Laurence Vincent attracted a concert of praise with his text “Le français” published on Saturday. Many of you want to take up his challenge to replace the anglicisms that populate our language with the right words in French.
Posted at 2:00 p.m.
Big thank you, Laurence, I take flight your playful idea of a French-speaking month in my organization!
Claude Desormeaux
In English, in France
Thank you for your highly relevant article.
In October 2019, I was in Marseille to offer training on the concepts of disability and social participation. In order to relax a little when I was at the hotel, I listened to a little TV and I was amazed by the place occupied by English.
In particular, the car advertisements, although presented mainly in French (I was in France, all the same!) all included a key sentence in English to close the message and I had fun noting them down.
I let you judge :
- Renault: Take advantage of Renault Days…
- Peugeot: Peugeot 204, unboring the future…
- Citroën: Inspired by you!
- Ford Fiesta, cool & connect… Ford, go further!
- Nissan: Innovation that excites!
- Kia: The power to surprise!
- BMW: The 1!
- Mitsubishi: Drive your ambition!
Jean-Pierre ROBIN, M.A., ps. ed.
Protecting French cannot be imposed by laws
Finally, a lucid look at the issue of the protection of French in Quebec. Looking at yourself, rather than hitting on others. I’ve always thought that if Francophones all had the same sensitivity, Anglophones and allophones would follow us more easily. Protecting French cannot be imposed by law. You have to love it to make it loved by others.
Me Sylvie Bordelais
A constant challenge
Congratulations for your nice article. It is true that it is a daily battle to use the right French term in the business world, in which the English language predominates. Also, it is true to say that even outside of this business world, even if you are a purist of the language of Molière, you always have to make sure that you are using the correct French term. The fight is constant and while being a challenge, it is what makes our French language alive and interesting.
Johanne Godon
Essential approach
Thanks to Lawrence Vincent. His approach is essential. For the preservation of French, because it’s true, all words exist in French and the OQLF is doing a wonderful job. But also for the respect of this one. And then, who will want to learn French in Quebec if it becomes a Franglais patois, in addition chewed up in a sometimes incomprehensible way?
Monique Tairraz
A language that evolves
Language is constantly changing. English is literally full of abandoned words, borrowed from Old French that French speakers take for anglicisms! In short, there is no point in forcing ourselves to retain it, frozen in our nostalgia. The French of today is not that of yesteryear and will not be that of tomorrow, it will continue to evolve according to the use that future generations will spontaneously make of it. And if the future French Quebecer finds itself a little further from that of France, it is not so serious and I will not take offense as long as I can read The Press in French.
Frédéric Wellens, citizen of Canada and France
splined shaft
I completely agree. I’m a mechanical engineer and I work in the West Island – oops – West Island! I am now director and I am unfortunately the only one to express myself in French but I use far too many Anglicisms. The terms associated with the sale, magic box, low hanging fruit, dirty cycle shorts, thirdand it’s even worse for mechanical parts but so much more beautiful. Splined-shaft, it’s fluted shaft but when I say that to someone, I have to translate it for French speakers too! At least I managed to build the only department where the meetings are in French or Franglais. Unfortunately, a restructuring is in sight and the return to English is imminent. The fragility of French is a harsh reality. Until the structure changes, I take up your challenge!
Nataly Ranger
We must continue
When I worked as a personal finance advisor at Desjardins, during our weekly meetings, I always picked up on the speakers who said “to do list, close the sale, mailing, etc. “. Some people found me disturbing and annoying, but I always held on. Some people have even started to do like me and take back speakers who introduce English words into their presentation. We must continue!
Francine Fouquet
A diabolical trick
About thirty years ago, the company I worked for found a trick as diabolical as it was effective to get the staff to speak French or, at least, to designate its many parts or devices in French. The human resources department has turned storekeepers into bullies. Anyone who wanted to order products from them for a customer had to use the French term. Obviously, the company in question had trained the storekeepers and provided them with a quality English-French glossary and a unilingual French vocabulary. In the end, everyone won. The vocabulary of the agents, and sometimes even that of the customers, was enriched by a specific term without English being forgotten.
Louise Brunette, Ph.D., term. a, trans. a, certified editor (Editors Association of Canada)
All in French
I have an interesting experience at the condo building where I live in Montreal. When I was appointed administrator of the building, I told my fellow administrators that we would do everything in French since I precisely found that French was not respected at our general assembly. They accepted without any problem and, to my great surprise, I found that all but two or three people expressed themselves quite well in French. The vice-president is English-speaking but he always speaks and writes in French. And no more mistakes. Is this the impact of Law 101? I like to believe it.
Michele Desrochers
Difficult to do switch
I completely agree that it is difficult to do the switch 100% French. However, I would say that this is not a new phenomenon or according to the current government. The recent election campaign seemed to target this problem as something that could be settled by law. I have a hard time believing it. Is “coolitude” legislated?
Helene Matte, Chelsea
Think planet, not French
False debate. The protection of French is, in my opinion, a debate between intellectuals, to use the established expression. Languages evolve, are created and disappear, but in the end, why “defend” the language? What is the danger, by the way? That overnight the big bad mammoth of English make us switch to English overnight? It will not arrive. Anyway, thinking about slowing down the use of English is like trying to slow down a river with our hands. Worse, even if it were to happen, that French “disappears” or is wiped off the planet, “so what”? We must save the planet before saving the French. Let’s stop putting so much energy collectively on futile stuff, humans can’t fight several big fights at the same time. I repeat, let’s save the planet first, language will be useless if we all have to burn or drown. All our energies, our creativity and our habits must be devoted to thinking about the planet. Not French.
Martin Lamothe