Evolution?
Languages evolve. This is an incontrovertible fact and we have only to look back as little as 100 years to see the way that all languages have changed and if we were to go back even further, these changes would be even more apparent. Generally, these changes can be attributed to two factors; additions from outside sources and general evolutionary changes from within; but should we accept these changes as part of the natural evolution of a language, or should we fight to keep a language in stasis? Well this thorny issue has been occupying our French cousins’ attentions across the channel…or should I say ‘La Manche’.
In a state of near apoplexy about the scandal of their language being affected by the increased usage of English words and phrases, the French introduced laws some while back, to heavily prohibit such usage in the public arena and where such usage is present, the offending originator must by law, offer a French translation alongside the offending ‘Anglicanism’.
Now it seems that an even more insidious attack is underway and the French are not best pleased!
It seems that their latest worry is the grievous effect of the spread of text-messaging notation and its corrupting effect upon the French language. Text-messaging, of course is a much favoured mode of communication amongst the youth of all countries and its effects can also be seen to be spreading to every language; but the French have decided that they are having none of this. For now, there are no plans to introduce legislation to combat this phenomenon, but it is under discussion in some quarters and the spread of its usage into the commercial world has brought general alarm.
All I can say is “sacré bleu”…or should that be 5-cb?