Why do so many African Americans speak French?

Question

I've noticed that in my school, most black kids take French, and not many take Spanish, Latin, or Italian. I have some black friends that speak it fluently, and sometimes I hear African American adults speaking French in public or on the phone. Maybe some of it is Creole, and I can't tell the difference, but I know for a fact some of it is French because some people I know that can speak it aren't Haitian and have told me it's French. Is there a reason why?

Answer 1

Cause lots of African countries used to be french colonies.

Answer 2

African American is a choice. Nobody is born African American. 97% of the population of France are African American, but by choice because it makes it easier to speak french.

Answer 3

there are different possibilities:
- if they are from African descent, it's normal because lots of African countries were French colonies and still have strong cultural links with France.
- those people may come from the Southern states and here again, have links with France as in Louisiana.
- last one to me is that those people may be Haitian or French West Indian.

Answer 4

I'm haitian and my parents and I speak creole, french, and english. Also other west indian countries speak French. Martinique and Guadeloupe. Alot of africans speak French also. Algerians, Morrocan, etc. Only Nigerian and Liberian people don't speak french.

Answer 5

Some African first language is French, Like Senegal ?

you are right some speak a creole..they are from sierra/L

Or haiti

Answer 6

France colonized much of the African lands. Then it was natural that they spoke French to be able to communicate with each other because It is not usual that the colonizer picks up the colonies language.

Answer 7

Speaking French & Loving German Culture!

Answer 8

They are possibly from Haiti where they speak creol and French
and French had big influences on the black people in Africa.

Answer 9

French is sexy. How's that?