Hausa: A World Language Hidden in Plain Sight

When people think of major African languages spoken in France, Wolof, Bambara and Swahili come to mind. Rarely Hausa. Yet with over 80 million speakers according to Ethnologue (26th edition, SIL International), Hausa is the most spoken Chadic language in the world and one of the three great vehicular languages of West Africa, alongside Yoruba and Igbo.

Hausa is the dominant language of northern Nigeria and southern Niger. It is also spoken in Ghana, Cameroon, Chad and Benin. It serves as the lingua franca of markets across the Sahelian belt of West Africa. And in Paris, a vibrant Nigerian community keeps it alive every day.

The Nigerian Diaspora in Ile-de-France

A Discreet but Well-Established Community

The Nigerian community in France is estimated at between 30,000 and 50,000 people according to cross-referenced estimates from INSEE and community associations. Paris and the Ile-de-France region are home to the vast majority. Unlike the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom (which exceeds one million), the French community is more modest but well-organised and active.

Neighbourhoods where you will hear Hausa in Paris:

  • Chateau-Rouge (18th arrondissement): this is the heart of Africa in Paris. The Dejean market and its surrounding streets are packed with West African traders, many of whom are Hausa speakers. Stalls of fabrics, spices and food products from Nigeria and Niger line rue Poulet and rue Myre de Vilers.
  • Gare du Nord and the 10th arrondissement: the area around Gare du Nord hosts Nigerian restaurants and shops, particularly along the faubourg Saint-Denis.
  • Belleville and the 19th arrondissement: a historically cosmopolitan area where African communities coexist with Asian and North African diasporas.
  • Saint-Denis and the northern suburbs: Aubervilliers, Saint-Denis and La Courneuve are home to long-established Nigerian families.

Associations and Gathering Places

Several Nigerian associations are active in Ile-de-France. They organise cultural events, Nigerian Independence Day celebrations (1 October) and community gatherings. Mosques frequented by the Nigerian community (notably in the 18th arrondissement and Saint-Denis) are also places where Hausa is spoken during exchanges between worshippers.

Why Learn Hausa in Paris?

An Underrated Professional Asset

Nigeria is Africa's largest economy (GDP exceeding 470 billion dollars). Trade between France and Nigeria is growing steadily. Speaking Hausa means accessing the market of northern Nigeria: 100 million people, with opportunities in agriculture, textiles, technology and commerce.

French companies operating in Nigeria (TotalEnergies, Orange, Bollore, Lafarge) seek employees who can communicate with local populations. Hausa is a rare competitive advantage on a French CV.

The Nollywood Connection

Nollywood, Nigeria's film industry, is the second most prolific in the world (after Bollywood). While most films are in English or Yoruba, the Hausa cinema (nicknamed "Kannywood", based in Kano) produces hundreds of films per year. It is a rich cultural universe with its own stars, melodramas, comedies and music.

Learning Hausa means accessing Kannywood in the original language: Ali Nuhu, Rahama Sadau and Adam A. Zango are household names for 80 million Hausa speakers.

Family and Identity Ties

For French citizens of Nigerian origin, learning Hausa means reconnecting with their roots. Many second and third-generation young people understand a few words but are not fluent. Formal learning allows them to bridge this linguistic gap and communicate fully with grandparents, cousins who stayed in Nigeria and the wider community.

Hausa: More Accessible Than You Think

The Latin Alphabet

Unlike Arabic or Amharic, Hausa is written in the Latin alphabet (ajami in Arabic characters also exists, but modern usage is Latin). For an English speaker, this is a considerable advantage: no new alphabet to learn.

Hausa uses a few specific letters: "d" with a hook (an implosive sound), "b" with a hook (also implosive), hooked "k" and "ts". These sounds are unusual but can be acquired with practice.

Grammatical Structure

Hausa has a Subject-Verb-Object structure, like English. It has a grammatical gender system (masculine/feminine), irregular plurals and a tonal system (high, low, falling) that changes the meaning of words. Tones are the main challenge for English speakers.

Basic Vocabulary

English Hausa Pronunciation
Hello Sannu San-noo
Thank you Na gode Na go-deh
How are you? Ina kwana? Ee-na kwah-na
Yes Eh / I Eh / Ee
No A'a Ah-ah
Water Ruwa Roo-wah
Food Abinci Ah-bin-chee
Market Kasuwa Kah-soo-wah

Hausa Immersion in Paris: A Practical Guide

The Markets

The Chateau-Rouge market is your best immersion ground. Nigerian and Nigerien vendors speak Hausa among themselves. Start with greetings: "Sannu!" (hello) and "Ina kwana?" (how are you?) are enough to start a conversation. Traders will be surprised and delighted to hear a non-Hausa person speak their language.

The Barbes market, adjacent to Chateau-Rouge, offers the same opportunities. On Sunday mornings, the covered market on boulevard de la Chapelle is particularly lively.

The Restaurants

Several Nigerian restaurants in Paris serve jollof rice, suya (spiced skewers), egusi soup and tuwo shinkafa (a quintessential Hausa dish). Frequenting these establishments regularly will allow you to practise Hausa in a friendly setting.

Cultural Events

Nigerian Independence Day (1 October), community weddings and religious celebrations (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha) are opportunities to practise Hausa. Nigerian associations post events on their Facebook and WhatsApp groups.

Hausa and Nigeria's Other Languages

Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo: The Linguistic Trio

Nigeria has over 500 languages. Three dominate: Hausa (north), Yoruba (south-west) and Igbo (south-east). Each carries the identity of one of the country's three major ethnic groups.

Hausa stands out for its role as a vehicular language beyond Nigeria's borders. In Niger, it is the mother tongue of more than half the population. In Ghana, Cameroon and Chad, it serves as a trade language. No other Nigerian language has this transnational reach.

Arabic Influence

Hausa has borrowed extensively from Arabic, a consequence of the Islamisation of northern Nigeria from the 11th century onward. An estimated 20 to 30% of Hausa vocabulary is of Arabic origin. If you speak Arabic, you will recognise many words: "littafi" (book, from Arabic kitab), "makaranta" (school, from Arabic madrasa), "alhamis" (Thursday, from Arabic al-khamis).

INALCO and Academic Resources

INALCO (National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations) in Paris is one of the few European institutions offering a full Hausa curriculum. The Africa department offers bachelor's and master's courses in Hausa language and civilization, with a focus on linguistics, literature and culture.

For learners who do not wish to pursue a full university curriculum, evening courses and continuing education programmes are also available. The University Library of Languages and Civilizations (BULAC), located next to INALCO, holds an exceptional collection of Hausa materials.

Future Prospects

Hausa is a language on the rise. Nigeria's demographic growth (the country is expected to reach 400 million inhabitants by 2050 according to the UN) and Niger's growth guarantee that Hausa will continue to gain speakers. The expansion of the Nigerian diaspora in Europe and North America is increasing demand for Hausa language learning.

In Paris, the Nigerian community is becoming increasingly structured. New businesses, restaurants and associations emerge every year. Learning Hausa today means investing in a skill whose value will only grow.

Sources

Want to learn Hausa with a native teacher? Discover our small group and private lessons on Targumi.