* No official census: The US Census doesn't track language proficiency in detail, only asking about language spoken at home.
* Different levels of fluency: Someone who learned French in school may not consider themselves fluent.
* Regional variation: French is spoken more in certain areas like Louisiana, Maine, and Vermont.
* Immigration: The number of Americans with French heritage or speaking French as a first language is constantly changing.
However, here are some estimates and factors to consider:
* The US Census: In 2020, the US Census reported that about 1.6 million people (0.5% of the population) speak French at home. This likely underestimates the total number of French speakers, as many people may use French in other settings.
* French as a foreign language: Many Americans have studied French in school. The Modern Language Association estimates that around 1 million Americans have studied French as a foreign language.
* Immigrants and heritage speakers: There are significant communities of people with French heritage, particularly in Louisiana (Cajun French) and New England (Acadian French).
* Francophone communities: There are also French-speaking communities in the US due to immigration, particularly from Haiti, Canada, and France.
Overall, while an exact number is hard to pin down, it's safe to say that millions of Americans speak some level of French.