Is French on the decline

Since you ignore the truth "Spanish reality check" (my #1 copier) about horrible condition of your "French Africa", look here. These lists and maps use info from the IMF, World Bank, CIA, and HDI.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index

Athough most Latin American coutries are obviously not as high as the US or Europe (most other places aren't) they are certainly higher than French Africa - THE POOREST!

<< Ahhhh, he we go. Sorry but I'm from the US and not a hispanic. My background is German and Irish and I live in the Mid-West. Let me clarify my point for you. The "2 million" French speakers in the US make up LESS THAN 1% of the population! How can you say this is very important? Many more people Speak Spanish and even Chinese has passed French by some accounts. Also, many of these French speakers in LA speak a creole version. There is no single "large" Francophone community. They are spead out in certain counties. I'm not denying that "some" people speak French here. My point is that there are not enough to claim any importance for your "Francophonie". >>

No, You're a hispanic pretending to be an American.

I'm not insisting Francophonie on the US but the link that I have gotten shows why US is eligible for that organization.

Moon joined Hispanidad sin dignidad today.

www.moonnews.com/hispanidad_sin_dignidad.html

The poorest American country is Haiti and speaks French.

<< Holy See
The Holy See is officially designated as a francophone in international forums. It uses French as the official diplomatic language. >>

Now this would make the hispanic fanatics in this forum wet and poo on their pants out of envy.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Non-member of Francophonie with Francophone Communities

United States
The United States has no official language constitutionally defined at the federal level, although English is predominant and required in many acts of civil life, with the exception of some states or counties where francophone communities are more present. Language teaching is not binding for residents while learning English is a necessary condition for obtaining U.S. citizenship (such rules depend on the state of residence, where other languages are also used locally such as Spanish or German, and are officially unilingual or bilingual). Language teaching is not binding for residents while learning English is a necessary condition for obtaining U.S. citizenship (such rules depend on the state of residence, where other languages are also used locally such as Spanish or German, and are officially Unilingual or bilingual).

The right to expression in his native language is recognized by the law to use interpreters, particularly in court documents. The right to expression in his native language is recognized by the law to use interpreters, particularly in court documents. The historic legislation are not all written in English, and that they remain at the discretion of judges, the use of jurisprudence are often more frequent and stronger than the laws.

The State of Louisiana in its Constitution recognizes the right to the use of French in civil acts, including the acquisition of citizenship (in other states, Spanish is also allowed, and is almost mandatory Puerto Rico). The State of Louisiana in its Constitution recognizes the right to the use of French in civil acts, including the acquisition of citizenship (in other states, Spanish is also allowed, and is almost mandatory Puerto Rico). The Francophone community is also important in California and New York. The question of membership in La Francophonie of the States of Louisiana, and Maine and Vermont (where francophones are many) is discussed, but is problematic because many other linguistic communities exist in all states, and charter La Francophonie poses problems related to conflict of interest with the federal policy that affect all States.

In fact, only Puerto Rico has a constitutionally approved status for a language other than English, because it has a broader autonomy. In fact, only Puerto Rico has a constitutionally approved status for a language other than English, because it has a broader autonomy. For other states, the federal government a veto on the accession of States to linguistic communities recognized as the United States are made of a mosaic of many languages (including Aboriginal), which therefore would all get a status Special recognition. Indeed, the current situation leads to the status quo, and no state or the federal government has so far expressed the wish to join the official Francophonie, not even as an observer.

Algeria
Algeria is the second French-speaking country in the world after France. There are also a problem relating to its independence conflict with France. For Algeria, the French language is a rich cultural legacy of colonialism and therefore does not accept French protectorate on this legacy or the use of the language for purposes protectorales, although the OIF is completely independent of French Government, whose weight in decisions is weak against other francophone African countries all in the organization. However, Algeria has participated in the Francophonie summit in Quebec in 2008, as a guest of honor.

Israel
Nearly twenty percent of the Israeli population could speak French, according to some statistical. Nearly twenty percent of the Israeli population could speak French, according to some statistical. Many Israelis are of French or French-Maghrebi. Many Israelis are of French or French-Maghrebi. Several Israeli personalities have expressed their desire to improve relations with la Francophonie.

However, this is a Francophonie which does not recur, the vast majority of descendants of these immigrants n'apprenant not French at school. In 2002, only 55 miles students learned French, less than 10% of the total students, against for example, nearly 80% in Lebanon (most often as the first foreign language) and 100% in Syria, where French became mandatory in 2003.

However, one of the major difficulties for accession would be the traditional hostility of Arab countries members of the organization, particularly because of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2006, Canada is one of the only countries that supported the Israeli claims within the OIF.

