IndianFrench

IndianFrench refers to the varieties and use of the French language in India, especially within the former French colonial enclave of Puducherry (Pondichéry) and among Indian Francophone communities. It encompasses historical Pondicherry French as well as contemporary French used in education, media, and daily life by bilingual speakers who may mix elements from local languages with standard French.

Historically, French presence in India began in the 17th century with settlements in Pondicherry, Karikal, Mahe, and Yanam. After the integration of these territories into the Indian Union in 1954, French remained a cultural and educational influence rather than a majority language. Puducherry retains institutions that promote French language and culture, including schools affiliated with the AEFE network and Alliance Française centres.

Linguistically, Indian French is characterized by contact with local languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Speakers often code-switch between French and Indian languages; there are lexical borrowings and sometimes phonetic adaptations. In formal settings, standard French is taught and used in administration and education, while informal speech in everyday life may reflect local influence.

Today, Indian French remains a minority but active component of India's linguistic landscape. French-language education, cultural exchange programs, and tourism support continue to sustain it, particularly in Puducherry. The term IndianFrench is used in academic contexts to describe this field of study, which intersects with Indo-French history and the broader Francophonie.