While the use of French is decreasing in Quebec, the Office québécois de la langue française continues its fight against the anglicization of the language. The organization is also working hard to preserve and create terms in the language of Molière in order to adapt it to the evolution of populations and technologies.
Every year, many words, particularly from English, appear in the French language. The role of the OQLF is to target terminological needs in order to make French equivalents available, summarizes Xavier Darras, coordinator of linguistic production at the OQLF.
Faced with anglicization, the risk is to “continue to live in French,” believes Monique Cormier, professor emeritus in the Department of Linguistics and Translation at the University of Montreal. “When we are outside of Montreal, we realize it a little less. But when you are in the metropolis, there are big challenges in terms of using the language,” she believes.
The rate of Quebecers speaking mainly French at home increased from 81% to 79% between 2016 and 2021, according to the OQLF. The share of the population knowing Molière’s language well enough to carry on a conversation has also decreased.
For meme Cormier, it is not Anglicisms that are the cause of this decline, but the use of French itself, especially in large urban centers. “What poses a problem, in particular, is that at a given moment, we no longer distinguish what is in English from what is in French. Finally, we begin to integrate English without really realizing it,” she says.
A race against time
In order to adapt the new terms to the French language, the OQLF is working on two fronts. First, it works in thematic terminology by producing words for technical topics such as quantum computing, virtual reality, circular economy, etc. “Since 2020, we have created around forty specialized vocabularies, which aim to make this terminology available so that everyone can express themselves in French at work,” calculates Mr. Darras. These words are always created in collaboration with experts in the relevant fields in order to validate their content. “Afterwards, we rely on partners from the private, public and university sectors, so that they also disseminate these vocabularies in their communities,” adds the linguist.
Some requests sometimes come directly from companies themselves in order to find new words in French for their daily professional context.
“The key is speed. It’s about doing things “just in time” and making the terms available when speakers need them,” underlines Mr. Darras. Intervening promptly therefore remains crucial in order to prevent formulations from elsewhere becoming part of current usage.
“Where it is problematic is when an English word enters the language, in French, but which competes with another term,” believes M.me Cormier. She cites as an example the expression “pay cash » rather than “pay cash” or “in cash”. However, several foreign words have long been accepted, such as “football” or “camping”. The professor also argues that some, like packet boat become “liner”, are transformed to evolve into something else in the language of Molière.
Distribute to as many people as possible
The OQLF disseminates its terminology and its recommended uses through the Linguistic Showcase, available on the Web, and which combines the Linguistic Troubleshooting Bank and the Grand Terminological Dictionary. The first focuses on the terms recommended for good writing, with notions of grammar, spelling and syntax. The second looks at the technical vocabulary of certain professional fields. “We receive thousands of questions from people every year. And when we answer it, most of the time, we then try to make the information accessible to as many people as possible,” says Mr. Darras.
“We also carry out terminology monitoring,” adds Mr. Darras. Thus, OQLF linguists search periodicals and specialized documentation with the aim of identifying new linguistic realities. “In many cases, we realize that there already exist terms in French to designate them,” he explains.
For his part, Mme Cormier has set up online training, The undesirables. Anglicisms in the field of management, open to all since last year, in order to provide French terms to replace anglicisms in common use. “To date, around 1,500 people have completed the training. It’s free and should be done simply for the sake of French,” summarizes the professor.
And given the evolution of the French language, Mme Cormier remains optimistic and wants to present concrete solutions. “I tell myself that we just need to offer people tools. »
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.