France is expressing increasing agitation about the increase of English language on French TV and radio.
In its latest bid to protect the French language, the country’s watchdog is to hold a debate on how to counter the English language invasion.
English has long had a habit of slipping into French broadcasting, but the trend has heightened with the arrival of reality TV and more American series being shown.
Even prime time slots are being filled with titles such as Secret Story, Masterchef, Ice Show, and The Voice, a singing talent show. Radio shows have been named such things as “Morning” and “Morning Live”.
Meanwhile, in Canada, The Voice is presented as “La Voix”, seemingly a simple enough solution.
The French broadcast watchdog, the CSA, gathered linguists together with TV and radio chiefs to tackle “the future of the French language in audiovisual media”.
“The idea is not to mete out punishment or play at being grumpy grots who hunt English words, but to take stock of the situation and help channels be aware of their obligations in defending and promoting the French language,” the CSA president said.
The “Toubon” law was created in 1994 making the use of French obligatory in government publications, state-funded schools, adverts and the workplace.
Although state channels are supposed to replace English terms, some amalgamations, such as “La Grande Battle”, are hailed as “franglais”.
Some experts from l’Académie Française, the official guardian of French, recognised that direct translations do not always work. The translation for ‘burnout’ is “syndrome d’épuisement professionnel” (professional exhaustion syndrome). They conceded that on occasion the English is better.
Despite persistent attempts to protect its language, the French parliament approved in May university teaching of some classes in English. The heated debate took weeks to conclude.
