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'Poitevin' (''Poetevin'') is a language spoken by the people in Poitou. It is one of the regional languages of France. It is now classified as one of the langues d'oïl but is distinguished by certain features of the langue d'oc. The language is spoken on what was the border between the two language families of ''oïl'' and ''oc'' (placenames in the region clearly show historical settlement of ''oc'' speakers). The langue d’oïl subsequently spread south, absorbing ''oc'' features.
Poitevin is also widely referred to as ''parlanjhe'' (the language). François Rabelais wrote that he learnt this dialect, along with many other languages and dialects, since he was educated in Fontenay-le-Comte.
The earliest attested written use of the language is in charters and legal documents dating from the 13th century; people who spoke it were known as the Saintongese. The earliest printed text is dated 1554. A tradition of theatrical writing and dramatic monologues for performance typifies the literary output in the language, although from the 19th century and in the 20th century (especially with the publication of a weekly paper ''Le Subiet'' from 1901) regular journalistic production was also established.
In 1973, a standard orthography was proposed and now widely adopted.
The most western part of the Poitou ''région'' is home to a minority of Occitan-speakers though. Outside of France the language is spoken in Northern California, especially in Sacramento, Plumas, Tehama and Siskiyou counties, the latter with both large French ancestory and speaking populations.