Lengadocian

Lengadocian, also referred to as Languedocian or lengadocien in Occitan, is a major dialect of the Occitan language. It is traditionally spoken in the Languedoc region of southern France and forms a central part of the Occitan linguistic continuum.

Geographic distribution and speakers: It has been historically spoken across most of the Languedoc area, within present-day Occitanie and adjacent areas. In modern times, its number of native speakers has declined, but there are active revival efforts and learner programs in regional communities, schools, media, and cultural associations.

Classification and features: It is one of the main varieties of Occitan, sharing core grammar and vocabulary with other Occitan dialects while preserving distinctive phonological and lexical traits. Dialectal variation exists within Lengadocian, with several subdialects used in different towns and valleys.

Writing and standardization: Historically, Lengadocian texts used the Mistral orthography; today, many writers use the standardized Occitan orthography promoted by the Institut d'Estudis Occitans, alongside regionally favored spellings. Occitan has a rich medieval heritage, and Lengadocian varieties contributed to the troubadour tradition.

See also: Occitan language.