While French is an official language, it's not widely spoken in everyday life. The majority of the population speaks Bislama, a creole language based on English, French, and other languages. English is also used in government and education.
Here's why French is an official language:
* Colonial history: Vanuatu was a French and British condominium from 1906 to 1980. This means the country was jointly administered by both France and the UK. Both countries left their linguistic and cultural marks on the islands.
* Official recognition: When Vanuatu became independent in 1980, French was recognized as an official language alongside English and Bislama. This was a way to acknowledge the country's colonial past and the influence of both France and the UK.
Even though it's an official language, French is not as widely used in Vanuatu as Bislama and English.