When we talk about “anglicisme,” we’re talking about how English has influenced the French language. This term may carry negative connotations, suggesting an English takeover of French, especially in our globalized world. But is that truly the case?
The Truth Behind Anglicisme
While some may argue that French borrowed many words from other languages, particularly English, is not a new phenomenon. In fact, French has been adopting English terms for centuries, and this process of linguistic exchange is much more nuanced than it may seem at first glance.
To understand the history of these borrowings, let’s take a closer look at some examples of English loanwords in French, organized by time periods:
Before 1700
- ajourner (adjourn)
- gentleman
- groom
- lord-maire (lord mayor)
- paquebot (packet boat)
1700-1800
- anesthésie (anesthesia)
- pickpocket
- stick
1800-1900
- autobiographie (autobiography)
- bifteck (beefsteak)
- goal
- lunch
- speech
1900-1960
- autocar
- bulldozer
- chewing-gum
- marketing
- station service
1960 Onwards
- audit
- jogging
- pesticide
Different Types of Loanwords
Beyond these specific examples, French has also borrowed English meanings for existing words, a process known as semantic loans. For instance:
- conventionnel (originally meaning “traditional”) now also means “conventional.”
- négocier (originally meaning “negotiation”) has gained the meaning of “fulfillment.”
Some words even made a full round trip—borrowed by English from French, only to be borrowed back later. For example:
- challenge
- coach
Then, there’s the phenomenon of literal translations, or parodies, where French translates English expressions word-for-word:
- guerre froide (cold war)
- cols blancs et cols bleus (white-collar and blue-collar workers)
- homme de la rue (the man in the street)
Why Has Borrowing Increased?
In recent decades, the rate of borrowing from English has accelerated, largely due to English becoming the global language of communication in fields like science, technology, economics, and sports. Its simplicity and imagery make it well-suited for the fast pace of modern society, although this simplicity can sometimes reduce the precision of the language, especially in American English.
The term franglais (a mix of French and English) was coined in 1959 by Étiemble, who popularized it in his book Do You Speak English French?. Similar hybrids exist in other languages, such as Spanglish (Spanish-English) and Japlish (Japanese-English).
But how prevalent are English loanwords in French today?
The Numbers: How Much English is in French?
In 1990, a book titled Dictionary of Anglicisms recorded fewer than 3,000 English loanwords in French, and many of these were already outdated. By 1998, the number had slightly increased, with estimates suggesting that 4-5% of commonly used French words are of English origin. However, many of these loanwords are confined to specific professional fields and are not part of everyday French conversation.
The latest edition of the Dictionnaire de l’Académie Française lists 38,897 words, of which only 686 (1.76%) come from English, with 51 from American English specifically. Interestingly, French has borrowed more from Italian than from English, with 753 words (1.93%) coming from Italian. Despite public concern about “anglicisme,” English loanwords make up a relatively small portion of the French vocabulary.
The French Response: Protecting the Language
To maintain the purity of the French language, France passed Loi Toubon in 1993, which restricts the use of foreign loanwords, including anglicisms, in official documents and commercial publications. When it’s necessary to use an English term, it’s often italicized or placed in quotation marks to signal its foreign origin.
However, instead of completely resisting borrowed words, French authorities focus on careful selection. The Académie Française, which oversees the French language, plays an important role in this process. They regularly publish French equivalents for foreign terms in the FranceTerme database, helping to maintain the integrity of the language while allowing for natural linguistic evolution.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach
While English has certainly influenced French, the actual impact may not be as overwhelming as it seems. Borrowing from other languages is a natural part of linguistic evolution, and as long as it’s done thoughtfully, it enriches rather than diminishes a language. The Académie Française continues to guide this process, ensuring that French remains dynamic yet true to its roots.
So, next time you see or hear an English word in a French conversation, remember: it’s not an invasion; it’s just a reflection of the ever-changing nature of language!
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