How Well Do You Know Provencal Vocabulary?

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Provencal is a Romance language spoken in southern France. It is part of the Occitan language family and has historically been one of its most influential variants. Today, as with other Occitan languages, the use of the Provencal language has declined and is limited to the region and not so in international or global contexts. There are only about two million Provencal speakers and most of those live in France’s Occitania and Provence areas, with smaller minorities in Italy and Spain.

By learning Provencal, you will not only develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of this language and the culture, but you may will also help in the revitalization of this dying language. Take our Provencal Vocabulary Quiz today and help revive the troubadour tradition!

Provencal, also known as Occitan, is a Romance language that originates from the region of Provence in southern France. It is part of the Occitan language family, which includes several other regional languages spoken in the Occitania region, encompassing areas of southern France, Monaco, northeastern Spain, and parts of Italy.

The Provencal language boasts a rich literary history dating back to the Middle Ages, with troubadours composing captivating poems and songs in the language. The Troubadour tradition, flourishing between the 11th and 14th centuries, established Provencal as a prestigious literary language and played a significant role in the development of European lyric poetry. Poetic forms such as the “canso” (love song) and “sirventes” (political or moral song) were crafted and celebrated by troubadours throughout the Occitan-speaking territories.

In addition to its literary legacy, the Provencal language has a distinct phonetic system characterized by its nasal vowels, which lend a melodic and evocative quality to the language. Over time, Provencal has evolved and diverged into various regional dialects, each with its own unique features and nuances. These dialectal differences showcase the linguistic richness and cultural diversity found within the Occitania region.

Despite its historical significance and cultural importance, the Provencal language faced challenges in the late Middle Ages and the early modern era, as French became the dominant language in the region. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Provencal and other Occitan languages as part of a broader movement to preserve and revitalize regional languages and cultures.

Today, Provencal remains an important cultural symbol for the Occitan-speaking communities, with efforts to promote its use in education, media, and cultural events. The language has also influenced the local culture, including traditional music, dance, and festivals in the Occitania region.

Below are a few languages that are related to Provencal in that they also belong to the Indo-European language family:

One intriguing detail about the use of Provencal is that it was originally spoken in Valencia, Spain, in the Catalan-speaking region. However, its use has declined since Spanish was declared the country’s official language. In recent years, attempts have been made in Valencia to revitalize the language, including the introduction of language immersion programs in schools and the promotion of its use in cultural events.