Walloon

Walloon is a Romance language spoken in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. It is one of the three official languages of Belgium alongside French and Dutch, and is also recognized as a regional language of France. Walloon is a descendant of Latin and is closely related to French. The exact number of Walloon speakers is unknown, but estimates range from 20,000 to 1.5 million. Most speakers of Walloon live in Belgium, where it is an official language in the Walloon Region and in the German-speaking Community of Belgium. Walloon is also spoken in a few villages in the French départements of Ardennes, Meuse, and Namur. In Luxembourg, Walloon is an official language of communication alongside Luxembourgish and French. Walloon is an endangered language, as its use is in decline in all of the areas where it is spoken. This is due in part to the increasing use of French and Dutch in Belgium, and the increasing use of English in Luxembourg. However, there are efforts underway to revive the use of Walloon, particularly in Belgium. If you're interested in learning Walloon, there are a few resources available. The best place to start is the website of the Association de la Langue Wallonne, which offers resources and classes for learners of all levels. For more advanced learners, the Walloon Language Institute offers online courses.