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Languedoc (English pronunciation: /ˌlɒŋɡəˈdɒk/; French: [lɑ̃ɡdɔk]; Occitan: Lengadòc [ˌleŋɡɔˈðɔ]) is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées in the south of France, and whose capital city wasToulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées. It had an area of approximately 42,700 km² (16,490 sq. miles) (Quote from Wikipedia)
When I lived and worked in France, I discovered the Troubadours of Toulouse, a kind of gypsy band that kept the old language of Languedoc alive. The language of Languedoc was from a region called the County of Toulouse which was independent from the rest of France. Later, Languedoc which literally means the "language of Occitan" was outlawed in France and those that spoke it either had to speak French or be killed - Many were massacred according to historical records. This all took place during the religious wars that swept across Europe over the medieval times. The language sounds like a mix of Latin and French and is extremely melodic and beautiful to hear. I was given an Occitan Cross and wore it for more than a decade to symbolize my connection to the region of Toulouse, its people, the Land of Occitan and the fight of the Cathars for religious freedom.
Today, the language is being revived through language classes offered to students of various ages and the music of groups like the Troubadours.
Hymn to Liberty in Occitan - Hymne à la Liberté en Occitan (click here to listen )
Here is a YouTube video report on Occitan (click here to listen ) IN FRENCH Dailymotion
Exposition Ben 100% en Occitan (Toulouse) via @Dailymotion on Twitter
Here is an interesting article on the subject: The Besieged and the Beautiful in Languedoc - NY Times
This is a beautiful song .. that really captures the beauty of the language - (click here to listen )
