1. French

2. National languages

3. Foreign languages

4. References

Of the Beninese languages, Fon (a Gbe language) and Yoruba are the most important in the south of the country. In the north there are half a dozen regionally important languages, including Bariba (once counted as a Gur language) and Fulfulde.

Education for the deaf in Benin uses American Sign Language, introduced by the deaf American missionary Andrew Foster.

The multilingual character of Beninese society is characterized by the number of languages spoken, ethno-linguistic diversity, stratification of language use (whereby French is used officially and other languages used in other spheres of activity), and by the fact that many Beninese are polyglots.^[3]

French

The only official language of Benin is French, according to title I, article I of the Constitution of Benin. According to Ethnologue, it is spoken by 3.8 million people (2016) out of more the total population of more than 10 million. For the majority of French speakers in Benin it is the second language.^[3]

It is important to know French to get an administrative position or work in the cities in general, and speaking it is a mark of prestige. According to a study by Amadou Sanni and Mahouton Atodjinou in 2012, it is estimated that Benin will be completely Francophone by 2060. The authors note that, in 2002, 43 percent of men spoke the language compared to 25.8 percent of women. In 2002, more than half of the residents of Cotonou spoke French.^[4] French was introduced during the colonial period and retained as the official language upon independence. Today it is an important lingua franca between diverse ethnic groups.^[5]

Most printed media outlets are in French and not the indigenous languages. The Constitution grants freedom of expression. Benin is a member of the Organisation internationale de la francophonie.^[6] The region of Benin Gi-Mono is a member of the International Association of Francophone regions.^[7]

A unique variety of French called français d'Afrique has developed in the streets and markets of Cotonou. Grammatical structures are typically borrowed from the speaker's first language. It is especially the conjugation rules that have been changed the most, especially the less common forms like the literary style. It has an almost argotic character.^[5]

National languages

According to title II, article 11 of the Constitution, All communities comprising the Béninese nation shall enjoy the freedom to use their spoken and written languages and to develop their own culture while respecting those of others, and the State must promote the development of national languages of intercommunication.

Other important languages are Yoruba, Bariba, Mina and Yom.^[9] Benin implemented a National Literacy and Adult Education Policy, which allowed adult speakers of national languages to use their languages for cultural advancement.^[10]

In the capital of Porto Novo, the two main ethnoliguistic groups are Yoruba and Gouin, with the smaller population of Wemi, Seto, Tori, Xwala, Defi, and Tofin speakers. Yoruba newspapers from neighboring Nigeria are popular.^[3]

Foreign languages

German is also taught in many Beninese secondary schools.

References

• Thayige Thakka Maga
• Thayigintha Devarilla
• Thayi Karulu
• Thayikkundam river
• Thayikkundam River
• Thayil John Cherian
• Thayiya Madilalli
• Thayiya Madilu
• Thayland
• Thaymara Rivas
• Thaymastiko
• Thaynakwith language
• Thayne Forbes
• Thaynes Formation
• Thaynes Group
• Thaynes Limestone
• Thayngen station
• Thay Pagoda
• Thaypan languages
• Thay Temple
• Thayumanavar Temple, Rockfort
• Thayunhth language
• Thayyeni
• Thazata
• Thazhakkara