French president defends walking out because official spoke English

[icymist]

French president defends walking out because official spoke English

25.03.06 1.00pm


BRUSSELS - President Jacques Chirac said he had been so shocked to hear a fellow Frenchman speak English at a European Union summit that he had felt compelled to leave the room.

"I have to say I was profoundly shocked to see a Frenchman express himself in English at the (EU) Council table. That's why the French delegation and myself walked out rather than listen to that," Chirac said.

(more)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10374416

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. Okay, I'm an anti-American hack I suppose, but...

I don't have a problem with what he did. So sue me.

[Solo_in_MD]

15. I don't have a problem with it either

It solidifies the perception of a him as jingoist boor who only want cooperation when its on his terms, which IMO is an accurate assessment of him.

[demosincebirth]

17. I don't have a problem with it either.

[paul_fromatlanta]

28. I don't see how this is any different than

I don't see how this is any different than if President walked out if someone spoke a language other than English - It looks bad for a reason - its rude.

[Harper_is_Bush]

48. Supporting Chirac is not "anti-American".

That's a rightwing narrative, don't fall for it.

I think it shows the kind of man Chirac is. Intollerant and small-minded.

He was right about Iraq, but he's a moron in so many other ways.

[bemildred]

2. Jingo bells, Jingo bells, Jingo all the way.

No wonder he's got riots in the streets.

[Rex]

3. English to good fer ya?

Why did they walk out? Frenchmen can't speak other languages in front of their leader? WTF? Anyone?

[Bassic]

69. I don't know if that French official is the same man

but I have may times read of some idiots in Europe who's goal is to eliminate national distinctions. That includes language, and these morons want the death of the French language, among others.

I don't know if that guy is one of them, but if he is, then I understand why Chirac did this.

[muriel_volestrangler]

76. No serious media is reporting anything like that

I suspect you've seen some exaggerations and bullshit from unreliable bloggers.

The speaker actually said:

Mr Chirac's protest came when Mr Seilliere, the French president of the employers' association UNICE, said he would address the meeting in English.

According to a French official, Mr Seilliere was interrupted by Mr Chirac, who asked him in French why on earth he was speaking English.

He replied that English was the working language of that particular session and the accepted business language of Europe today.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4840160.stm

To insist that an international gathering is addressed in a particular language when the speaker thinks another is more appropriate is chauvinism, in its original form.

[bbinacan]

4. Chirac and his delegation

are silly. Good grief.:eyes:

[Redstone]

5. Hot diggy, let's bash the French just like the freepers do!

Redstone

[bbinacan]

6. Not bashing the French

but this was a bit petty.

[AngryAmish]

32. Do you want some freedom fries with that?

[ret5hd]

8. hey...if english wuz good enuff fer jeezus christ...

its good enuf fer frenchies! thats whut i say!

[MGKrebs]

49. LOL!

[bemildred]

10. Chirac is an asshole, and Chirac is not "the French". nt

[tsuki]

57. I concur. nt

[Dogmudgeon]

7. We Americans think the French leadership is leftist

Chirac and Villepin are Euro-Conservatives. Which includes high-octane "patriotism" like Chirac's.

Donnez-moi les Failure Fries, s'il vous plait. Avec le Ketchup.

--p!

[brmdp3123]

9. Arrogant asshole.

[Poppyseedman]

11. Jacques Chirac has a new book coming out

"How to win friends and influence enemies by being an elitist"

Geez, in a meeting at a summit where several languages are spoken, one would think a common language like English would be used as a courtesy.

Chirac needs to get a clue. French was the universal language, like 100 years ago. Not anymore.

He probably had to go pee anyway

[Bassic]

71. It doesen't matter what language is more spoken,

Speakers at such events usually speak their own languages. They are instantly translated for the delegates who don't understand them.

[Lostnote06]

12. What's the "official" UN language?.........

[Poppyseedman]

13. Greenbacks..........

is the UN offical language.

[Lostnote06]

14. LMAO.....I'm getting too old....lol

[wordpix2]

62. LOL! How true, tho

[f-bush]

16. French

is the official diplomatic language, but the real language is of who ever is sucking up to whom.

[Lostnote06]

18. Haaa Haaa, Sucking Up Sums It Up

.........I wasn't certain French was still the UN language or not, in any case it certainly was a frivolous act

[6th Borough]

20. French, however, is not the official language of EU functions.

..which this was.

