France’s Linguistic Heritage: The Toubon Law and Regional Language Recognition Presented by The Council of Europe On behalf of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages To the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication Lauren Radziminski 1 July 2013
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France’s Linguistic Heritage : The Toubon Law and Regional Language Recognition
France’s Linguistic Heritage : The Toubon Law and Regional Language Recognition. Presented by The Council of Europe On behalf of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages To the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication Lauren Radziminski 1 July 2013. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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France’s Linguistic Heritage:
The Toubon Law and Regional Language
Recognition
Presented by The Council of Europe On behalf of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
To the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication
Lauren Radziminski1 July 2013
Language and Culture
According to Jacques Toubon,
“the French language is ‘the cement of our national unity and a fundamental aspect of
[French] heritage,’” 1
French Language forms the foundation of France’s identity (national &
cultural)
Linguistic continuity and purity have been concerns since the 16th century.
Protecting, Purifying, and Preserving the French Language has been the goals of governments in the Fifth
Republic
1Quote from Anne Judge Linguistic Policies and the Survival of Regional Languages in France and Britain
Historical ContextLinguistic Policies and Establishment of Promotion and Preservation Institutions
1539: Ordonances de Villers-Cottêrets : use of French in state and legal documents
1966: Haut Comité pour la defense et l’expansion de la Langue Française : purification of French language
1951: allowed regional languages to be studied Only policy permitting
studies outside of French
1975: Bas-Lauriol Law : mandatory use of French and sanctioned for improper use
1986: La Francophonie: coordination efforts to promote French language and culture throughout French speaking countries
Shift in Existing Policy
Until President Sarkozy’s time, Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Fifth Republic supported policies that purified the French language, ensured continuity, and guaranteed it’s future
Shift in attitudes towards regional languages. Emergence of approval to include regional dialects and Francophonie regional languages as part of French heritage
Potential to recognize and incorporate regional languages as part of French linguistic policies
Addition of 2008 amendment signals a move away from isolationism and a move towards cultural diversity
Constitution of 1958 – Article 2
Toubon Law of 1994A constitutional amendment passed in 1992 established
The language of the Republic as French
Coupling with this amendment, the Toubon1 law outlines the proper usage of the French language, including fines and penalties for improper usage.
The Toubon law updated the existing Bas-Lauriol Law – softening the French language mandatory regulations on written and spoken advertisements, official documents, and packages
1Was named for the Cultural Minister of the time Jacques Toubon
Constitutional Law of July 23rd, 2008: Article 75-1
An amendment adds Article 75-1 to the Constitution
Regional languages form part of the French heritage
Toubon Law
Content regulator – mandates when, where, and how French entities will use French language
Closed public sphere – communication and information sharing must be done in French
Way to to sustain collective French identity
Privileges the French language over all others. No mandates for using foreign and regional languages outside of educational setting
Policy assumes state to be guardian of national and cultural identity
Article 75 -1
Preserve heritage and cultures of regional dialects and minority languages
French State needs to step-in to preserve non-traditional language heritage of citizens in Francophone countries
Assumption: belief French state is best-suited entity to determine studies and programs in support of regional or minority language communities. Need for French State intervention – prior suppressive policies
Strengths and Weaknesses
of Toubon Law
Strengths States outright
penalties for misuse or improper use of language
Guarantees French citizen the right to express themselves in French
Any foreign publication must possess a French summarization
Does not prevent use of regional languages
Weaknesses Does not apply to
products, documents, or specialties of foreign origin. Including events, conventions, seminars organized by foreigners
Applies only to public entities in France (schools, civil societies, government, workplaces, etc). Does not explicitly state use of French in private or personal use
Strengths and Weaknesses of Article
75-1 Strengths
Recognizes minority languages in Francophone countries and regional dialects in France
Weaknesses Vague definition of
tangible and intangible items that will be included as heritage (linguistic, creative arts, education, heritage sites, media outlets – not spelled out)
Does not indicate if government funding will be used to support policy
Recommendations
Change or clarify Article 2 of Constitution
Clarification statement needed defining elements of regional languages that will be included in French heritage
Ratify European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Determine French government’s role and funding that will be allocated to support regional dialect or minority language studies, creative arts programs, revitalization programs, etc.
Promote cultural diversity is in the collective interest of state, Francophone countries, and the world
Implications for French
Language
Including regional languages in Constitution will not erode French language or identity
Opens door to cultural diversity from Francophone countries
Enable greater rayonnement of French culture and language