What is the Primary Language in Ottawa, Canada?

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In Ottawa, Canada, the primary language is English.

But like the rest of Canada, the official second language is French.

Since Ottawa is a government city, and is located on the border of Quebec, French is more prominent than in other parts of Ontario or Canada.

But overall, both English and French are widely spoken in Ottawa.

There are some complications with language in Ottawa, however, as most employers are required to provide services in both English and French.

There are also a number of different language communities represented in Ottawa, including Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

In addition, there are a number of Indigenous language communities represented in Ottawa.

The most common language spoken by Indigenous peoples in Ottawa is Anishinaabemowin, followed by Algonquin and Cree.

So if you’re considering spending any time living and working in Ottawa, you’ll need to be proficient in both English and French.

Red and White Petaled Flower Field in Chateau Laurier, Ottawa

What Main Language is Spoken in Ottawa, Canada?

The main language spoken in Ottawa, Canada is English. 45.5% of Ottawa citizens speak only English.

However, the official second language is French. This is because Ottawa is a government city and it is located on the border of Quebec.

So, you will hear both languages spoken in Ottawa.

You will find English on almost all signs in Ottawa.

You will also find that a lot of people in Ottawa are bilingual. This means they can speak both English and French.

While only 8.6% of people on the 2011 census said that French is their primary language, 44.8% identified as bilingual between English and French.

1.1% of individuals said their primary language was not English or French.

If you travel to Ottawa, it is important to learn some basic French phrases. This will help you when communicating with locals.

If you work in Ottawa, you will need to know some French for any work with the government of Canada. They use both languages in the workplace. They will help you get certifications and training in French if needed.

Overall, Ottawa is a very language-friendly city. You will have no trouble communicating in either English or French.

Is Ottawa more French or English?

Ottawa is primarily English-speaking, with French as the second language. However, because of its location on the border of Quebec, you will find that many people in Ottawa are bilingual and can speak both English and French.

If you work in Ottawa, you may need to know some French for any work with the government of Canada. They use both languages in most workplaces.

Is Ottawa very French?

No, Ottawa is not a very French city. It is primarily English-speaking, with French as the second language. However, because of its location on the border of Quebec, you will find that many people in Ottawa are bilingual and can speak both English and French.

So it’s no where near as French as somewhere in Quebec, but you will still hear French being spoken quite often in Ottawa.

Is Ottawa officially bilingual?

Yes, Ottawa is an officially bilingual city, with English and French being the two main languages. You will find that many people in Ottawa are bilingual and can speak both English and French.

If you work in Ottawa, you may need to know some French for any work with the government of Canada. They use both languages in most workplaces.

Most cities in Canada are not officially bilingual, but Ottawa is one of the exceptions.

37% of individuals in Ottawa do say that they are bilingual.

Most Common Languages in Ottawa Other Than English or French

Arabic
Spanish
Chinese, n.o.s.
Italian
Mandarin
German
Portuguese
Cantonese
Somali
Persian (Farsi)

* According to 2011 Census data.

Do I Need To Speak French In Ottawa?

No, you do not need to speak French in Ottawa. While it is the second most common language spoken in the city, English is the predominant language spoken in Ottawa.

That being said, learning some key phrases in French can certainly help you get by and make friends.

Can I Speak English In Ottawa?

Yes, you can speak English in Ottawa. In fact, you will find that most people in Ottawa are fluent in English.

45.5% of Ottawa residents are English-first speakers. 44.8% are bilingual. That means that almost 90% of the population of Ottawa will understand you if you speak English.

Can You Live In Ottawa Without French?

Yes, you can live in Ottawa without speaking French. As mentioned above, English is the predominant language spoken in the city.

However, it is worth noting that if you live in Hull or Gatineau (often considered “Ottawa”), they are located in the province of Quebec. As such, some government services may be conducted in French.

For example, if you need to go to the hospital or apply for a driver’s license, you may need to do so in French if you do it in Gatineau or Hill.

Nevertheless, there are always people available to help those who do not speak the language.

So don’t worry, you can still live happily in Ottawa without speaking a word of French! (I do!)

Are Most People In Ottawa Bilingual?

Yes, many people in Ottawa are bilingual. As mentioned before, 44.8% of the population is bilingual.

This is largely due to the fact that Ottawa is located so close to Quebec. Many people who live in Ottawa also work in Gatineau and vice versa.

As such, it is useful to be able to speak both English and French.

Do I Need To Learn French If I Move To Ottawa?

No, you do not need to learn French if you move to Ottawa. As mentioned above, English is the predominant language spoken in the city.

Furthermore, many government services are conducted in English as well.

That being said, it may be useful to learn some key phrases in French. This can help you get by and make friends.

Plus, it will give you a better understanding of the city and its history.

What Percentage Of Ontario Is French?

While the percentage of people who speak French in Ontario is not as high as it is in Quebec, it is still significant.

According to Statistics Canada, about 4.7% of the population of Ontario speaks French as their first language.

This number has been dropping in recent years since the 2011 study.

Is Ottawa a French speaking province?

No, Ottawa is not a French speaking province. While it is the second most common language spoken in the city, English is the predominant language spoken in Ottawa.

What indigenous language is spoken in Ottawa?

There are many indigenous languages spoken in Ottawa. According to the 2016 Census, the most common indigenous language spoken in Ottawa is Algonquin.

Other indigenous languages spoken in Ottawa include Mohawk, Ojibway, and Cree.

Do you have to speak French to go to University of Ottawa?

No, you do not need to speak French to go to the University of Ottawa. The university offers programs in both English and French.

However, it is worth noting that most of the classes at the University of Ottawa are conducted in French.

You will need to check your degree program before applying to ensure that it is offered in the language you speak.

brown concrete building under cloudy sky during daytime. Ottawa's Parliament building

The Ottawa Dialect

The Ottawa dialect is a type of Canadian English that is spoken in the Ottawa area. This dialect is similar to other Canadian English dialects.

However, it does have some unique features. For example, the Ottawa dialect has been influenced by both French and Algonquin.

This can be heard in the way people pronounce certain words.

For example, the word “house” is pronounced like “hoos” in the Ottawa dialect. This is similar to the way it is pronounced in French.

The Ottawa dialect also has some Algonquin influences. For example, words like “tomahawk” and “moose” are pronounced with a longer “o” sound.

This is similar to the way these words are pronounced in Algonquin.

Michigan has a similar accent, so most people mistake the accent as being from Michigan.

Wrap Up: The Language in Ottawa

So, what is the language in Ottawa? The language in Ottawa is English. However, French is also spoken by a significant portion of the population.

Many people in Ottawa are bilingual. This is due to the fact that Ottawa is located so close to Quebec.

You do not need to learn French if you move to Ottawa. However, it may be useful to learn some key phrases.

But you’ll easily get by if you speak English.

Remember to speak “Canadian” English, and say “please” and “sorry” a lot!

Ottawa Travel Planning Guide

🚑 Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?

100% YES! — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.

💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?

Yes – ish — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)

🚙💨 Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?

Yes — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.

📲 Do I need to know French in Ottawa?

Nope! — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)

🏩 What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?

For Ottawa hotels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

✈️ What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?

For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend Skyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.

🎫 Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?

Likely Not — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.

📍 Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.