Prantsuse

Prantsuse is the Estonian term for things related to France or the French language. It is used to refer to the French language (Prantsuse keel), to people from France, and to culture, institutions, or products associated with France.

The French language is a Romance language in the Indo-European family. It developed from Latin, notably from the Gallo-Romance dialects in northern Gaul, and spread through literature, administration, and later colonization. Modern standard French is largely based on the varieties of the Paris region. It uses the Latin alphabet and has numerous dialects and regional varieties; many learners study it as a second language. French is spoken across continents and forms a core part of the Francophone world.

Geographically, French is an official language in France and many other countries. It is widely used in Europe, Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia. It is a native language in France, parts of Belgium and Switzerland, and in Canada (especially Quebec), among other regions, and it serves as a major language of international diplomacy and organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union.

Cultural influence and institutions associated with Prantsuse are broad. French literature, philosophy, cinema, and cuisine have global impact. The Académie Française governs aspects of language usage, though orthographic reforms and regional variations continue to evolve. In education, French is taught worldwide, contributing to a large, diverse Francophone community.