Occitan languages

Occitan languages are a group of Romance languages spoken mainly in southern France, as well as parts of Italy’s Occitan Valleys and Spain’s Val d'Aran. They evolved from Latin and share similarities with Catalan and French. Occitan has several regional dialects, collectively called "Langue d'Oc," and has a rich medieval literary tradition. Today, it is recognized as a minority language with cultural and historical importance, though it has experienced decline due to dominant national languages. Efforts are ongoing to preserve and promote Occitan through education, literature, and cultural initiatives.