Piedmontese has never been an official language but in the last ten years it has been recognized as a separate language by the European Union, the Piemonte region and some linguists. It is not currently taught in schools but some people are trying to have it introduced into primary schools. Piedmontese is spoken mainly by older people and is not popular with the young, particularly in the cities and towns. As a result, it is in danger of becoming extinct within a couple of generations.