Le français dans le monde

The French are passionately attached to their language, and its protection is a basic premise of French foreign policy. So be it, argues Alain Michel. But we should not overlook the fact that a rearguard action is being fought between the defence of the language – and with it French culture – and the triumphant rise of “international English”, which is regarded with a certain disdain.
Of course, every language is a reflection of a particular culture, and we must learn foreign languages if we really want to take our place in the world. Furthermore, to defend the French language through a purely linguistic policy is totally inadequate; the strength of French depends much more on the activities of French people in upholding the country’s influence throughout the world.