All EU member state languages (some 20 or so) are recognized; the "more official" languages of EU parliamentary functions and summits are English, German, and French.

[Lostnote06]

23. Thank You for the insight

[tocqueville]

60. OK some explanations

- Chirac is an ailing, failed President and everybody is waiting for the next election
- what pissed him of was that it was a FRENCH top industrial (former representative of the employers guild) that spoke English
- Chirac thinks that if he "shows strenghth" he will be more respected. It's too late.
- The French media and the average French think that the episode was ridiculous and counterproductive.

[JohnLocke]

22. They have six working languages.

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish

[f-bush]

25. thanks for the update on the languages!

[Bassic]

70. That was an EU meeting I think, not a UN one.

People usually speak in their own languages at those, and delegates who don't speak those languages have access to instant translation.

[fedupwithbush]

19. He was right to do it.

Since when is it okay for a country to forsake its' native language at a speech for their country? If someone from here got up and said most of their speech in Spanish, I'd be pissed. Speaking in your native tongue at a meeting to represent your country shouldn't be a problem. If it is, somethings wrong. I'm really disappointed in the responses I've read so far. Is English the only language there is? And do you expect every country to deliver their speeches in English just because you think we're the uber power? I've been away from DU for a awhile and this thread kicked my butt. I thought we had "enlightened" people here, not hypocrits. I speak English, but if I were from France or Mexico or China or Japan or any other country, I would expect representatives from that country to speak their native language first. If they know English, great, but it would be a back-up, maybe for questions from English speaking reporters.

We are not all English speaking in the world.

I'll say this last. I've always been an advocate of speaking English in this country. I think anyone who lives here or wants to live here should learn or speak it. I don't like that our documents have to be printed in more than one language. One, they should know English if they are here and second, it costs businesses extra money to print their paperwork in more than one language.

I'm totally surprised at the response to this story. DU, don't change on me now. I thought you were "enlightened", to use a large word. But if this is the response in general to this thread, I was sadly mistaken.

[robcon]

21. That's a very condescending post, fedupwithbush.

Your words reflect ridiculous condescension, my lord fedup: "...I'm totally surprised at the response to this story. DU, don't change on me now. I thought you were "enlightened", to use a large word. But if this is the response in general to this thread, I was sadly mistaken."

We're only "enlightened" if we agree with you?????

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mitchtv]

40. Mexican Americans born here speak Spanish

and did before it was US america, tough shit if you don't like it .

[Critters2]

44. It IS US America, now.

Every country used to be something else. Insisting on your own way because you were here first is what children do.

Besides, the Natives were here before the Spanish. Why don't you speak their languages?

[GRLMGC]

50. Oh please

most US born Latino Americans are bilingual. The sensationalist idea that they refuse to speak English is absurd. I'm sorry if some people feel that others should ONLY speak English

[mitchtv]

52. the Indians also, try to maintain their language and cuture

Besides,the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo did not require all new citizens to learn English. It is still California, NM, AZ etc besides being US . I repeat, tough shit. Incidentally Racist mistreatment does not endear the conquered or inspire them to love English which is no where near as beautiful and expressive as Spanish. It has only been 150 years or so, give it another century

[Nikia]

43. I once went to a meeting at work w/ a bilingual speaker

Much of the workforce was Spanish speaking. The speaker spoke both in English and Spanish, basically doing his own translation. For an offical speech though it might seem weird to speak in two languages.
I am guessing that he spoke in English because more people ther understood English than French. In the article, it points out that English has become a more spoken language at EU meetings because more people in Nordic and Eastern European speak it as a second language.

[Turley]

65. That's ridiculous

Since when is it okay for a country to forsake its' native language at a speech for their country?

It was not "for their country". He was speaking in a country other than France. His audience was multi-national. He was speaking on behalf of a pan-European organization whose official language is NOT French.

If you want to read his speech, you can go to his organization's website (sorry, all in English) and read a copy.

Chirac is a petulant turd.

[Bridget Burke]

68. Well, I'm not an "English only" fan, like you....

In Houston, you see all kinds of languages in signs, in documents, etc. And you hear them being spoken on the street. Somehow, I'm not afraid.

I do think Chirac was too sensitive.

