A bilingual French-Monégasque street sign

The official language of Monaco is French, but there are several languages spoken, including Monégasque, the national language of the Monegasque people.

[edit] French

French is the only official language in Monaco, a result of the dominant role France has long had over the microstate (see Franco-Monegasque Treaty) since Napoleon times.

French nationals make up 47% of the population, forming the principality's largest population group (larger than even Monegasque nationals).

[edit] Monégasque

Monégasque is the national language of the Monegasque people (who represent only 16% of the total population). It is a dialect of Ligurian, somewhat similar to Italian.

Because the Monégasques are only a minority in Monaco, Monégasque was threatened with extinction in the 1970s. But the language is now being taught in schools, and its continuance is regarded as secured. In the old part of Monaco, the street signs are marked with Monégasque in addition to French.

At his coronation, Albert II, Prince of Monaco, made a speech to his people in the language.

[edit] Italian

Standard Italian is also a major language in Monaco. Italian nationals make up some 16% of the total population.

Italian was official language of Monaco when was a Protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia (from 1814 to 1861).^[1].

[edit] Occitan

Occitan (or Lenga d'òc) has also traditionally been spoken in Monaco (particularly when it covered a larger geographical territory), but it is rarely used today.

[edit] English

There is also an English-speaking community in Monaco, and many English-speaking tourists and vacationers visit the city.

[edit] Other

Some 125 nationalities make up the population of Monaco, meaning that a very wide variety of languages are spoken by the 21% of the population which is not French, Italian, or Monegasque.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ History of Monaco

[edit] See Also

• Monegasque
• Outline of Monaco
• History of Monaco