French French in the world French is a

French

French in the world • French is a Romance language—a descendent of Latin, along with Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Rumanian, etc. It developed from a dialect of Old French spoken in the territory of Île de France (Paris). • Nowadays French is spoken worldwide. In Europe: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco, Switzerland. In Africa: Bénin, Cameroon, Maghreb countries (= Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), Mali, Senegal, Togo, etc. In the Americas: Canada, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Pierre et Miquelon, US (Louisiana, Vermont). In Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. 2

• French is the mother tongue of more than 120 million people and the second most-commonly taught second language in the world (after English). • It is an official language in some 30 countries and one of the 5 official languages of the United Nations. • French speaking countries of the world—pays de la francophonie —form a powerful economic and cultural network (comparable to the Commonwealth); they sponsor research and development and scientific and cultural exchange worldwide. 3

French in Canada • French is the mother tongue of Quebeckers, Acadians, Franco-Ontarians, Franco-Manitobans and Fransascois— close to 7 million people, or 22% of the total population of Canada. • It is taught as a second language across the country. • It is one of the two official languages of Canada (along with English): all Canadian institutions—Parliament, Government Agencies, etc. —are bilingual. 4

The influence of French language and culture: the case of English • Historically, English borrowed 70% of its vocabulary from French. Here are some of the old borrowings that are now part of the English language: [kinship terms] aunt, cousin, nephew, niece, uncle. . . [foods] biscuit, mutton, pork, potage, prune, raisin, veal, vinegar. . . [architecture] ceiling, chamber, chimney, palace, square, tower. . . [furniture] carpet, chair, curtain, cushion, lamp, lantern, table. . . [abstract terms] glory, memory, victory. . . Etc. 5

• French expressions used as is in English: à propos, Bon appétit!, carte blanche, C’est la vie. , café au lait, Comme ci comme ça. , crêpes, croissants, déjà vu, haute couture, hors d’oeuvre, raison d’être, R. S. V. P. , touché, voilà, etc. • English expressions bearing a direct reference to French culture: French bread, French fries, French key, French kiss, French mustard, French window, take a French leave, etc. 6

French: language of art, fashion and—love • France has more Nobel Prize laureates in literature than any other country in the world. Here are some: Albert Camus, André Gide, Anatole France, François Mauriac, Romain Rolland. • It is also one of the top film-making countries in the world. French cinema has produced such mega stars as Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Gérard Dépardieux, Daniel Auteuil, Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Adjani, Juliette Binoche, Béatrice Dalle, and so on. Québec has a vibrant film industry, as well. Thus, the work of these Québecois directors has been internationally acclaimed: Claude Jutra (Mon oncle Antoine, A tout prendre, Kamouraska), Robert Lepage (Confessional, La face cachée de la lune), Denys Arcand (Jésus de Montréal, Le déclin de l’empire américain, Les invasions barbares). 7

• France and Belgium are the leading producers of comics (bande dessinée): Astérix and Tintin are known all over the world. • Paris is one of the world’s fashion capitals: everyone is familiar with fashion lines of Pierre Cardin, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier, to mention just a few. 8

French at Dalhousie • Courses in French language, linguistics, literature and culture Spoken French, Quebec French, French for Business, Cinema: the French phenomenon, Stories and Legends of the Francophone World, Electronic Tools for Teaching French, and many more. • Study abroad programs A year in Dijon (France) • Certificate of proficiency in French • Social & cultural life Students’ French society, film screenings, wine & cheese parties, and a lot more. www. french. dal. ca 9

Carreers with French • Teaching • Language Techologies • Translation & Interpretation • Journalism & Communications • Public Service • International Trade • Business Administration • Tourism Etc. 10