MPs struggle to kill off Franglais

(First Edition)

AS ONE French newspaper promised its readers it would never again give them a 'scoop' and would in future confine itself to 'primeurs', a word more usually associated with new wine, the National Assembly wound up its debate yesterday on a new law to protect the French language.

The law, tabled by Jacques Toubon, the Gaullist Culture Minister, imposes fines and even prison for the use of foreign, especially English, words and expressions where a French word will do. It aims particularly at advertising, the media, work contracts, instruction leaflets and also communication at international congresses held in France.

With the government holding an overwhelming majority in the lower house of parliament, the law was sure to pass when deputies voted last night.

Next, it will be published in the Journal Officiel, where laws are promulgated. Then, in all likelihood, it will meet the fate of many French laws, such as the 18-month-old legislation which limits smoking in public places, and be instantly forgotten.

Since Mr Toubon published his first draft earlier this year, broadcasters and some of his political allies seem to have gone out of their way to put trans-Atlantic expressions into their public utterances. Segolene Royal, a minister in the last Socialist government, asked 'will my five-year-old son be put in prison when he asks to put on his T-shirt?'

Laurent Dominati, a member of the centre-right Union for French Democracy (UDF), said 'I plead for the independence of French, not just from English but also and above all from the state.'

Miles Kington, page 19