Languages of Madagascar
Sign in Malagasy, French and English
OfficialMalagasy, French
RecognisedEnglish
SignedMalagasy Sign Language
Keyboard layout
French AZERTY
Signs in French in Antananarivo.

The Malagasy language, of Austronesian origin, is generally spoken throughout the island. The official languages of Madagascar are Malagasy and French. Madagascar is a Francophone country, and in 2022, French is spoken by around a quarter of the population in Madagascar, i.e. 7.7 million people out of 29.1 million (26.5%).[1]

In the first Constitution of 1958, Malagasy and French were named the official languages of the Malagasy Republic.[2]

No official languages were mentioned in the Constitution of 1992. Instead, Malagasy was named the national language; however, many sources still claimed that Malagasy and French were official languages, as they were de facto. In April 2000, a citizen brought a legal case on the grounds that the publication of official documents in the French language only was unconstitutional. The High Constitutional Court observed in its decision[3] that, in the absence of a language law, French still had the character of an official language.

In the Constitution of 2007, Malagasy remained the national language while official languages were reintroduced: Malagasy, French, and English. The motivation for the inclusion of English was partly to improve relations with the neighboring countries where English is used and to encourage foreign direct investment.[4] English was removed as an official language from the constitution approved by voters in the November 2010 referendum. These results were not recognized by the political opposition or the international community, who cited lack of transparency and inclusiveness in the organization of the election by the High Transitional Authority.[5]

Minority languages

Maore Comorian, also called Comorian, Comores Swahili, Komoro, Comoro, or Shimaore, has two dialects, Maore, and Shindzwani/Shindzuani. It is considered threatened by the Endangered Language Project.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Richard, Marcoux. "Estimation des populations francophones dans le monde en 2022" (PDF). Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (in French). Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  2. ↑ "Le malgache et le français sont les langues officielles de la République Malgache." Constitution, Titre I, Art. 2; Constitutional Law 14 October 1958.
  3. ↑ Haute Cour Constitutionnelle De Madagascar, Décision n°03-HCC/D2 Du 12 avril 2000
  4. ↑ Madagascar adopts English as official language Archived 2017-01-02 at the Wayback Machine, ClickAfrique.com, 10 April 2007.
  5. ↑ "Madagascar: La Crise a un Tournant Critique?". International Crisis Group. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2010-11-25.
  6. ↑ "Did you know Maore Comorian is threatened?". Endangered Languages. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
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