Académie française

Definition

The académie française is a prestigious institution established in 1635 that serves as the official authority on the French language and its grammar. It aims to preserve the purity of the French language, regulate its usage, and ensure that it evolves appropriately while maintaining its historical roots.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The académie française consists of 40 members known as 'les immortels,' who are elected for life and play a crucial role in shaping language norms.
2. One of its key functions is to publish the official dictionary of the French language, which serves as a reference for correct usage and spelling.
3. The institution has historically influenced not only grammar and vocabulary but also the cultural perception of the French language in society.
4. The académie's recommendations can spark debates among linguists, educators, and the public regarding the modernization and simplification of French.
5. Its existence reflects broader trends in language regulation across Europe during the 17th century, when many countries sought to formalize their languages.

Review Questions

• How does the académie française influence the evolution of the French language?
  • The académie française influences the evolution of the French language by establishing guidelines for grammar, vocabulary, and usage through its publications and recommendations. By publishing an official dictionary and periodically updating it, the institution helps maintain a standard that reflects both traditional elements and contemporary changes. This balancing act ensures that while the language evolves with society's needs, it also preserves its historical integrity.
• Evaluate the role of 'les immortels' within the académie française and their impact on language authority.
  • The role of 'les immortels' within the académie française is significant because these 40 elected members are tasked with safeguarding the French language. Their impact on language authority is profound as they decide what constitutes proper usage, which can affect education, media, and public discourse. The decisions made by these members can lead to changes in accepted norms or even spark public debates about linguistic evolution versus tradition.
• Assess how the principles set forth by the académie française align or conflict with contemporary linguistic practices in France.
  • Assessing how the principles set forth by the académie française align or conflict with contemporary linguistic practices reveals a complex relationship between tradition and modernity. On one hand, the académie strives to maintain linguistic purity, often resisting rapid changes brought on by globalization and digital communication. On the other hand, contemporary linguistic practices increasingly embrace informal usage and borrowings from other languages, challenging the academy's authority. This tension highlights ongoing debates about identity, culture, and the role of regulatory bodies in a rapidly changing world.

Related terms

Lexicon: The vocabulary of a language or the inventory of words used in a particular field or subject.

Grammar:

The system and structure of a language, including syntax, morphology, and phonology, which govern how words are combined to form sentences.

Linguistics: The scientific study of language and its structure, including the analysis of language form, meaning, and context.