In 2007, the CRIF has taken the initiative to ask the politicians to support the entry of Israel in the Francophonie. In 2007, the CRIF has taken the initiative to ask the politicians to support the entry of Israel in the Francophonie. Several presidential candidates have supported the French, including François Bayrou, Corinne Lepage, Ségolène Royal and Nicolas Sarkozy.

Amapa
It is estimated about 20 miles to the number of speakers of Creole Amapa, in French base in the capital region Macapa, testimony of a former French presence in the region, the territory has often been disputed between France and Brazil. It is estimated about 20 miles to the number of speakers of Creole Amapa, in French base in the capital region Macapa, testimony of a former French presence in the region, the territory has often been disputed between France and Brazil.

The Brazilian state of Amapa has made in 1999 required the teaching of French in public schools, following a 1998 federal law requiring public schools in the country to teach at least one foreign language. The Brazilian state of Amapa has made in 1999 required the teaching of French in public schools, following a 1998 federal law requiring public schools in the country to teach at least one foreign language.

The choice of Amapa for French reflects a desire for rapprochement with French Guiana, neighbor or even a desire for isolation, given the isolation for geographical reasons for this state from the rest of Brazil .

Holy See
The Holy See is officially designated as a francophone in international forums. It uses French as the official diplomatic language.

Italy
French is an official language in the Val d'Aosta.

Translated into English from the link: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisation_internationale_de_la_francophonie

<< No, You're a hispanic pretending to be an American. >>

No! You're an stuborn French lover how automatically labels people "hispanic" when they say something you don't like and can't argue. It's like talking to a brick wall.

Informer, did you know that LESS THAN 4% of the population of Louisiana speak (creole) French? LESS THEN 1% of the total US population. It just shows how unimportant French is in the US.

<< No! You're an stuborn French lover how automatically labels people "hispanic" when they say something you don't like and can't argue. It's like talking to a brick wall.

Informer, did you know that LESS THAN 4% of the population of Louisiana speak (creole) French? LESS THEN 1% of the total US population. It just shows how unimportant French is in the US. >>

For your information it's Cajun French not Creole, you ignorant!

I always enjoy seeing threads like this. It's nice to see Westerners showing some spunk/pride in their heritage, instead of the usual politically-correct shame/guilt -- maybe there's still hope for the West.

French is the language of petanque. Spanish is not the language of any international sport.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie
============================

History
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) was established in 1967 in the city of Luxembourg (it was originally "International Association of French Speaking Parliamentarians).

The APF aims to establish the link between democratic institutions and French peoples. It is a place of debate, proposals and exchange of information on all subjects of common interest to its members. It initiates and implements actions in the areas of interparliamentary cooperation and development of democracy.

The APF owes its birth to the leadership of President Léopold Sédar Senghor of Senegal, which declared in February 1966: "These are people who, through their elected governments to push forward. Should be collected in an interparliamentary association parliaments of all countries where people speak French. "

In this spirit, and at the initiative of Xavier Deniau, France UNR member, was held in Luxembourg in May 1967, the constituent assembly. Bringing together delegates from twenty-three parliaments in Europe, Africa, America and Asia, this meeting was a great success. It placed its Chairman Victor Bodson, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, while Xavier Deniau was appointed Secretary General of Parliament.

Mere association, originally French-speaking parliamentarians, it turned into assembly at its seventeenth meeting held in Paris in July 1989.

APF has played a key role in establishing political forums of the Francophonie. Since its inception, it called for the holding of the summit executive of French-speaking countries, which first took place in Paris in 1986. It is also the APF has advocated the creation of an intergovernmental francophone desire realized through the creation, at the Niamey Conference in 1970, the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation - today International Organization of la Francophonie which APF has become an integrated institution.

Role in Francophone institutions
The logo of the Francophonie symbolizing the five continents.Au as the political architecture of the Francophonie took shape, the APF has sought to achieve recognition of its role privileged, including screws Thread:

- Of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of French shares ( "Francophone Summit"), which meets every two years and is the highest policy;
- The Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF), which meets once a year the ministers responsible for Francophone countries and communities and members of the Summits is a link between them;
- Standing Council of Francophony (CPF), which was established by the Chaillot Summit in November 1991 to prepare the decisions of summits and monitoring. The CPF is also responsible for the animation and control of major operators of the Francophonie.

A first important step was taken at the third Summit held in Dakar in 1989, which adopted a resolution recognizing "the prominent role that the APF only interparliamentary organization of francophone countries, plays in the construction and development de la francophonie. "

The process of recognition of the APF has found its culmination in the Summit of Mauritius, which has granted him the status of "Consultative Assembly of the Francophonie". This recognition has been gained only after an extensive overhaul of its structures and its rules, endorsed by its General Assembly meeting in Libreville in July 1993.

