RufusTFirefly

When we last visited France several years ago, they had a regulation that radio stations could only play a certain percentage of foreign music. Is that still in place?

ira

>I empathize with those who feel their language is borrowing more than it is lending.<

I find that quite interesting. The major reason why I feel lucky to have English as my first language is that it has so many words.

Que pasa, baby? Got any bagels today?

flanneruk

"is there another language whose speakers feel such a strong need to protect it?"

Is there a language that doesn't? Spanish has its Real Accademia Espanola, established for just that purpose. It was reported a few years ago that Poland had introduced a language-purity law. There are institutes in Germany that attempt to tell not only Germans, but Austrians and Swiss, how to speak their language.

And they're right. Because it's not just French etc that suffer from this linguistic mongrelism. The examples of franglais in The Times article are horrible English. Twenty years ago, those (relatively few) French people who spoke English did so with great sensitivity for the language (as the Dutch and most Scandinavians still do).

Now, English for many Europeans is no longer a real language, needing to be spoken with respect. It's a global lingua franca (no pun intended): there just to pass on basic needs. Any gibberish is OK, as long as the other person more or less understands. And our language is the worse for it: listen to any Italian boy in London chatting up a Spanish or Greek girl.

I'm with the Academie Francaise et al on this. Europe is Europe because we all speak distinctive languages and respect the others. The junk language created by Eurotrash Lotharios should be stamped out.

ira

>>"is there another language whose speakers feel such a strong need to protect it?"<<

>Is there a language that doesn't?<

English?

>The junk language created by Eurotrash Lotharios should be stamped out.<

This sentence contains two neologisms and at least one word taken from a foreign language.

Marilyn

Thanks, flanner, that's exactly the sort of thing I was wondering about. So the Spanish and the Germans are just as picky, but the French get all the bad PR on the subject.

I don't particularly agree with you, however. If you look at the history of most living languages today, you will find an enormous amount of change and influence from other languages.

I think there is a connection between the fact that English is the global lingua franca (so to speak) and the fact that English has been so adaptable about incorporating words and phrases from other languages. For me, this polyglot quality is part of the glory of the English language.

crefloors

The Hawaiians are trying to keep their language alive. There are quite a few people over there teaching the culture and language. I have a friend in Honolulu, born and bred there, and she is taking Hawaiian. The world is too "small" anymore to be isolated..I just don't think it's going to work. Just remember to say chien chaud rather than hot dog and you'll be a hit. I think it's a good thing for each of us to appreciate our native culture and many of these things need to be taught and preserved and appreciated but for what ever reason and for what ever anyone wants to think of it, if american music, clothing, styles etc. weren't in demand in other countries, they wouldn't have to worry about it. The thing I LIKE about America and being an Amercian is that we have so many cultures in our society. We can get any kind of food from all over the world, there still are some who have kept some of their culture alive and we can all benefit from that and partake of that if we choose. My hair dresser is Chinese, born and raised in Vietnam, came over as a "boat person", her two boys were born here, think their mom is a pain in the butt, however, she has maintained her language-the boys can speak but don't really want to-she cooks chinese food, celebrates her holidays, etc. Her children will appreciate one of these days. I just don't think people should necessarily fear the influence of other cultures but at the same time, it's good to keep some of the "old ways" alive. But Tallulah also has a good point in her OP. Personally, I don't have the answer.

mr_go

That's it. I'm starting a new band, called the Eurotrash Lotharios.

Marilyn

mr go, I assume you will be playing romantic Europop?

Mathieu

Mr. Go and Marilyn : LOL ! Could I play lead Bass ? Or the accordion ?

Marilyn

I think either one, Mathieu, but you'll have to look and dress the part. I think you can keep your name, however. It works.

Moi, I can only keep my name if I get a platinum wig.

cigalechanta

There is a big movement in Provence to keep the Provencal language alive. I know because my friends are part of that
group. I applaud them for not letting it die.

kswl

RufusF, that post may have been around awhile, but I've never read it--thanks for a good laugh! But I must admit that I agreed with at least one point:
"Let's face it, no matter how much garlic you put on it, a snail is just a slug with a shell on its back." Too true!

Tries2PakLite

ira -- you are on a roll, a bagel, or perhaps a croissant (pronounced crescent by the philistines that are obviously invading France).

metellus

"Germany that attempt to tell not only Germans, but Austrians and Swiss, how to speak their language."

I find this hard to believe since so few Germans speak real German (Hoch Deutsch) anyway.

In an event, this is all small spuds compared to what the French do.

elina

"Is there another country that has an official agency to keep its language "pure?" Just curious..." This question appeared a little while ago on another board. MOST European countries have offices just for that purpose. In Finland it is also there to serve people. If I am unsure of some grammatical thing I can phone them and ask.

Marilyn

Wow, elina, talk about the Grammar Police!

smueller

Cultural imperialism? Sounds like cultural addiction to me.