Franglais, by Marie-Noelle Lamy

Summarized by Lori Blackwell, September 1, 1997

Franglais

Franglais is a mixture of English and French that has been used by the French for at least a century.

Those who want to protect Fench from Anglo American influences fear the trend is going beyond control.

Since the 1960s many have battled against franglais.

In 1964 Rene Etiemble published the results of his study on French language called Parlez vous franglais?

Borrowing is when one language uses and ends up absorbing a linguistic item or feature which was part of another language.

The items or features are called "borrowings."

Borrowing is a word or phrase that 'feels' foreign.

Borrowings only 'feel' foreign if they have not had time to become integrated into the host language.

Words used with their original pronunciation, spelling and meaning.

Original spelling and meaning but different pronunciation.

The borrowed word loses spelling and pronunciation, but keeps its original meaning.

English borrowings are often abbreviated in French, making them easier to pronounce.

Sometimes French language adds a new sense to the meaning of one of its own native words, under the influence of a similar word that exists in English.

English borrowings may bear only a trace of their origins.

Fake English words are often adopted by large numbers of French speakers, perhaps because they believe they really are English, or because they are perceived to fill a gap in the vocabulary.

The borrowing of English words and expressions has to be seen alongside the systematic encroachment of English into several parts of French life and culture.

English may be seen as fashionable, especially by young French people who wish to identify with a culture portrayed to them mainly through music and films.

Some groups use English for utilitarian reasons.

Leaders in French industry and research feel familiarity with English is a key to staying in the race for world markets.

Linguistic protectionists fight for the purity of the French language on aesthetic or cultural grounds.

There is a French tradition of state intervention in matters of language.

1. What is franglais?

2. Why do some feel the use of franglais is going out of control?

3. What is borrowing?

4. Name three types of borrowing.

5. What are some reasons the French use the English language?

6. Why are some French people against franglais and other Anglo American influences?