Here's a breakdown:
* Historically, the Piedmontese language (also known as Piemontese) was the most widely spoken language in the region. This language belongs to the Gallo-Italic branch of the Romance languages, related to languages like French and Occitan.
* Currently, the most common language in Piedmont is Italian. This is the official language of Italy and has been heavily promoted since the unification of the country in the 19th century.
* Other languages spoken in Piedmont include:
* French: Due to its proximity to France, French is spoken in some areas, especially near the border.
* Occitan: This language is spoken in some valleys in the western part of the region.
* German: Some small communities in the Alps speak German dialects.
* Modern Piedmontese is facing decline due to the dominance of Italian and the influence of globalization. However, there are efforts to revitalize the language and preserve its cultural heritage.
So, to answer your question directly: The Piedmont region is currently primarily Italian-speaking, but historically the Piedmontese language was dominant. There are also pockets of other languages like French and Occitan.