Beauty in language and emerging economies

We cannot do justice to the beauty of French by speaking of facts and figures. However, or notwithstanding, as the French say, we should have a brief idea about the origins, history and importance of French as one of the most beautiful languages ​​in the world, if not the most beautiful.

French is a Romance language

Don’t confuse this with ‘the language of romance’ – it is too! It has its roots in the vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire. Again, the language is not vulgar: the word encompasses the “popular” Roman dialects of the Middle Ages.

French is not limited to being spoken in France. It is the official language of 29 countries, the members of the francophonie, the community of French-speaking countries. They were formerly French colonies stretching from the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, parts of Belgium and Switzerland, Monaco, and as far away as parts of sub-Saharan and northern Africa.

40% of the Francophone population is in Europe; 15% in Africa and the Middle East!

Lingua franca

The dictionary definition of this term is: a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages ​​are different.

French was the language of diplomacy and international relations from the 17th to the mid-20th century. That is why lingua franca (literally French language) came to denote a universal language. The United States became the dominant power at the end of World War II, and English gained dominance.

French is now the most influential language after English.

England French connection

The first king of England, William the Conqueror, was French!

A large part of the possessions of the first English monarchy was based in France and French was the language of the English court. The English nobility and the upper classes were strongly influenced by the French and their language.

Little by little, the French nobles became English, but they brought a good deal of French into the English language. Commonly used words like messenger and dentist are actually French.

The motto of the British monarch is in French: Dieu et mon droit, which means “God and my right”.

This short history lesson is important for us to understand why French is considered the language of sophistication and culture even today.

Each person has their reason why they feel that French is the most beautiful language in the world:

# 1. The consonants that end a French word are not pronounced. That’s why French vowels flow easily and one word blends into the other. It’s like music.

# 2. French is ardently “euphonic” or sounds harmonious. For example, a word that ends with a vowel sound is never followed by a word that begins with a vowel. There are precise linguistic rules that promote euphony; it is not just a coincidence.

# 3. French is the language of romance. A recent Google Translate poll shows that “Je t’aime” (I love you) is the most requested translation and “I miss you” (I miss you) ranks high.

# 4. French is the language of love. This could have originated in the love songs sung by itinerant troubadours in medieval France and transferred to England with the French nobility and their courtly poets and singers. This is probably why the English-speaking world came to regard, and STILL regards, French as the language when the feeling is LOVE.

# 5. More emotional than rational. French creates emotions and desires, and a few sentences are enough to encourage fantasies. French is a language that appeals to the imagination.

# 6. The sensuality of the French is due to the accent. This may be something that non-native speakers say because they find the intonation appealing. There are those who insist that even bad words in French sound soft and attractive.

# 7. French is unique and full of quaint phrases that lose their music and evocative meanings in translation. “The call of the void.” translates literally as “the call of the void”, but in French, it describes the need to jump that people can have when looking down from a great height. Four little words convey a great deal of feelings.

# 8. The French is elegant, sophisticated. It is easily understood when you read. With its history, French is considered the language of classes and the elegant one. When we talk about the best chefs and cuisine, we use the term ‘cordon bleu’ (blue ribbon), and haute couture is ‘haute couture’.

# 9. The French is full of nuances and details that make it special. To “eat dandelions starting at the root” means eating dandelions starting at the root.

This is a phrase to be dead and buried, an example of how colorful French is.

# 10. Through the centuries, the French has clung to the correct way of speaking and writing. Freedoms have been taken in many languages. English, for example, has been twisted and mutilated from its original structure by native and other influences. “For your information above, see my below” was actually an official response to a letter in a Government Department (identity withheld for reasons of sensitivity).

The importance of French translation today

Globalization has driven businesses around the world. Language is the main means of communication: translations and interpretations have therefore gained importance.

French is spoken in 29 countries as an official language today. Experts say this could see a dramatic increase in the similarity and popularity of French as an international language – the lingua franca of yesteryear, in fact.

The emerging economies of French-speaking countries are gaining prominence. As your population increases, so will the number of French speakers.

Research by Cardiff University shows that when it comes to business and commerce, English is hardly sufficient to make the initial entry into the international market. Many markets prefer the use of French; for example, French is commonly used in trade negotiations with African countries.

Fluency in French, understanding the heart and soul of the language is important in today’s world of business, literature, education, and art.

Do not lose the exclusivity, sophistication, elegance and beauty of the most musical of languages ​​by widespread machines or substandard translations. Use the experienced services of expert translators who will do French justice.

Long live the French. Long live the French.