Ep10 - Le français, c'était mieux avant ?

Key Takeaways: #

The French Language is Constantly Evolving: The way people speak and write French today is different than it was in the past, and this is a natural process of language evolution.
Past-ism is a Common Bias: People tend to romanticize the past and believe things were better before, often overlooking the challenges and complexities of those times.
Language Evolution is Influenced by Media: The rise of digital media, social networks, and accessible platforms have accelerated language change, increasing exposure to diverse accents and slang.

Increased exposure to diverse accents and ways of speaking: Social media and television have democratized the ability to be heard, leading to a more diverse range of spoken French.
Viral language trends: Spreading of popular expressions and slang through social media has a significant impact on the evolution of the language.
The shift from professional to amateur speakers: Previously, only actors, journalists, and public figures were seen by the masses, leading to a more standardized and formal language. Now, anyone with a phone can share content, leading to a wider range of speech styles.

"The language evolves more and more quickly because it is influenced by the content that is broadcast on television or on social media."

Limited access to information in the past: While literacy rates are high today, they were much lower in the past. This means it's difficult to compare language usage, as fewer people were writing and expressing themselves.
Idealization of the past: It's natural to romanticize the past and focus on positive memories, leading to a distorted view of how people spoke and wrote.
Nostalgia, not factual evidence: Often, the belief that people spoke "better" before is rooted in nostalgia for a simpler time, rather than an objective assessment of language use.

"We tend to remember more of the positive past events rather than the negative events."

Increased exposure to foreign vocabulary: Globalization and the rise of English as a global language have led to the incorporation of English terms into French, particularly in business and technology.
Immigration and slang: France's diverse population contributes to the merging of various languages and dialects, enriching the vocabulary and slang used by young people.
Language change is natural: While some people resist the influence of foreign languages, it's a natural part of language evolution. Throughout history, French has adopted words from other languages (e.g., Italian during the Renaissance, Arabic in the Middle Ages).

"It would be completely utopian to think that we can prevent it."

Be mindful of past-ism: Challenge your assumptions about the past and understand that language change is inevitable.
Embrace the diversity of language: Appreciate the richness and dynamism of the French Language, including its evolving vocabulary and different ways of speaking.
Be an active participant in language evolution: Contribute to the ongoing evolution of French through your own communication and embrace new expressions.

Summary for: Youtube