The War Against the English Language
Like many nations, France, is horribly proud and nationalistic about themselves. Call it conceded but of all the nations in the EU, France continues to feel inferior to the English language. Other countries embrace the language and while France is also, the French government now has declared a linguistic war on English, the language.
While CNN recently made this a headline and a funny one or trite to most Americans, the French have declared war on English throughout their history. Maybe they wished they had never sold the vast Louisiana territory back in 1803 for very little money or had not been beaten in the French-Indian War when America was born. Maybe they are jealous that France was the major world power back when America was born and now? Just think about Justin Bieber, he's a millionaire while his dad or mom makes $40-50,000 a year.
In any case, they the object of the dominance of English as a foreign language in schools, use of English in companies, on TV, in European institutions and the lack of a vigorous policy for spreading French language and culture. English is used universally in business and IT. Specifically, its not just English (as in British English, which they seem to be okay with) but American English. American culture-movies and music drown out similar artists originating in France. In NATO, English is used between differing countries in the field and command levels. On TV, some American shows or movies are no longer translated. In former French colonies in Africa, many use English instead of French. There are many American shopping franchises in France. The French feel their culture has been eroded by the English language. I get it. Many Americans feel the same about Spanish in many US states, where it seems to be everywhere. Large urban centers have TV, radio and print totally in Spanish. There is Spanglish- a mix of English and Spanish, used by many second generation Hispanics.
So, the French Minister of Culture has declared war on American English trying to limit how it is used, where it is used and to what extent. Unlike France, I don't see the US declaring war on Spanish. We will embrace it and marry both languages to an extent.
