It is estimated that 70 languages are spoken in Ivory Coast. French, the official language, is taught in schools and serves as a lingua franca in the country. A semi-creolized form of French, known as Nouchi, has emerged in Abidjan in recent years and spread among the younger generation. One of the most common indigenous languages is Dyula, which acts as a trade language in much of the country, as well as a language commonly spoken by the Muslim population.