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Picard

Picard Asterix
Picard translation of The Great Divide

The Picard language is spoken in the northernmost regions of France, particularly in Hauts-de-France, and parts of Belgium (notably Wallonia). This area has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its proximity to Belgium and historical ties to Flemish culture. The region is known for its strong traditions in music, culinary specialties such as Maroilles cheese and carbonnade flamande (beef stew), and its industrial history centered on coal mining and textiles. Festivals and local folklore also play an important role in the region’s identity.

Ch’ti

Picard is a Romance language that developed alongside French but is distinct enough to be recognized as a separate language rather than merely a regional dialect. It is part of the Oïl language family, which also includes French, Walloon, Norman, and other northern French languages. Compared to standard French, Picard exhibits unique features in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, reflecting its historical evolution in the northern regions of France and parts of Belgium.

Within Picard, the term “Ch’ti” refers specifically to the dialect spoken in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. Ch’ti has its own characteristic expressions, intonation, and vocabulary, making it immediately recognizable to native speakers and visitors alike. The dialect gained widespread attention in popular culture thanks to the 2008 film Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis, which humorously portrays the linguistic and cultural differences between northern and southern France. The film sparked renewed interest in Picard and Ch’ti, highlighting the rich linguistic diversity that exists within France and the ongoing importance of preserving regional languages.

Asterix speaks Picard

Several Asterix albums have been published in Picard. Editions Albert René published the first Picard translation, Astérix i rinte à l’école, in 2004. The translations were done by Alain Dawson, Jacques Dulphy, and Jean-Luc Vigneux. Other Picard editions include Ch’village copè in II (2007) and Astérix pi Obélis is ont leus ages (2010).