The French language is evolving at breakneck speed. Each week, our language advisor dissects the words and expressions that make the headlines or give us trouble.
In French, the adjective inappropriate has the meaning ofinadequateofunsuitableofinaccurateofimproper. We can therefore write correctly that a word is inappropriate (to designate an impropriety of language). An inappropriate solution, inappropriate equipment, inappropriate drugs for their use.
But this adjective does not have in French the meaning ofinappropriateof which is contrary to custom, of what does not happen. To employ inappropriate in this sense is therefore inappropriate. We will rather write that someone has incorrect manners, that he has tenuous inappropriate remarks. Bill Clinton admitted in 1998 to having had an unseemly relationship with Monica Lewinsky. In 1998, Clinton recognizes an inappropriate relationship, but manages to stay in the White House.
Request, inopportune, unwelcome request. A flagrant and inopportune interference. Report inappropriate behavior. To be incorrect. Make unacceptable, inappropriate comments.
Recently, the term has been used more sexual misconduct. As defined in Department of National Defense and Canadian Armed Forces Administrative Orders and Directives, the term sexual misconduct means “behavior of a sexual nature which causes or could cause harm to other people, and which the person knew or should reasonably have known that such behavior could be harmful”. This definition includes, but is not limited to, acts or words that devalue others based on their gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression; sexual jokes, sexual comments, sexual advances and sexual harassment.
If some see there a semantic shift, which they disapprove of, it must be clearly understood that the media cannot use the term sexual assault when, for example, it is a question of a person whose behavior is denounced, but who has not (yet) been charged with a criminal offence.
Depending on the context, adjectives shocking, rude, immoral, unspeakable, obscene, repugnant Where scandalousfor example, may also be employed. Unacceptable attitude. Unspeakable, unworthy conduct. Despicable behavior.
Why do we write mines antipersonnel ?
Where does it come from that we do not grant the qualifier antipersonnel with the name mines ? In other words, why don’t we write anti-personnel mines ?
Reply
” The component personal is a noun and not an adjective, because originally they were mines directed against military “personnel”, ”says the tool Keys to writing from the Translation Bureau of the Government of Canada.
In military parlance, indicates The Petit Robert of the French language, antipersonnel “describes the weapons and devices used against people, and not against equipment”. Anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines. Anti-personnel mines are devices designed to explode in the presence, proximity or contact of a person. Law implementing the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
The adjective antipersonnel is considered invariable by most reference works. Spelling corrections allow an anti-personnel mine, anti-personnel mines.