[Vidar]

24. OK by me

[theHandpuppet]

26. I don't have a problem with this

Some folks in the world object to being assimilated into the collective. Good for them!

[DemExpat]

27. So ridiculous IMO, when seen in the light of his other actions.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/24/news/chirac.php

The Chirac outburst is the latest example of the French president's linguistic protectionism. When he had a tête-à- tête with President George W. Bush last year, Chirac insisted on speaking French the whole time, forcing an interpreter to attend the dinner, according to a French official.

At a UN meeting where translation services were not provided, a British official said, Chirac pretended not to understand questions in English and demanded that Prime Minister Tony Blair, who had once addressed the French National Assembly in French, act as his interpreter.

:silly:

DemEx

[Traditional Liberal]

29. Protocol

Remember that movie? Pretty good in its day.

While it was a high-level event, the speaker did not appear to be a government official, but is a member of the business community. I doubt he was representing France, so he had the liberty to speak whatever language suited him.

Which of course does not suit Chirac one bit.

If you check out the latest edition of Wired, you'll see that the Chinese are spending major money to make their language the next international language. I for one, look forward to taking Chinese.

[ljaycox]

46. good luck..

getting everyone to adopt a non-alphabetic language. Especially one that has so many nearly exclusive spoken dialects (stems from its non-alphabetic nature.)

[UTUSN]

30. So Shrub was right to ridicule David GREGORY for speaking French? n/t

[long_green]

31. Couldn't he have just corrected the guy?

Having the whole delegation walk out for that reason makes him look kind of silly.

[bemildred]

34. It is political posturing, plain and simple.

Chirac is enough of a weasel to have put the guy up to it specifically so he (Chirac) would have the opportunity to walk out. A good dose of jingoism is just the thing for M. Chirac's domestic political problems with immigrants and economically disenfranchised (no pun intended) French youth.

[K-W]

35. The French treat thier language very differently than we do

it isnt the same as an American speaking another language.

Obviously this is all just diplomatic playing, and it is quite silly, but there is a very valid and underlying concern that European integration will attack the diversity of cultures and languages on the continent.

[CTyankee]

37. You're right about the French and their language

It's their "thing." We have the flag "thing" and they have the language "thing." Altho they do have a point when it comes to culture and esp. food. I haven't been to France in a very long time, do they have McDonald's in France?

[Pacifist Patriot]

38. *sigh* Yes.

[CTyankee]

39. Wish the French could have kept them out

When I was in Sicily last year I didn't see one American fast food restaurant. It was so pleasant. All the food there was so fresh. The open air markets were glorious with fresh fish and produce. I'm going to Italy this fall and hope I won't see any fast food places there either (altho it would be intresting to see how the Italians modify fast food to suit their tastes.

[Laughing Mirror]

56. McDonald's is all over France

Starbucks popping up everywhere too. Yes indeedy, McDonald's on every corner. This one in Paris, at the busy corner of boulevards Raspail & Montparnasse, is kinda chic looking though, ain't it?

[KevinJH87]

63. oh yea.. McD everywhere

I was there last June and there is even a McDonald's on les Champs-Elysees. It is underground in a sort of mall so it is not visible from the street. Many smaller areas have McDonald's too. Hopefully they do not show up in every town like in the USA. That would be a shame.

[Bassic]

72. Of course they do.

They've had it for many years.

[donco6]

36. There's a reason for the riots in France.

I have a friend who grew up there. He is of Moroccan extraction, but born in France proper.

What he told me - in no uncertain terms - is that the French treat anyone who isn't "French" like merde. And by "French" I mean white, European, always-lived-there-forever-and-ever, French.

He was not surprised by the riots, and said that they were a long time coming. He said France is far, far behind the US in race relations.

Now, I know this is one guy, but I've never known him to be anything but a pleasant, smiling nice guy. And when he talked about this, he was just shaking with anger.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

66. This sentiment is reflected by several people I know...

...who are white European immigrants to France.

[Bassic]

73. The situation is more complicated than that.

There are indeed very strong racial tensions in France and unfortunately, everybody on either side is turning to hard-core views bordering on extremism, that includes both the native French and the Muslim imigrants or descendants.

Sadly, the French are becoming more and more racist while tempers on both sides continue to flare. This is going to get worse before it gets better.

