denoir 0 Posted July 18, 2003 I think the article is a bit senstionalistic. What the French did was to replace the English word for a French word in official documents. That's not strange. I doubt that there is a political reason behind it (unlike the whole 'Freedom fries' episode). The Swedish government does not either use the word "e-mail" in official documents, but "epost" which is the Swedish term for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Balschoiw 0 Posted July 18, 2003 It has to do with the advancing use of english words in local language. We have the same problem here in germany. MTV, industry and policy of course invented a lot of new words the last years. Now we have people who are afraid of mixing local language and english expressions up to much. I have to agree with them in parts. It´s pretty confusing if you have a talkshow and a lot of english expressions are used. Think of the older ones among us. They don´t understand half of the content cause they don´t know the language or the word itself. It sounds really pissed also, so I am a defender of my native speech unless the expression can´t be said in german. English is a big part of every day life already, let´s limit it to that part it already has. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akira 0 Posted July 18, 2003 It's all anti-American! Was reading in a trivia book a couple weeks ago (it was published in the early 80s). In it was an interesting tid bit. During the First World War they changed the name of saurkraut to 'Freedom Cabbage'. I guess there is precedent for it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Balschoiw 0 Posted July 18, 2003 Quote[/b] ]It's all anti-American! No I don´t think so. You know the languages from old europe are unique ones. Anyone who has learned german or french or latin at school knows that they are hard to learn. Therefore it´s pretty good in my eyes to keep up these languages. We all learn english here, but how many peops in the US learn german for example ? It is our country, our language and our decision what to do with it. This is not debateable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bn880 5 Posted July 18, 2003 Yep, you wouldn't believe how many english words get thrown around in Poland also, it's not about anti Americanism to use proper language, but it a simple matter of order and keeping your own language. If you are speaking German it seems like most words should be in German, same for Polish, French etc... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ex-RoNiN 0 Posted July 18, 2003 It's all anti-American! How can it be anti-American if we are talking about the ENGLISH language Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akira 0 Posted July 18, 2003 Man...some people just don't get sarcastic humour The Japanese use a completely different kana for foreign words (motorcycle, television, etc)....katakana. I would expect their resistence to English word encrouchment...but really I never heard much about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted July 18, 2003 I personally always prefer English terms when it comes to computers. I think just as up until the 19th century latin was accepted as the international language for medicine and biology that we can accept English as the standard language for computing. Therefor I always use English versions of software, never Swedish. I am more concerned about the English intrusions into Swedish grammar. For example in Swedish we combine words to a single entity (just like in German). For instance if you are taliking about a guy who operates a printing machine, the term would be one word "printingmachineroperator" as opposed to English where it would be "printing machine operator". There is a slowly emerging trend in Swedish to write the separate words apart. That I think is destructive to the core of the language and I strongly oppose it. The language is part of our cultural heritage and should be preserved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NurEinMensch 0 Posted July 18, 2003 Let language evolve, it's a natural process. No law will prevent that and artificial terms like "Courriel"... Come on... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hellfish6 7 Posted July 18, 2003 France changes a lot of English-originating words. They don't want to lose their culture. Simple as that. Lots of countries do that. It's not anti-American, it's just that English is a language that absorbs alot of words from other languages with little more than a difference in pronunciation. Most languages don't do that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ralphwiggum 6 Posted July 18, 2003 continuing from Hellfish's post, for example, Taco, Burrito, Quesadia, Salsa, fajita sushi anime katana boba (guess i am hungry) and many other words has been incorporated into American English. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tex -USMC- 0 Posted July 18, 2003 I think the article is a bit senstionalistic. What the French did was to replace the English word for a French word in official documents. That's not strange. I doubt that there is a political reason behind it (unlike the whole 'Freedom fries' episode).The Swedish government does not either use the word "e-mail" in official documents, but "epost" which is the Swedish term for it. There's a difference between not using or using a word and actually banning the use of a word. I know how sensitive Francophones are to the sanctity of their language (especially to Anglo invasions), but this is flat-out ridiculous. They're curbing free speech in the name of perpetuating the French language. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted July 18, 2003 It's for official governement documents. There's no freedom of speech. Or do you think that say for instance an IRS official in the US would be allowed to write revision statements in forms of erotic novels? It's the same in Sweden. In official documents its called "e-post" not "e-mail". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sanctuary 19 Posted July 18, 2003 @ July 19 2003,01:23)]I think the article is a bit senstionalistic. What the French did was to replace the English word for a French word in official documents. That's not strange. I doubt that there is a political reason behind it (unlike the whole 'Freedom fries' episode).The Swedish government does not either use the word "e-mail" in official documents, but "epost" which is the Swedish term for it. There's a difference between not using or using a word and actually banning the use of a word. I know how sensitive Francophones are to the sanctity of their language (especially to Anglo invasions), but this is flat-out ridiculous. They're curbing free speech in the name of perpetuating the French language. No one will put you in jail if you continue to use e-mail word in France. No one has banned english words from France. We have the "Academie Francaise" with one of its goal is to promote french langage in our own country (that is a minimum isnt it ?) . They have made a lot of english word to french word replacement , but no one is forced to use it. They choose what new word can be added in the french dictionnary too , but that is another topic. One example of the impact of what they have done : It is mostly with their decisions , thata law was created to make sure that videogames will have a french manual when sold in France Lot of years ago , on my CPC464 or AtariSTe foreign games had their notice in plain english (or in the langage of the country the game was developed in) without any word in french. And yes "courriel" will be used in official document from now , but it has no impact on any other things in France Oh, one last thing , we dont dance around a Jerry Lewis statue before eating american tourists and i will continue to use the word e-mail , if you worry about that ;) . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Frenchman 0 Posted July 20, 2003 English is a language that absorbs alot of words from other languages with little more than a difference in pronunciation. Most languages don't do that. It's a virus! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted July 20, 2003 Just to spite France, I'm going to have my email with ketchup from now on! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cervomix 0 Posted July 20, 2003 I'm french and here everyone use english words when it's refering to computers, i've never seen "courriel" instead of email or "cédérom" instead of CDROM excepted on some government sites. Guys who want to put new french words instead of these are 70 yo and they make us laugh, it's pathetic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Die Alive 0 Posted July 20, 2003 What's the french or other far-n equivalent to SPAM mail? -=Die Alive=- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted July 20, 2003 What's the french or other far-n equivalent to SPAM mail? -=Die Alive=- Spamiel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NurEinMensch 0 Posted July 20, 2003 Consider this a postiel spamiel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harnu 0 Posted July 20, 2003 For instance if you are taliking about a guy who operates a printing machine, the term would be one word "printingmachineroperator" as opposed to English where it would be "printing machine operator". There is a slowly emerging trend in Swedish to write the separate words apart. That I think is destructive to the core of the language and I strongly oppose it. The language is part of our cultural heritage and should be preserved. Sometimes people do that here, but we just call them hicks or rednecks  I.E.: Pronunciated as - sent-chu-wuz - as in "honey, sentchuwuz up, get me a beer" - Jeff Foxworthy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sanctuary 19 Posted July 20, 2003 What's the french or other far-n equivalent to SPAM mail? -=Die Alive=- My personnal french equivalent to spam email is " p**ain d' email de m**de " I will submit my "spam email" replacement suggestion to the Academie Francaise soon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ran 0 Posted July 20, 2003 in the french version of ICQ , spam is called "pollupostage" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sanctuary 19 Posted July 20, 2003 I have some preferences for my version, but it is because i am certainly some kind of poet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
