Le Robert editions defended Wednesday the addition to the online version of their prestigious French dictionary of the pronoun “iel”, to avoid a gender distinction, after criticism from the Minister of Education.
The latter, Jean-Michel Blanquer, gave his support to a member of the majority, François Jolivet, who had denounced the entry of this word, mainly used by a young audience, in a letter to the French Academy, the official guardian of the French language.
“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, ”Mr. Blanquer tweeted on Tuesday.
In a press release published on the Robert’s website, its director general, Charles Bimbenet, confirms the addition of the word “iel” a few weeks ago in its online edition and denies 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.
“Moreover, the meaning of the word ‘iel’ cannot be understood from its sole reading […] and it appeared useful to us to specify its meaning for those who cross it, whether they wish to use it or on the contrary… reject it, ”he writes.
And to recall that “Robert’s mission is to observe the evolution of a French language in motion, diverse, and to report on 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) which we promise you soon the definition,” he said. concluded.