What Language Is Spoken in Corsica? Corsican, French and Other Languages
A quick fact guide to the languages of Corsica, covering Corsican, French, Ligurian, Greek, media, education, identity, language policy and language loss.
How to use this guide
Browse the facts in order or use the search box to find a specific topic such as Corsican, French, Ligurian, Greek, bilingual schools, media, UNESCO or Napoleon.
What this guide includes
This page keeps the original fact-by-fact structure, but presents it in a cleaner, searchable and mobile-friendly layout.
Search by fact, language, place or topic.
Corsican’s linguistic classification
Corsican, an Italo-Dalmatian language closely related to Italian, is the language of the Corsican people.
Greek-speaking community in Cargèse
In the town of Carghjese / Cargèse in northern Corsica, there was a community of Greek speakers well into the 20th century.
Bonifacio’s Ligurian heritage
In Bunifazziu / Bunifaziu / Bonifacio in southern Corsica, a variant of Ligurian, Bunifazzin / Bonifacino, is the town’s traditional language.
Official language in Corsica
French is the only official language of Corsica.
Corsican at the University of Corsica
The University of Corsica, based in Corti / Corte in the north of Corsica, offers all its students the opportunity to learn Corsican.
Bilingual schooling on the island
There are bilingual Corsican and French schools in Corsica.
Corsican on the radio
There are various radio stations which broadcast in Corsican, such as Alta Frequenza and Frequenza Mora.
Regional TV: Corse Via Stella
Corse Via Stella is the regional TV channel for Corsica broadcasting programmes in both French and Corsican.
Corsican in the press
The daily newspaper Corse Matin, although mainly in French, publishes articles in Corsican.
Ajaccio variety and Ligurian influence
The variant of Corsican spoken in the capital city of Aiacciu / Ajaccio has historically had a Ligurian influence.
UNESCO status
According to UNESCO, Corsican is considered an endangered language.
Corsican Wikipedia milestone (2003)
The launch of the Corsican language version of Wikipedia occurred in 2003.
‘Festa di a Lingua Corsa’
A Festa di a Lingua Corsa, an event which celebrates Corsican, takes place every year.
Bilingualism rates (2021)
According to a document published by A Culletività di Corsica in 2021, 30% of Corsicans consider themselves bilingual in Corsican and French.
Triple toponymy
Place names in Corsica usually have three versions — one in French, one in Italian and one in Corsican.
Corsican on Google Translate
Google Translate includes Corsican as one of its languages.
Language and identity (99%)
According to a document published by A Culletività di Corsica, 99% of Corsicans consider the Corsican language part of Corsican identity.
Music consumption in Corsican
Music in Corsican is popular in Corsica. According to the Inchiesta Sociolinguistica Nant’à a Lingua Corsa (2013), 93% of Corsicans listen to music in Corsican.
Calvi variety and Ligurian influence
The variant of Corsican spoken in Calvi in northwest Corsica has historically had a Ligurian influence.
Shared Tuscan roots
Corsican and Italian derive from Tuscan, spoken in Tuscany, Italy.
Other languages on the island
According to the Inchiesta Sociolinguistica Nant’à a Lingua Corsa (2013), after French and Corsican, Portuguese and Arabic are the most spoken languages in Corsica.
Corsican in cinema
A film partially in Corsican, Un Prophète, was nominated for an Academy Award in 2010.
Constitutional constraints in France
According to the Constitution of France, French is the only official language of the state, impeding the official recognition of other languages in France, such as Corsican.
2013 symbolic co-officiality vote
In 2013, the Assamblea di Corsica symbolically voted to make Corsican an official language.
Endonym: Corsu
Corsican in Corsican is Corsu.
North–south variants
There are two main variants of the Corsican language, one spoken in the north of Corsica and another spoken in the south.
Orthographic differences
The two main variants of Corsican have slightly different spelling conventions.
Napoleon’s first language
One of France’s most well-known leaders is Napoleon. Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica; his native language was Corsican.
Language shift toward French
Due to the ongoing process of language loss in Corsica, French is the most spoken and well-known language on the island.
Bilingual signage
Bilingual, Corsican and French signage is commonplace in Corsica.
Family use of Corsican (2013)
According to the Inchiesta Sociolinguistica Nant’à a Lingua Corsa (2013), 54% of Corsicans use Corsican with their family.
Quick facts
Languages in Corsica FAQ
What is the official language of Corsica?
French is the only official language of Corsica.
What is Corsican?
Corsican, an Italo-Dalmatian language closely related to Italian, is the language of the Corsican people.
Is Corsican taught in Corsica?
The University of Corsica, based in Corti / Corte in the north of Corsica, offers all its students the opportunity to learn Corsican. There are also bilingual Corsican and French schools in Corsica.
Is Corsican used in the media?
There are radio stations which broadcast in Corsican, Corse Via Stella broadcasts programmes in both French and Corsican, and Corse Matin publishes articles in Corsican.
What is Corsican called in Corsican?
Corsican in Corsican is Corsu.
Is bilingual signage common in Corsica?
Bilingual, Corsican and French signage is commonplace in Corsica.