Why do people in laos speak french?

It's a common misconception that people in Laos speak French. The official language of Laos is Lao, a Tai-Kadai language.

While there might be some people who speak French, it's not a widely spoken language in Laos. Here's why:

* French Colonial History: Laos was a French protectorate from 1893 to 1954. During this time, French was the language of administration and education. However, after independence, Lao was promoted as the national language, and French usage declined.

* Limited Exposure: While some older generations might have learned French, the younger generations haven't been exposed to the language as extensively.

* Other Influences: Laos is surrounded by countries with different dominant languages (Thai, Vietnamese, etc.), which likely influenced the linguistic landscape of the country.

So, to summarize, while there may be some pockets of French speakers in Laos, it's not a widely spoken language.