Why English 'discounts' are not OK in France
The word may have a French root, but that has cut no ice with French language guardians the Academie français, who are not at all happy about discounts.
L'Academie francaise, established in 1635 to defend the purity of the French language, has had enough of French people using the English word ‘discount’.
In an official statement published on their website, the Academie said there was “no need” to use ‘discount’ to describe the “ancient practice” of reducing store prices, as there are multiple French words to choose from, like rabais, compte, remise or réduction.
The Academie urges against “substituting an Anglicism” when talking about price reductions.
READ ALSO Why France's language police are very worried about 'franglais'
Permanent Secretary to The Academie Française Helene Carrere d'Encausse met with President Emmanuel Macron in October. Photo: AFP
In fact, the Academie stated, the English word discount is even "borrowed from the ancient French word desconte, or descompte,” which could be found in the very first edition of the Academie’s dictionary, defined as “what one can take from or reduce on a sum that one pays.”
READ ALSO French language police release guidelines on how to swear correctly
In recent years, some French people have become increasingly fond of spicing up their language with English words, even on occasion saying "yes" instead of the French "oui".
And businesses are particularly guilty of this using English words or even whole phrases in adverts and posters as a way of grabbing attention.
The Academie has earlier warned about the spread of “franglais”, a term it uses to describe the practice of replacing French words with English, either for effect, humour or because the speaker believes an English word can express the idea better.
There is a whole category on its website dedicated to néologismes & anglicismes, new words and English words, which meticulously explains where a word originates from and what French words should be used instead. Among the words one should not use when trying to correctly speak French are défriender (unfriend someone), main stream and swag.
READ ALSO The 10 English words that will make you sound cool in France
Comments
See Also
L'Academie francaise, established in 1635 to defend the purity of the French language, has had enough of French people using the English word ‘discount’.
In an official statement published on their website, the Academie said there was “no need” to use ‘discount’ to describe the “ancient practice” of reducing store prices, as there are multiple French words to choose from, like rabais, compte, remise or réduction.
The Academie urges against “substituting an Anglicism” when talking about price reductions.
READ ALSO Why France's language police are very worried about 'franglais'
Permanent Secretary to The Academie Française Helene Carrere d'Encausse met with President Emmanuel Macron in October. Photo: AFP
In fact, the Academie stated, the English word discount is even "borrowed from the ancient French word desconte, or descompte,” which could be found in the very first edition of the Academie’s dictionary, defined as “what one can take from or reduce on a sum that one pays.”
READ ALSO French language police release guidelines on how to swear correctly
In recent years, some French people have become increasingly fond of spicing up their language with English words, even on occasion saying "yes" instead of the French "oui".
And businesses are particularly guilty of this using English words or even whole phrases in adverts and posters as a way of grabbing attention.
The Academie has earlier warned about the spread of “franglais”, a term it uses to describe the practice of replacing French words with English, either for effect, humour or because the speaker believes an English word can express the idea better.
There is a whole category on its website dedicated to néologismes & anglicismes, new words and English words, which meticulously explains where a word originates from and what French words should be used instead. Among the words one should not use when trying to correctly speak French are défriender (unfriend someone), main stream and swag.
READ ALSO The 10 English words that will make you sound cool in France
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.