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Do people still speak German in Alsace?
The official language of Alsace is French. That makes sense, as it’s in France. German, however, is taught in all schools, simply because the proximity to Germany means it’s a very practical necessity.
Are French and Germans similar?
So, are French and German similar? French and German have similarities in vocabulary, and have a high lexical count. However, they are not close languages, because overall they remain significantly distinct from each other. From pronunciation to grammar rules, French and German are not closely related.
Is Alsace Lorraine still German?
Alsace-Lorraine, Area, eastern France. It is now usually considered to include the present-day French departments of Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, and Moselle. The area was ceded by France to Germany in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War.
Does French sound like German?
French sounds me quite catala, rather than german. So its phonetic is closer to latin languages like spanish than germanic ones. As far as the vowel sounds of the languages considered are concerned, many are common to French and German AND are absent in Spanish.
Why is Alsace French?
Alsace is a region in north-eastern France that borders Switzerland and Germany. The region has been passed between French and German control several times since 1681, when Strasbourg was conquered by French forces. As a result, Alsatian culture is a unique mix of French and German influences.
Are people from Alsace-Lorraine German?
Because of its ancient German associations and because of its large German-speaking population, Alsace-Lorraine was incorporated into the German Empire after France’s defeat in the Franco-German War (1870–71). Confluence of the branches of the Ill River, Strasbourg, Grand Est région, France.
What is the capital of Alsace?
Strasbourg
The economic and cultural capital of Alsace, as well as its largest city, is Strasbourg, which sits right on the contemporary German international border.
Is Alsace part of France or Germany?
Although Alsace is part of France, its borders have not always been clear. The region has been passed between French and German control several times since 1681, when Strasbourg was conquered by French forces. As a result, Alsatian culture is a unique mix of French and German influences.
Why don’t people in Alsace speak Alsatian?
But it’s not because people in Alsace don’t know it. And there are all sorts of reasons why someone in Alsace may choose to speak or not speak Alsatian. If the person was alive during World War Two, they definitely speak Alsatian and German. They may speak French. And they may not speak it very well.
What is the difference between Alsace and Lorraine?
First, Alsace and Lorraine are two different regions. Over the centuries, they switched back and forth between France and Germany. During WWII, when my mother-in-law and father-in-law were children, Lorraine (and Alsace) were invaded and occupied by the Germans. The people were told they were now citizens, living in the new French State of Germany.
What are some interesting facts about Alsace?
The region was then occupied once by Germany during the Second World War. During this time, people from Alsace were made German citizens by decree from the Nazi government. A complex history to say the least. 2. Almost half of the regional population speaks Alsatian Alsatian is a Germanic dialect spoken in Alsace.