French – more than just a language of romance

First of all, I would like to thank The Philippine STAR for inviting me as a regular contributor to the Diplomatic Pouch. Through this space, I am very excited to share my thoughts and experiences as a diplomat, as well as on the growing ties between France and the Philippines.

I arrived in the Philippines just over a month ago and since then, I’ve been trying to build my vocabulary of Filipino words and phrases. Languages are a window to the culture and history of a country, and I can say that one of the best ways for me to better understand the Philippines and its people is through their language. So far, I’ve learned basic greetings such as “mabuhay” and “magandang umaga” and also “salamat,” but I try to learn a new word everyday. Being quite fluent in Spanish, I am able to recognize some Spanish words which have been integrated into the Filipino language – traces of the Philippines’ shared history with Europe.

I’ve chosen to write about languages today because this March is the month of the French language. Today, French is considered as the fifth most spoken language in the world, with over 300 million French speakers across continents. It is also the second most studied language after English, with 125 million people learning French worldwide.

In the Philippines, we see a growing interest among Filipinos to study French for professional reasons or to simply pursue their passion for French culture. Over 1,500 Filipinos are learning French, a large number of whom are students in public science high schools who are learning foreign languages through our existing partnership with the Department of Education. The Alliance Française de Manille has also been offering online French language classes for learners of all levels.

I might have to thank popular Netflix shows such as “Emily in Paris,” “Lupin” and “Call My Agent” for contributing to the promotion of French in the Philippines!

On a global scale, the French language opens doors to a diverse community of people and nations united by a common language and a shared commitment to values, which we call “La Francophonie.” This international grouping, formally called the “Organisation international de la Francophonie,” brings together 88 states and governments that aim to contribute to peace, democracy, human rights, cultural diversity and the development of shared and sustainable prosperity.

Together with my fellow ambassadors from Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Greece, Laos, Morocco, Switzerland and Vietnam, we will be marking the International Francophonie Day on March 20 to promote the French language and to celebrate the values which it represents.

While I continue my journey of learning Filipino, this month of the French language is also a timely occasion to share my language with the Filipino public. Here are some French words that drive the actions and represent the spirit of the Francophonie:

Diversité culturelle (cultural diversity). Diversity is at the heart of the Francophonie. Existing within the French-speaking community is a wide range of cultures – Asian, Arabic, North American, Latin American, Caribbean, African, European – all of which are freely expressed through the French language. Conversely, this diversity also contributes to the development of French as a living language.

Patrimoine (heritage). The notion of patrimoine is deeply imbued in French culture and language. It refers to heritage that is tangible or intangible, movable or immovable and natural or man-made that have been passed down to generations and which forms part of the community’s identity. The Francophonie recognizes this and, since 2001, has committed to the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage in the French-speaking world, particularly those threatened by armed conflict or by globalization.

Droits de l’Homme (human rights). Most people are familiar with the motto of the French Republic: liberté, égalité, fraternité. The Francophonie defends and promotes democracy, freedom and the rule of law in the French-speaking world alongside programs and initiatives to promote education, sustainable development and the protection of women’s and children’s rights, among other activities on the ground.

Paix (peace). French is generally known as a language of love, but it is also a language of values, including peace.  The International Organization of the Francophonie and its members have been actively supporting peace-building initiatives, particularly in Africa, by contributing to peacekeeping operations and training, as well as participating in political dialogues and summits.

Solidarité (solidarity). We live in very unprecedented times, particularly during this global health crisis. International solidarity is essential in order to overcome this challenge. On the international level, the Francophonie is doing its part to provide assistance to its members most affected by the crisis, while several French speaking countries such as France are contributing to global instruments, such as the COVAX Facility and ACT-A, to ensure universal and equitable access to much-needed supplies, expertise and vaccines.

The French language is best described by the French-speaking former Egyptian Foreign Minister Boutros Boutros-Ghali: “Cette langue porte les plus beaux mots du monde: la solidarité, la tolérance, le respect de la personne humaine, l’attachement à la diversité des cultures.” (“This language carries the most beautiful words in the world: solidarity, tolerance, respect for the human being, attachment to the diversity of cultures.”)

To all the French speakers in the Philippines and to all those who share the values upheld by the French language, I wish you all a wonderful celebration of the Francophonie!

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Michèle Boccoz is the Ambassador of France to the Philippines.