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Latest update: 05/04/2010
- French culture - language
Govt urges youth to say 'non' to English words
In yet another attempt to rid French of the insidious influence of English, a competition launched by the French government has found le bon mot replacements for words such as “buzz” and “chat”.
By Apoorva PRASAD (text)
In an attempt to rekindle love for the French language among the youth, France’s junior minister for cooperation and Francophonie awarded six students on Tuesday for their entries to ‘Francomot’, an online students-only competition to find the ideal replacements for popular English words in everyday French.
Alain Joyandet launched the competition in January to try and find a way of getting young French people to give up their penchant for tainting ‘the language of Molière’ with words like “buzz”, “chat”, “talk”, “tuning” and “newsletter”.
“Too many Anglicisms have entered our everyday life in France,” bemoaned Joyandet in his prize-giving speech on Tuesday. The odd selection of words vilified in this round of Anglo-French conflict all relate to new media or technology, and have apparently become all too common in everyday parlance.
To replace “buzz” – as in “online buzz” - the competition jury selected “ramdam”, a word originating from Arabic (evidently considered more Francophone than English in this case).
“Chat” was vanquished by two entries – “eblabla” and “tchatche”. Joyandet noted that the English word, like all the others in the competition, already had an official French alternative. France’s Commission of Terminology, a Ministry of Culture panel, notes “dialogue” (which has the same meaning in French and in English) as the alternative to chat.
“Tuning” – as in tuning cars – became “bolidage”. “Newsletter” was foiled by “infolettre” and “talk” was valiantly ousted by “débat”, which indeed means "debate" in English.
On the jury were a dozen French personalities including the rapper MC Solaar (praised as “a dextrous handler of words” by Joyandet). Importantly, it was headed by Jean-Christophe Rufin, a member of the Académie Francaise - a venerable and peculiarly French institution, charged officially with the guardianship of the language.
The “immortal” members of the Académie have fought hard to maintain the primacy of French, the 14th most widely spoken language in the world (English is the third). In 2008, they even resisted the official recognition of France’s regional tongues, such as Breton and Basque.
The Académie, the Commission and Joyandet’s competition are all attempts by France to preserve its “cultural exception”. But it remains to be seen if the new words will actually be used by anyone.
Joyandet reminded his audience of recent successes: “‘walkman’ [and] 'software', two Anglo-Saxon words that have naturally been replaced by ‘baladeur’ and ‘logiciel’,” he said. But in general, French institutions have mostly failed in getting young people to resist the “menace” of English.
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Comments (20)
French
We shall retaliate by changing the name of French fries.
I'm of the opinion that a
I'm of the opinion that a word that isn't native to that country should stay in that language if it is suitable by those who can speak it. Sort of like how loan words in many languages happen. Though as an American, I really don't see this as a problem given the way words and language have evolved extensively over time. It's sad to see changes happen but we accept them soon enough.
Well i don't really get
Well i don't really get this... but i'm going to say, attaché which means attached or bon appétit which means good apettite. & provocateur which means provocative & mémoire which means memory.
banishing english from french language
so, what did they substitute for the phrase French kiss. Suggestion: "shovinge' le tounge' en le throatee'"
Oh Dear !!
Oh Dear !!
what losers
Wow, I bet the French youth are just trampling each other in their haste to listen to old greybeards tell them how to speak. Hahaha what morons!
thought we were friends
I thought we were friends - Linda in the United States (Washington state)
English Words
Can anyone tell me what is the french word for restaurant
That hypertext link
I followed the link (the 14th most widely spoken language in the world) in the article, and was surprised to discover that, among widely known and influential languages, French lies between Wu and Telugu. I hope the Académie Française is working hard to fight of the influence of these much nearer neighbours. To be beaten into 15th place by Telugu would be intolerable.
a good part of the English
a good part of the English language is dervived from French
Daft
I wonder how much money the hours spent cost the French tax payer!
Gallic language
The French language is a foreign import into France. The only reason that France speaks their current language is that Caesar beat the Gallic tribes 2000 years ago, and they were forced to abandon speaking Celtic and take up Latin. So if they want to go back to their original language they should take up the Welsh language (Gaulloise), the strongest Celtic language-speakers now!
I sincerely hope ...
... Please tell me this is an April Fool's joke!
English words in the French language
It would be a fantastic help for the French people to manage the future if they were taught English at school. As it is now they are so alien to foreign language that they seem completely retarded, when they meet someone who does not speak French fluently. In my country children are taught English at all schools as the second language, from the age of 8, German from 9, Latin and French is optional from the age of 14. I am afraid that just as Mr.Murdoch can not fight the Internet, the French will be stuck in the middle ages until the children are offered several languages at all schools. Both the future and the Internet seems to be here right now.
French language
As an American, I plead that you do everything possible to NOT allow English to invade your beautiful language. It is always a joy to hear your language spoken.
Non to English Words
Langauage is a living entity. Slang, whether it be from the streets or from the Techie, Surf, etc industry it is a "rebirth" of a word that gives a generation of people its own characteristics. Anyway, purists should grind away and keep tradition going, but at the same time, the "menace" of English has momentum, it is evolving and free in form. That spirit should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Just Weird
Salutations French Speakers,
Thanks for approximately 25% of our language. Your words have improved my thoughts and ability to express myself with clarity and precision. I look forward to adopting more idiomatic expressions from your wonderful language in the future.
Sincerely,
A native English speaker
Franglais
Strange they should bring Moliere into this I looked at a book of one of his plays and in the rear there was a glossary so that those speaking modern French would be able to understand.
One such word in the glossary was "Regard" with the modern French explanation of "Concernement" - isn't that how the word "Regard" is used in the English language?
The French and English having been swapping words for centuries - I doubt that L'Académie Française will be able to anything much about it, though it does seem that I am typing this out on an ordinateur rather than a computer!
Govt urges youth to say 'non' to English words
Language is controlled by the people NOT by legislation.
Every country on this planet uses words that evolved outside its borders
ramdam
If needed for some bizarre reason, here are the latest acceptable french expressions according to La Academie.
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