Language Courses France

The Story Of French Makes An Enlightening Read

Francophones throughout the world have looked to the French Academy for the correct usage of words, presumably since its establishment in 1635.

Paris, France (ePressReleases.org) May 20, 2010 - However, the latest release from French-Canadian authors Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow The Story of French questions the very role of the French Academy in the understanding of French language today.

For anyone who has ever studied French, you'll no doubt be aware of the gulf between spoken and written French. For those looking to find out more about the topic, The Story of French is an eye-opening introduction to the French attitude towards linguistic propriety. An insistence on linguistic purity influences how French is taught, spoken and written for both native speakers and student learners all around the world, and indeed Nadeau and Barlow write that despite the natural development of French over time, "[in] the back of any francophone's mind is the idea that an ideal, pure French exists somewhere."

With this premise in mind, the two authors set out to travel the world to research what they call "the mental universe of French speakers" from its center in France to such places as Canada, Senegal and Israel (where there are more French-speaking people than there are in Louisiana). Although respect for the French Academy is widespread, readers might be surprised to learn about its inefficiency. The authors write that the academic body was appointed by King Louis XIII (1601-1643) for the purpose of writing a dictionary. It was only after 55 years of work that the Dictionnaire de l'Academie francaise was published in 1694. Privately published competing editions were frowned upon by the French Academy because technical Latin words used in trades and sciences were included. Still today, it takes an average 37 years for the French Academy to write a dictionary.

For those interested to study French, it's best to immerse yourself in the language through studies abroad, according to leading French language school network ESL Schools. Operating in France and Switzerland, ESL gives students a better chance to discover the significance and impact of the French language, as well as to acquaint themselves with the differences between spoken, written and taught French. Many people continue to learn French because fluency helps to understand many cultures throughout the world. French is the second most popular foreign language studied in American schools after Spanish.

About ESL Schools: Ecole Suisse de Langues (ESL) offers students of all ages the chance to study French, German, English and Italian at their language centers in France, Germany and Switzerland. With a range of summer camps for younger learners, preparation courses for French exams, and special programs available throughout the year, ESL specializes in language courses France and in French-speaking Switzerland.

Please view French Language School PR posted on ePressReleases.org.

About ePressReleases.org:

ePressReleases.org offer Online Press Releases, online news distribution, event announcement service where you can Press Release Submission, online news release, PR, events, trade fair.