Binu Paul email: b.paul@mobilenapps.com
In a bid to protect its national language, France has introduced a list of words and terms that the administrations demand should be avoided by public figures and teachers. Interestingly, the Twitter term 'hashtag' has been named as one of those terms that can allegedly undermine the country's 'linguistic purity.'
Académie Française, the body responsible for maintaining the standards of French, decreed that henceforth the French word 'mot-dièse' to be used in reference to the symbol used to tag your micro-blogging posts as a 'hashtag.'
The decision was announced on the government-run Web site Journal Officiel and The Local reports that 'mot-dièse' literally means 'Sharp Word' which the French authorities define as a 'series of characters preceded by the # symbol.'
France's official language police, Commission Générale de Terminologie et de Néologie seeks to find French alternatives for anglicisms and the decision to replace hashtag came after the commission validated the choice of 'mot-dièse' as a replacement for the famous Twitter term.
The commission looks to encourage the presence of French language on social media networks and as part of its initiatives, many English words such as 'email', 'blog', 'chewing gum', 'weekend', 'take-away', 'supermodel', 'parking', and 'low-cost airline' are banned by the French officials.
However, according to a Daily Mail report, "critics swiftly pointed out that the two words are technically different, with the English hashtag symbol leaning to the right and denoting an abbreviation for 'number', equivalent to 'no'."
The French move is hardly unusual as it has a long history of aggressive approach in policing its language to prevent it from the invasion of English words. However, the decision to replace hashtag is viewed as an action with greater significance than just purifying the French language. The French government had directed the micro-blogging social media to identify the hands behind anti-Semitic, racist and homophobic tweets. It gave examples of offensive hashtags such as #UnBonJuif (a good Jew), #SiMaFilleRamèneUnNoir (if my daughter brings home a black guy) and #SiMonFilsEstGay (if my son is gay) that sparked outrage across the country. The government wants to book the authors of such tweets under the country's hate-speech laws.
most read
more stories from News
Experience AI-enhanced One UI 6.1 on your Galaxy Z Fold 4. Upgrade now for smarter interactions and enhanced user experience!
ernest hamiltonBumble's dynamic shift: Women no longer need to make the first move. Explore automated conversation starters and new dynamics!
ernest hamiltonDiscover the latest leaked specs for the Sony Xperia 1 VI, including cameras, chipset, and battery details. Stay updated!
ernest hamiltonThe Rabbit R1 appears to be just an Android app, despite earlier speculations. Read more about Rabbit's denial.
ernest hamiltonGoogle introduces a playful twist to calls with audio emojis, including a fart button. Discover the fun!
ernest hamiltonDiscover how Apple's Safari AI upgrade is revolutionizing browsing. Click to stay ahead with the latest tech insights!
ernest hamiltonStay updated on Apple's efforts to fix iPhone alarm silence bug. Read more for the latest on this critical issue!
ernest hamiltonGoogle transitions Fitbit Pay to Google Wallet worldwide, streamlining payment experiences. Stay informed on this significant development!
ernest hamilton