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| | The French language derives from the vernacular Latin spoken by the Romans in [[Gaul]], although it includes some Celtic and Germanic words. Historically, French has been used as the international language of diplomacy and commerce. Today it remains one of six official languages at the [[United Nations]] and has been a unifying factor in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. | | The French language derives from the vernacular Latin spoken by the Romans in [[Gaul]], although it includes some Celtic and Germanic words. Historically, French has been used as the international language of diplomacy and commerce. Today it remains one of six official languages at the [[United Nations]] and has been a unifying factor in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. |
| | [[Image:Sacre Coeur.jpg|thumb|Le Sacre Coeur.]] | | [[Image:Sacre Coeur.jpg|thumb|Le Sacre Coeur.]] |
| − | The French language is controlled by the French Academy (''L'Académie française''). Members of the academy are appointed for life, so there is a very conservative approach to the changing demands on the language even going as far as banning words with an English origin. The French people (and other French speakers) often ignore the "correct" French and adopt modern English words. This can cause an even wider gap opening up between the cultural elite, who prefer to follow the official French even if it is many years and even decades out of date, and ordinary French speakers who prefer to have a more useful language. There have even been arguments between the government and the academy over the introduction of "foreign" French words from countries like Belgium and Canada which the government is keen to use. Some even say that this painfully slow and traditional organization is strangling the French language. | + | The French language is controlled by the French Academy (''L'Académie française''). Members of the Academy are appointed for life, so there is a very conservative approach to the changing demands on the language even going as far as banning words with an English origin. The French people (and other French speakers) often ignore the "correct" French and adopt modern English words. This can cause an even wider gap opening up between the cultural elite, who prefer to follow the official French even if it is many years and even decades out of date, and ordinary French speakers who prefer to have a more useful language. There have even been arguments between the government and the Academy over the introduction of "foreign" French words from countries like Belgium and Canada which the government is keen to use. Some even say that this painfully slow and traditional organization is strangling the French language. |
| | === Other French government efforts to protect French culture === | | === Other French government efforts to protect French culture === |
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| | ''See also:'' [[French cuisine]] | | ''See also:'' [[French cuisine]] |
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| − | The [[French]] are well known for their culinary achievements.<ref name="thespruceeats.com">[https://www.thespruceeats.com/introduction-to-french-food-and-cooking-1375348 A Brief Introduction to French Food and Cooking] BY Rebecca Franklin</ref> | + | The [[French]] are well known for their culinary achievements.<ref name="thespruceeats.com"/> Rebecca Franklin in her article entitled ''A Brief Introduction to French Food and Cooking'' wrote: |
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| − | Rebecca Franklin in her article entitled ''A Brief Introduction to French Food and Cooking'' wrote: | |
| | {{Cquote|French food and cooking are generally considered the backbone and underpinning of many cuisines across the Western world. The influence and recognition of classical French cooking techniques are legendary. This status is precisely why French cuisine can be intimidating for a beginner to learn. | | {{Cquote|French food and cooking are generally considered the backbone and underpinning of many cuisines across the Western world. The influence and recognition of classical French cooking techniques are legendary. This status is precisely why French cuisine can be intimidating for a beginner to learn. |
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| − | French food leaves many cooks feeling that they have to live up to a certain unattainable elegance and flair. In the U.S. that may come mainly from the influence of Julia Child, the well-known writer (and later television personality) who brought French cooking to the American public. Mastering the Art of French Cooking (the title of Ms. Child's famous book) is considered by many to be the pinnacle of her culinary achievement and helped make classic French cuisine more well-known to American home cooks.<ref name="thespruceeats.com">[https://www.thespruceeats.com/introduction-to-french-food-and-cooking-1375348 A Brief Introduction to French Food and Cooking] BY Rebecca Franklin</ref>}} | + | French food leaves many cooks feeling that they have to live up to a certain unattainable elegance and flair. In the U.S. that may come mainly from the influence of Julia Child, the well-known writer (and later television personality) who brought French cooking to the American public. Mastering the Art of French Cooking (the title of Ms. Child's famous book) is considered by many to be the pinnacle of her culinary achievement and helped make classic French cuisine more well-known to American home cooks.<ref name="thespruceeats.com"/> |
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| | ==== Immigrants to France and French cuisine ==== | | ==== Immigrants to France and French cuisine ==== |