Editing French language (section)

==== Lebanon ====
{{See also|French language in Lebanon}}
[[File:Bienvenue a Rechmaya.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Town sign in [[Modern Standard Arabic|Standard Arabic]] and French at the entrance of [[Rechmaya]] in Lebanon]]

A former French [[French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon|mandate]], [[Lebanon]] designates [[Arabic]] as the sole official language, while a special law regulates cases when French can be publicly used. Article 11 of Lebanon's Constitution states that "Arabic is the official national language. A law determines the cases in which the French language is to be used".<ref name="article_11">{{Cite web |last=Axel Tschentscher, LL.M. |title=Article 11 of the Lebanese Constitution |url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/le00000_.html#A011_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116235845/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/le00000_.html#A011_ |archive-date=16 January 2013 |access-date=17 January 2013 |publisher=Servat.unibe.ch}}</ref> The [[French language in Lebanon]] is a widespread second language among the [[Lebanese people]], and is taught in many schools along with Arabic and English. French is used on [[Lebanese pound]] banknotes, on road signs, on Lebanese [[Vehicle registration plates of Lebanon|license plates]], and on official buildings (alongside Arabic).

Today, French and English are secondary languages of [[Lebanon]], with about 40% of the population being [[Francophone]] and 40% Anglophone.{{sfn|OIF|2014|p=217}} The use of English is growing in the business and media environment. Out of about 900,000 students, about 500,000 are enrolled in Francophone schools, public or private, in which the teaching of mathematics and scientific subjects is provided in French.{{sfn|OIF|2014|p=218}} Actual usage of French varies depending on the region and social status. One-third of high school students educated in French go on to pursue higher education in English-speaking institutions. English is the language of business and communication, with French being an element of social distinction, chosen for its emotional value.{{sfn|OIF|2014|p=358}}