More and more young people are abandoning French in favour of other languages or forms of expression. Understanding why helps parents, teachers and decision-makers to take action. Here are 7 clear reasons for this trend.
1) Influence of social
networks Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube impose short formats and a globalized vocabulary. Young people adopt anglicisms and international turns of phrase to follow trends, often to the detriment of a neat French.
2) Dominance of English in pop
culture Series, movies, music and video games are mostly in English. Continued exposure pushes young people to favour English to consume and communicate, reducing the active use of French.
3) Disconnected
teaching methods In some schools, the teaching of French remains too theoretical. Students want interaction, concrete projects and digital content — the lack of innovative pedagogies distances them from the language.
4) Multilingualism and mobility
Travel, study abroad and international work encourage the use of English or other languages. French is sometimes perceived as less useful on the world market, especially in certain sectors.
5) Social pressure and identity
For some young people, speaking English or adopting a mixed language is a marker of belonging to a global community. French may seem more “formal” or less modern.
6) Impoverishment of written
vocabulary The intensive use of short messages, emojis and abbreviations leads to a loss of writing habits in French. Grammatical rules and rich vocabulary are less practiced in everyday life.
7) Lack of attractive models in French
There are fewer influencers, creators and celebrities who produce popular content in French than those in English. Without French-speaking inspirational figures, young people look elsewhere for their linguistic reference.
Acting to reverse the trend requires practical solutions: modernizing education, promoting French-language creation online, encouraging media and brands to produce in accessible and contemporary French. Fostering digital spaces where French is alive, creative and useful will help reconnect young people with their language.
The survival of French depends as much on public policies as on cultural and educational choices — everyone can contribute by promoting a modern French adapted to digital uses.