[c_naptik]

77. Not so sure

I'm French and have lived for over 20 years (most of my life) in France and I have never really felt this. The French in general treat non-French like shit, true, but not those who have always lived there and are not white Europeans. One exception may be the Muslims as you all can see in the news...

I can only tell that many French don't like other Europeans who can't speak French etc. So, as someone else said, I think French, the language, really is the French's "thing". They get very sensitive about it!

Maybe I'm just naive and have always accepted French people who didn't look French, they've always been French to me, Indians, Asians, Muslims, because they all share the same French culture that you can't fail to notice very easily.

[Ratty]

41. On the one hand I'm sympathetic

It's alarming how English linguistic hegemony is literally destroying other languages. It's sad whenever one hears of the last few native speakers of some language or other dying. I sympathize with a desire to preserve a language and the culture built around it.

Then I have to read one of those damn Canadian government publications where every title is repeated, one in English, one in French, and half the book is written entirely in French and I think, God, the absurdity! Not to mention all the poor trees.

Look, "preserving" a language is an illusion. It's artifical, it's contrary to what languages are all about. Languages don't like it when people do it to them. It's no coincidence that language and culture have such a strong relationship. You're in the global marketplace now France. Borders are less relevant than they were a century ago. People come and go, share entertainment and literature like they never did before in all of history. Your language is doing what it wants to do, what it needs to do. If you love it, set it free.

[Nikia]

42. The French have pushed French linguistic hegemony in France

There have been many regional languages in France. Many of them are extinct or spoken by few people because the Frnech government pressed for a French national identity which included speaking French.

[Critters2]

45. I don't know

I know Bretons who still speak Breton. Quite a few of 'em.

[harpboy_ak]

53. Only since WW II

Britanny finally got some autonomy and their language back in the schools after WW II. For most of the previous 200 years, various French governments attempted to suppress the language.

[c_naptik]

78. Well said!

I like what you said very much Ratty! You can't preserve languages because they eveolve with culture, it's so true. Trying to preserve it would be against its natural evolution, it's backwards-thinking.
I love foreign languages very much, and I admit I would feel sad to see some European languages disappear, but if that's the way it goes, I won't oppose it either! For one thing it might bring Europeans even closer.

[Harper_is_Bush]

47. Chirac is an intollerant boob.

Discriminating against a language. What a jerk.

[Odin2005]

51. Chirac thinks he's the next DeGaulle.

In reality he is just an arrogant asshole, just like DeDaulle. France's inferiority complex is astounding, they can't accept they are not a great power anymore. If they French are smart the Socialists will kick his ass in thier next election.

[Hardrada]

54. Everything went down hill when they quit using Latin anyway.

Censeo me de rerum diplomaticum.

[Canuckistanian]

55. Linguistic chauvinism sucks, don't it?

And especially from the culture that coined the word "chauvinism".

[Orsino]

58. Let's organize to walk out of * addresses...

...until he learns to speak English.

[tocqueville]

59. Chirac speaks English

not very, very good, but he understands it quite well.

[wordpix2]

61. hahaha, that's a good one

[KevinJH87]

64. does not represent French anymore

Whether you support Chirac and his action or not, it was how he went about this that hurt him. He could have gone about this in many better ways.

I am no expert in French politics, but it is fairly easy to see that Chirac does not represent the French people now. Of course, Bush does not represents most Americans (I hope). I would like to see the reaction from Republicans if France elects a socialist, or even a liberal candidate. I do not think many Americans have any idea that in France, Chirac is conservative.

[cleofus1]

67. apparently this a deep and profound topic

that can be viewed on several different levels...

i suggest we all try to learn 1 or 2 other languages besides english...it will make us less nationalistic, and possibly better able to understand points of view that currently seem inaccessable and alien...

[Bassic]

74. That's true.

My first language is french. As a french-canadian, I am very sensitive to preserving french language and culture here in Canada and am naturally inclined to agree with it in France.

But I am perfectly bilingual and speak English very well, which allows me to get a better understanding of Anglo-saxon culture. Opening yourselves to other cultures in a good thing when you are interrested in internationla relations, otherwise there are many events that you just won't be able to understand.

I think that's one of the biggest weeknesses of American top diplomats (ie Condy and Shrub) in this administration.

[KevinJH87]

75. definitely

I am 1/2 French and though I live in the U.S. I am bilingual and have frequently visited France. I think that this is a great advantage in understanding different cultures and point of views.