French in Africa

French has been subject of various appropriations at varying degrees. Initially considered as a language of work and survival in the colonies, it became a widely valued heritage at the time of independence, and its importance remains firm till date. French has also spread to multilingual social spaces where populations use multiple languages, including French, in a variety of social activities. This language is integral to everyday life. In this text, the authors examine the status of French, its appropriation, and its presence in Africa with the main focus in Sub-Saharan Africa where French is an official language, contrary to three countries of the North Africa.