What’s going to happen to French?
We’re getting conflicting reports. While English-speaking pundits gloat over the decline in French influence, population shifts may see French becoming the next big thing. And French still has a lot of prestige. So what’s in French’s future?
Daniel, Ben, and Kylie speak with linguist Sophie Richard on this episode of Talk the Talk.
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Cutting Room Floor
Ben has an interesting hypothesis about Disney villains, and Daniel sings his favourite part of the Gaston song. Kylie reveals the rift that stood between her and Nutella for far too long.
Sophie extends our understanding of French, including the fact that French people do not say “HON HON HON!” But we’re not sure — she might be losing her grip on the language.
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Show notes
Iran’s language watchdog battles ‘Nutella Bars’
http://www.dailysabah.com/life/2016/08/20/irans-language-watchdog-battles-nutella-bars
Iran’s language watchdog targets Nutella Bars in fight against Westernisation
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-19/iran-language-watchdog-battles-nutella-bars/7767296
In Iran, ‘Pizza’ Now Known as ‘Elastic Loaves’
http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2006/07/elastic-loaves.html
Iranian Leader: ‘Pizza’ to Be Called ‘Elastic Loaves’ in Foreign Word Ban
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/07/29/iranian-leader-pizza-to-be-called-elastic-loaves-in-foreign-word-ban.html
Iran Launches a Holy War on the English Language
http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/05/09/iran-launches-a-holy-war-on-the-english-language/
Understanding Khamenei’s objection to increased use of the English language in Iran
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/understanding-khamenei-s-objection-increased-use-english-language-iran-936032844
Let’s Stop Pretending That French Is an Important Language
https://newrepublic.com/article/116443/new-york-citys-french-dual-language-programs-are-mostly-pointless
Jeremy Paxman: French is a useless language and their achievements are ‘long past’
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/paxman-french-is-a-useless-language-and-their-achievements-are-long-past-a3220776.html
Zut alors, Jeremy Paxman! French isn’t a ‘useless’ language
https://theconversation.com/zut-alors-jeremy-paxman-french-isnt-a-useless-language-57990
French: Lingua Franca
http://www.ozy.com/acumen/french-lingua-franca/31780
Want To Know The Language Of The Future? The Data Suggests It Could Be…French
http://www.forbes.com/sites/pascalemmanuelgobry/2014/03/21/want-to-know-the-language-of-the-future-the-data-suggests-it-could-be-french/#5f24c13e3933
C’est impossible! French set to be the world’s most commonly spoken language by 2050 because of soaring population growth in sub-Saharan Africa
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3367012/C-est-impossible-French-course-world-s-commonly-spoken-language-2050.html
English is losing its status as the universal language of the Internet
http://www.techinsider.io/english-is-losing-its-status-as-the-universal-language-of-the-internet-heres-why-thats-a-good-thing-2015-12
Liège: le français est une des langues les plus enseignées au monde
https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_liege-le-francais-est-une-des-langues-les-plus-enseignees-au-monde?id=9357228
Read The Full Text Of Hillary Clinton’s Speech On The Alt-Right
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/hillary-clinton-speech-text_us_57bf4575e4b02673444f2307
Trump’s shock troops: Who are the ‘alt-right’?
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-37021991
Presidential Campaign Brings the Alt-Right Out of the Shadows
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/presidential-campaign-brings-alt-right-out-shadows-n638396
New Democratic Ad Is Just People Reading Gross Breitbart Headlines, Because Breitbart Is Gross
http://wonkette.com/605845/new-democratic-ad-is-just-people-reading-gross-breitbart-headlines-because-breitbart-is-gross
Image credit: http://www.gouvernement.fr/sites/default/files/affiche/image/2015/03/francophonie-maj.jpg
Transcript
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