Is French Still The Language of Molière?
The French language has been described as “the language of Molière,” referring to 18th-century playwright, actor, and famous French author Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molière. But, is French still the language of Molière in the 21st century, or have far more modern languages taken its place? In this article, we explore the history and current status of the French language to answer the question: Is French still the language of Molière?
History Of French As A Language
French has been the language of Molière since the 16th and 17th centuries, when a group of dialects known as Middle French were spoken. Middle French was the language of the court and educated people of the French-speaking world. It was based mainly on the dialect spoken in Paris at the time.
By the end of the 17th century, France had firmly established itself as one of Europe’s leading countries and its language had spread across much of the continent. French was spoken in royal courts and diplomatic circles and was used for international treaties and collaborations.
In the 18th century, France became even more powerful and influential, and its language spread further. This was thanks largely to the work of the well-known French writer, Molière, whose plays and writings used the language in an eloquent and sophisticated manner.
French As A Language Today
Today, French is spoken by over 220 million people worldwide and is the official language of several places, including France, Canada, parts of the United States and much of the African continent. French is one of the UN’s official languages, as well as being one of the European Union’s official working languages.
Despite the fact that French has been overtaken by English as the world’s leading international language, it retains many of its earlier characteristics. It is still seen as a sophisticated language and a language of good manners, particularly in official and diplomatic situations.
French, too, remains very much in use in the fields of culture, academia and technology. It is the language of many famous authors and centuries of literature, extending from Molière’s work and beyond.
Reasons For French Being Retained As The Language Of Molière
1 Molière’s Legacy: French is still the language of Molière because of his influence during the golden age of French literature in the 17th century. Molière’s plays, poetry and prose had a tremendous impact on French culture during this time and it is for this reason that French is still often referred to as “the language of Molière.”
2 Educational Impact: French is still widely taught in schools and universities today and is seen as a desirable educational pursuit. Knowing French could give students an edge in their career in the future, since many employers look favourably upon hiring those who have the language.
3 Cultural Impact: French remains much-loved by many cultures worldwide. Not only is it widely spoken in France, but it is also an official language of several European countries and it is still used in many regions of Africa.
Is French Still A Language Of Prestige?
Given that French is still widely spoken and taught, it is safe to say that it still remains a language of prestige. It is seen as a sophisticated language and a language of good manners. It also has a strong history and an influence in education, culture, politics and business.
It is clear that French is still the language of Molière in the 21st century. It retains its cultural prestige, having spread far and wide from its origins in France centuries ago, and even if it has been overtaken by more modern languages, its influence and strength have remained. French is still a desirable language to learn and speaks volumes of Molière’s influence and cultural power during his time.
