Until the 1960s, the Friulian-speaking areas were very poor and many Friulians emigrated to France, Belgium, and Switzerland, and also to Canada, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, the USA and South Africa.

Friulian started to appear in writing during the 11th century, and there is Friulian literature and poetry dating back to the early 14th century. In the 20th century there was a revival of interest in the language. It is taught in some schools and used, to a limited extent, in the media.