The status of the French language then and now has always been associated with the upper class in any community, though in modern times that association has also extended to the educated society. As Groom (1957) reflected, “Many of the words borrowed from France indicate a desire to civilise our language according to the best example.” (p. 163) Jespersen (1967) supported this view too: “… abundant linguistic evidence for the fact that the French were the rich, the powerful, and the refined classes.” (p. 84) Halliday (1975) refers to the knowledge of French as “the sign of a [sic] superior people” (p. 67). Apart from English, French is arguably the second most frequently taught language in the world, particularly in developed and developing countries, as well as the most widespread language around the globe. The image of France as a sophisticated nation and cultural magnet is definitely an attraction to students of French as a foreign language, not to mention the cultural and personal benefits in life’s endeavours. Over fifty countries across five continents use French as an official or second language. French is also the one of the official working languages in numerous international organisations such as the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee.
When French words entered the English vocabulary, it did not only bring along its semantic function but also its association with an elite class. Modern French loanwords are known to make large contributions to selected areas which are refined in nature, such as art, literature, fashion, cuisine, architecture et cetera. For instance, Agatha Christie is famous for her fantastic, mind-boggling mysteries but even more so for her creation of French-speaking Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Books starring Hercule Poirot would have many French phrases naturally, in character of her protagonist. Part of Monsieur Poirot’s appeal, apart from his eccentric idiosyncrasies and amazing crime-solving skills, is the fact that he is (Belgian-) French. Somehow, Dame Agatha Christie’s beloved detective would not have the same appeal to her loyal readers if she had made him, say, German or Polish. The usage of French loanwords in one’s speech, particularly loanwords that still retain the French pronunciation, is a mark of the individual’s education and possibly status in society. Though an educated person who uses French phrases in his speech may not necessarily belong to the upper class, he is definitely in a class of the educated. Does that not make an educated person arguably part of a class of people higher than the less cultured?
French loanwords added a whole new dimension and flexibility to the English language through its vast contribution to the vocabulary. In almost all facets of civilisation there would be a word of French origin. It not only enriched the language, but added its brand of sophistication to the lexicon as well. It is fascinating how after nearly a millennium has passed since its inception into the language, the ever-changing evolution of the living language that is English has managed to preserve the aura of sophistication of French loanwords, from the Middle English period to Modern English times.
Bibliography
1 Barber, C. (1965). The flux of language. London: George Allen & Unwin.
2 Baugh, C. A. & Cable, T. (1993). A history of the English language (4th ed.). Great Britain: Prentice Hall.
3 Groom, B. (1957). A short history of English words. London: Macmillan & Co.
4 Halliday, F. E. (1975). The excellency of the English tongue. London: Victor Gollancz Ltd.
5 Jespersen, O. (1967). Growth and structure of the English language (9th ed.). Great Britain: Basil Blackwell Oxford.
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***The research paper received an A. Sigh. 
Posted by heather on March 15, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Thanks for showing me this – it definitely appealed to both my love of language and my love of history. If you are particularly interested in the topic of French influence on English, I recommend that you look at Canadian English, which may have even more French words/influence than British English (and often the pronunciation is better preserved than in the UK or the US).
nylusmilk: hmm, i’ve never considered that. if i could do an extended research on what i’ve done in this paper, i might look at it from that angle for sure.
Posted by Of grapes and language « Heather’s Random Thoughts on April 20, 2008 at 5:59 pm
[...] researched information along these lines, please check out this paper from someone who found my first post, and left this link. I particularly enjoy the part of about [...]