Written by Mira Bruce
On May 7, 2026, scholars, educators, authors, and advocates gathered in New York City at the International Organization of La Francophonie at the United Nations for an evening dedicated to one central idea: French is not a static language tied to one nation or one identity. It is living, changing, and constantly being reimagined across the world.
The event, French in Motion: Cross-Perspectives on the Francophonie Today, celebrated the publication of Le français autour de nous, la francophonie aux États-Unis, héritage et perspectives d’avenir (CALEC) alongside the 2026 edition of La langue française dans le monde. Through presentations and panel discussions, speakers explored the evolving realities of French in the United States, from Louisiana and New England to bilingual schools and immigrant communities, while also asking larger questions about identity, heritage, and belonging within today’s Francophone world.
The evening brought together an impressive group of scholars, educators, and leaders from across the Francophone world. The event opened with welcoming remarks from Michel Xavier Biang, followed by a presentation on the 2026 edition of La langue française dans le monde led by Mohamed Embarki in conversation with moderator Fabrice Jaumont. Jaumont also moderated the panel discussion for Le français autour de nous, Vol. 2, which featured perspectives from Claire-Marie Brisson on Francophone identity in the Rust Belt, Bertrand Tchoumi on building Francophone identity in bilingual schools through African-centered perspectives, John Tousignant on reclaiming Franco-American heritage, and Jessamine Irwin on teaching, learning, and living in French. Peggy Feehan also spoke on behalf of the Louisiana authors featured in the volume, emphasizing the continued vitality of the French language and culture in Louisiana. The evening concluded with audience discussion and closing remarks from Kathleen Stein-Smith.
One of the strongest themes throughout the evening was the idea that the French language and culture are constantly evolving. French is no longer viewed solely through the lens of metropolitan France; instead, the Francophone world increasingly recognizes the diversity of its speakers and experiences.
This evolution has also transformed the meaning of the word francophone. Traditionally, the term often referred to native speakers from historically French-speaking regions. Today, however, “francophone” has become far more expansive. It can include heritage speakers, bilingual students, immigrants, second-language learners, and individuals reconnecting with family histories that may have been lost or suppressed for generations.
The panelists emphasized that there is no single “correct” way to speak French or to belong to the Francophone community. Rather, the language exists through many accents, histories, and cultural experiences.
Several speakers reflected on the role of social media and digital culture in reshaping perceptions of the Francophone world, particularly among younger generations. Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have made it easier than ever for people to encounter French speakers from a wide range of countries and communities, from Senegal and Haiti to Québec, Louisiana, Belgium, and North Africa.
This increased visibility is changing attitudes toward linguistic diversity within French itself. One speaker discussed the shame that some Franco-American or Québécois speakers have historically felt because their accents or regional varieties of French were sometimes viewed as “lesser than” standard French associated with France. Yet the rise of global online communities has contributed to a growing acceptance and appreciation of different ways of speaking French.
Young people today are hearing and engaging with French from all around the world. As a result, many are developing a broader understanding of what French sounds like and who gets to claim a Francophone identity. Rather than striving to erase regional accents or cultural differences, many communities are now embracing them as valuable expressions of history and identity.
Another major topic of discussion was the renewed interest in French heritage among Americans, especially in regions with deep historical Francophone roots such as New England and Louisiana.
Speakers noted that recent waves of French-speaking immigration to the United States have helped some people already living in the country reconnect with their French heritage, language, or culture. For many families whose linguistic traditions faded over generations due to assimilation or social pressure, the presence of vibrant Francophone communities today has created new opportunities for rediscovery.
This process of reclamation was particularly evident in conversations surrounding Franco-American identity. Communities that once felt disconnected from their linguistic heritage are increasingly finding ways to preserve and revive it through schools, cultural organizations, and intergenerational programs.
The event also highlighted the growing popularity of French heritage language programs in New England. Supported by organizations such as Villa Albertine, these initiatives aim not only to teach French but also to encourage young people to engage with their cultural histories and identities.
Unlike traditional language programs that focus exclusively on grammar and fluency, heritage programs often emphasize personal connection and cultural belonging. Students are encouraged to see French not simply as an academic subject but as a living part of family stories, migration histories, and local communities.
Panelists stressed that these programs are especially important because they validate identities that were historically marginalized or overlooked. By recognizing regional and heritage forms of French as legitimate and meaningful, educators are helping students build confidence in their linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Beyond questions of identity and heritage, the evening also explored the personal and intellectual value of learning French. Speakers repeatedly returned to the idea that language shapes how people understand the world around them.
Learning French, they argued, is not only about communication; it is about gaining access to new perspectives, experiences, and relationships. Through French, students can connect with literature, history, film, music, and cultures from across multiple continents. The language opens doors to international opportunities while also deepening understanding of local communities and histories.
For many attendees, this idea captured the spirit of the event itself. French was presented not as a relic of the past, but as a dynamic, evolving force that continues to connect people across borders, generations, and identities.
The discussions throughout the evening demonstrated that the Francophonie today is defined by movement, exchange, and reinvention. From bilingual schools and heritage programs to online communities and renewed cultural pride, French in the United States is being continuously reshaped by those who speak it, learn it, and reclaim it.
What emerged most clearly from the event was a vision of the Francophone world rooted not in uniformity, but in plurality. The future of French does not belong to one country, one accent, or one definition of identity. Instead, it belongs to a global community of speakers whose diverse experiences continue to enrich and redefine the language itself.