In order to enable it to perform specific new responsibilities conferred this status Consultative Assembly, the APF has expressed a desire for clarification of the relations uniting with other political bodies of La Francophonie. This desire was taken into account when reforming the institutions of La Francophonie, reform that led to the drafting of a Charter, approved at the Marrakesh Ministerial Conference in December 1996 and finally adopted by the Summit in Hanoi in November 1997.

This document provides, with regard to the APF:

- Mutual transmission of information, decisions, reports and other documents of the APF, the Summits and all instances of la Francophonie;
- The participation of representatives of APF on specific topics in the Summits of the CMF and CPF;
- The participation of representatives of the CMF and CPF in the work of the APF and its committees.
Is created, in addition, a joint commission APF-CPF, which meets at least twice a year, and a joint commission APF-CMF, which meets at least once a year. This entire device, which responds to the wishes expressed by the APF, is likely to enable it to fully play its role in the future within the francophone.

Sections 49 members:
The Island of Jersey (-)
Benin,
Burkina Faso,
Burundi,
Cambodia,
Cameroon,
Canada,
the Canton of Jura (Switzerland) (-)
Cape Verde,
the French Community of Belgium,
the Union of Comoros,
Congo (Brazzaville)
Côte d'Ivoire,
Djibouti,
Egypt,
France,
Gabon,
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,
Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau
Equatorial Guinea,
Haiti,
Laos,
Lebanon,
Madagascar,
Mali,
Morocco,
Mauritius,
Mauritania (suspended section)
Niger,
the Principality of Monaco,
Manitoba (Canada) (-)
The Province of New Brunswick (Canada)
The province of Nova Scotia (Canada) (-)
Ontario (Canada) (-)
the province of Quebec (Canada)
the Autonomous Region of Val-d'Aoste (Italy) (-)
the Syrian Arab Republic (-)
Central African Republic,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) (suspended section)
Rwanda,
Senegal,
Seychelles,
Switzerland,
Chad,
Togo,
Tunisia,
Vanuatu and
Vietnam.

16 Associate Parliaments:
Albania,
Bulgaria,
the Canton of Geneva (Switzerland) (-)
the canton of Valais (Switzerland) (-)
Canton Vaud (Switzerland) (-)
Hungary,
Moldova,
Poland,
The Principality of Andorra
Alberta (Canada) (-)
the province of British Columbia (Canada) (-)
The Province of Prince Edward Island (Canada) (-)
the province of Saskatchewan (Canada) (-)
European Parliament (-)
the Republic of Macedonia and
Romania.

9 observers:
Armenia,
Louisiana State (USA) (-)
The state of Maine (USA) (-)
Lithuania,
Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (-)
The Republic of Georgia
Benelux Parliament(-)
The Czech Republic
Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (-).

Organization and meetings
The AIPLF operates at two levels:

- The international level,
- The regional level (Europe, America, Africa).

At the international level, the main body is the General Assembly which meets once a year. The Assembly heard and questioned the Secretary General of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF), former Senegalese president Abdou Diouf. The Assembly deals with issues previously discussed by four committees that hold meetings between their general meetings. These committees are:

- Political Committee and general administration
- The Committee on Education, Communication and Cultural Affairs
- The Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
- The Committee on cooperation and development.

A Board directs the work of the Assembly. It has 17 members.

The secretariat is in Paris at 235, Boulevard St-Germain.

Translated from the link http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembl%C3%A9e_parlementaire_de_la_francophonie

<<French is the language of petanque. Spanish is not the language of any international sport. >>

How about bullfighting?

French is the language of petanque because only elderly people play petanque. French = old people, past, demodé.

Spanish is the language of because only people with animal instinct do the bullfihting. Hispanics = Irrational, Animal instinct, salvaje.

Excellent post Informer on Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:48 am GMT , that would shut the mouth of the hispanic fanatics in this forum. Imagine, believing the comments of those who made the blogs that French is in drastic decline.

What they don't know is that Spanish is the one that is plunging to the bottom most because it's splitting into numerous variants that will result into new hispanic languages like what happened to Latin(BTW, they call themselves Latino/a[s]) or end up as a macro-language like Chinese(what a coincidence the hispanic fanatics who keep on bashing the French language are the ones who keep on posting that Spanish and Chinese are the languages of the future.

I agree with those hispnofanatics that Spanish is the language of the future, the MACRO-LANGUAGE OF THE FUTURE joining the Chinese language.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!