Picard language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Picard |
|
|---|---|
| ch'ti, ch'timi, rouchi | |
| Native to | France, Belgium |
| Region | Hauts-de-France, Hainaut |
| Native speakers | 700,000 (1998) |
| Language family | |
| Dialects |
North
South
|
| Writing system | Latin script |
| Official status | |
| Official language in | None |
| Recognised minority language in |  Belgium (recognised by the French Community of Belgium) |
| Linguasphere | 51-AAA-he |
Picard is a special Romance language spoken in parts of northern France and southern Belgium. It is one of the langues d'oïl, which are a group of languages that developed from Latin in northern France.
This language has many different names depending on where it is spoken. In most of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, people call it ch'ti or ch'timi. Near the city of Valenciennes, it's known as Rouchi, and close to Roubaix, it's called Roubaignot. In the Picardy region, it's often just called patois, which means a local dialect. Everywhere else, it's simply known as Picard.
How Many People Speak Picard?
In 1998, about 700,000 people spoke Picard as their main language. This shows that while it might not be as widely known as French, it's still an important language for many communities.
What Are Langues d'oïl?
Picard belongs to a group of languages called the Langues d'oïl. These languages grew out of the Latin spoken by the Romans in northern France. Over time, they changed and became different from each other. Modern French is also a Langue d'oïl, but Picard has its own unique sounds and words.
Images for kids
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This map shows where Picard (including Chti, Rouchi, and other names) is spoken.
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A sign in the Picard language at a cafe in Cayeux-sur-Mer.
See also
In Spanish: Picardo para niños
