* French Colonization: Guinea was a French colony from 1891 to 1958. During this time, French was the official language of administration, education, and commerce.
* Language Imposition: French was actively promoted and imposed on the Guinean population, replacing indigenous languages in official settings.
* Independence: When Guinea gained independence in 1958, French remained the official language. This was partly due to the lack of a strong national language and the perceived need for a unifying language for communication and administration.
* Post-Independence: While efforts have been made to promote national languages like Maninka and Fulani, French continues to hold its position as the official language and is used in government, education, media, and business.
It's important to note that French is not the only language spoken in Guinea. Many indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country, and there is a growing movement to promote linguistic diversity. However, French remains the dominant language for communication and access to power and opportunities.