French is the sixth most spoken language in the world, with over 310 million speakers. It’s an official language in 28 countries in Europe, Africa, and North America. Operating a business on a global scale means there’s a good chance you’ll encounter French.

But which French? With so many different varieties of it around the world, answering this question isn’t as simple as it sounds.  

At Lingualinx, as a Language Service Provider (LSP), we work with clients to help them integrate their business, brand or product into French markets. We understand that it’s not always easy; understanding the linguistic nuances of different types of French markets (the Democratic Republic of Congo is very different to Quebec in Canada or the Occitanie region of France) can be complicated.

But, if you have a high-level understanding of the breakdown of the language and its dialects, you’ll have the knowledge to work with your LSP and gain traction in any French-speaking territory. Here’s a quick guide to get you going with what you need to know.

Get the Dialect Right

Numerous dialects of French are spoken in different areas of the world. Each can be quite nuanced, so it needs careful attention. Getting it right can be the difference between speaking to the locals, like a local, or looking like a business that doesn’t care about their culture, just their money.

Here’s a quick rundown of the main versions of French spoken worldwide:

• Parisian French – It’s estimated there are 75 regional languages in France, but Parisian, or standard, French is the official version.
• Canadian French – Spoken predominantly in the province of Quebec, it's also known as Quebecois. This is dialect is spoken in bi-ingual (English and French) Canada and is a less formal style of French.
• Belgian French – A slight offshoot of Parisian French, in Belgium 40% of the population speak this dialect, which is often more intuitive to people new to the language.
• Congolese French – Similar to Belgian French, a result of Belgium’s rule for most of the first half of the 20th century, but still its own distinctive version. It's influenced by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s four other main languages – Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, and Swahili.
• Swiss French – After German, French is the second most widely spoken language in Switzerland, with Swiss French aligning closely to Parisian and Belgian French.
• Algerian French – This dialect is spoken in the North African countries of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon and is a mixture of Arabic and French.

Get Specific About Your Audience

Each of these main types of French then drills down into further dialects and subdialects depending on how regionally you look at things.

For example, the Library of Congress states that “while French remains the sole national language of France, there are dozens of regional languages that are officially recognized by the government. These include Alsatian, Basque, Breton, Catalan, Corsican, Francoprovençal, Occitan, and the languages d’oil, a dialect continuum composed of several northern dialects.”

So, if you can, we always suggest going to that subdialect level where you’re not speaking to a country or region but to a culture or community. This is called localizing and becomes the basis of…

Your Localization Strategy

Your localization strategy requires on-the-ground research. The right LSP to partner will work with you to understand your goals and put a team in place to decide on what is going to resonate with your audience.

A good LSP will have linguists with local knowledge to help not only translate, or transcreate in the case of marketing and advertising material, your content, but also advise on how the area likes to embrace new products or businesses.

Take Quebec, Canada, for example. If this is your new market, then the linguists translating your material will take a less formal approach embracing slang and writing in a style where the grammar is more relaxed than European versions of French.

They’ll use nouns, verbs and terms that are unique to Quebec having been developed over centuries of living alongside English and indigenous populations.

C’est ça!

That’s it! Whether you’re moving into a French-speaking area or you’re taking on a workforce that uses French as its primary language, success can be down to a few key factors that are within your control.

If you take the time to understand your audience and what dialect of French they speak, drill down into the culture and subdialect of those people, and partner with the right LSP, then you’ll put your business, brand, or product in the best position for success.

Get a Quote for Your Localization Needs

Understanding the different French dialects and local cultures is key to connecting with your audience in a genuine way. Whether you’re reaching out to customers in Quebec, France, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, using the right version of French can make all the difference.

At LinguaLinx, we make this process easy for you. With over 20 years of experience, we help businesses succeed in French-speaking markets. Our translations are accurate, culturally relevant, and meet the highest industry standards—backed by our ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 certifications. You can trust us to get your message across clearly and effectively.

If you’re ready to explore new French-speaking markets, we’re here to help. Schedule a free consultation today, and let’s create a localization plan that sets your business up for success.