The director general of Le Robert editions, Charles Bimbenet, defended Wednesday the addition to the online version of his prestigious dictionary of the non-gender pronoun “iel”, after criticism of the Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer.
In a tweet written on Tuesday, Mr. Blanquer gave his support to the majority deputy François Jolivet, who had denounced the entry of the word, mainly used by a young audience, in a letter to the French Academy.
“I obviously support @ FJolivet36’s protest vis-à-vis #PetitRobert. Inclusive writing is not the future of the French language. Even though our students are in the process of consolidating their fundamental knowledge, they cannot have this for reference, ”he wrote.
In a press release published on the Robert’s website, Charles Bimbenet confirms the addition of the word “iel” “a few weeks ago” in his online edition and defends himself against any activism.
If he recognizes that the use of this word is “still relatively weak”, he explains that “for a few months, the librarians of Robert” noted that it was used more and more.
“In addition, the meaning of the word + iel + cannot be understood by reading it alone (…) and it seemed useful to us to specify its meaning for those who come across it, whether they wish to use it or at otherwise … reject it, ”he wrote.
And to recall that “the mission of Robert is to observe the evolution of a French language in movement, diverse, and to give an account of it”. “Defining the words that mean the world is helping to understand it better. “
“No offense to some, Le Robert was not suddenly affected by + acute + wokism, a + non-transparent + word (not yet defined, editor’s note) whose definition we promise you soon”, he concluded.