29 May, 2010

The minister of culture pays respect to du Bellay


Visiting Angers on may the 28th, the minister of culture, Frédéric Mitterrand expressed an original opinion as a member of the government entrusted, moreover, with the protection of french language. Questionned about the drifts of french toward its anglicization, Mr. Mitterrand answered : " English words do not upset me so much. In Proust's books, there are a lot of anglicisms".

In fact, many ads visible in town contain english words, and the Angers people, apparently, are not infuriated with. These words are also visible in ads originally from city hall like the recent "Artaq Awards" mentioned in a coverage in this website.

Nevertheless, the visit left place to several compliments to the french poet Joachim du Bellay with the famous "Happy like Ulysses" read by the minister himself, both symbolizing "the wealthiest moment of french litterature"(1) may be (Dubellay and Mitterand) both impressed by Rome (a city where the poet travelled and minister lived). Such an experience "is not so different of the one we live today with globalization", said Mr Mitterrand, "The french language is and must be stay and openness".

(1) quoted by Le Courrier de L'Ouest;credit photo Liré castle : ministry of culture

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