The incredible vitality of French in Mauritius: between colonial heritage and multiculturalism
In Mauritius, there is incredible linguistic vitality. If English is the language of institutions and administration, after Creole, French is the most spoken on the island. This astonishing situation is explained by a unique colonial heritage and by the cultural melting pot that characterizes Mauritius.
The presence of the French in Mauritius dates back to the 18th century. The island was then known as “Isle de France”. Despite the British conquest in 1810, French managed to maintain its place in the daily lives of Mauritians. Today, according to the International Organization of La Francophonie, around three-quarters of the Mauritian population can express themselves in French.
This linguistic coexistence is reflected not only in daily life, but also in the fields of business and education. Many people, like Dan Maraye, former governor of the Bank of Mauritius, use French in their professional exchanges, even if they were trained in an English-speaking academic approach. This shows that French is perceived as a prestigious and valued language in Mauritius.
But this linguistic situation goes beyond the sole use of French. In fact, Mauritians often juggle several international languages. English is also very present, particularly in the administrative and political fields. In addition, Creole, the mother tongue of nearly 90% of Mauritians, coexists with the two previous languages.
This multilingualism is due to the ethnic and cultural diversity of Mauritius. The ancestors of the current inhabitants come from India, Africa, Europe and China, which has favored a mixture of languages and cultures. This multicultural richness is found in Mauritian French, which borrows words and expressions from different languages, notably English and Creole. This creates a true linguistic fusion which contributes to the specificity of the language spoken in Mauritius.
But this influence of other languages on French is not always well perceived. Some French purists deplore the use of “false amis” and anglicisms in Mauritian French, considering that this distorts the language. However, for many Mauritians, this appropriation of English terms happens naturally and is part of a form of linguistic enrichment.
Ultimately, the vitality of French in Mauritius is a reflection of a plural identity and the ability of Mauritians to navigate between multiple cultures and languages. French remains an important language in Mauritian society, reflecting the island’s colonial heritage and multiculturalism. It is a true linguistic wealth to be preserved and celebrated.