French and English are fundamentally different languages in terms of grammar, structure, and syntax.
Despite this incompatibility, English has a substantial percentage of French loanwords. Nearly 30% of all English words come directly or indirectly from French.
This means that all English speakers understand at least some French words, even though they may not recognise the original pronunciation.
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| Vocabulary estimates vary according to criteria e.g, whether derivatives are included |
The average native speaker will automatically recognise around 1500 French words in written form— without needing to consult a dictionary. This figure expands to around 30% of French loanwords when a looser linguistic connection is included.
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