Iranian leader bans usage of foreign words ... taking a page from the French?

Question

ref new article[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060729/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_foreign_words] ...

Seems like the French tried to do the same thing a few years ago ... can you commment or point me to information on the French initiative (the rules imposed or the degree of success)?

Thanks.

[ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060729/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_foreign_words ]

also see question at [ http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aniv8lQol8rWJHKdw3nu0VHzy6IX?qid=20060729063820AABzMrs ] on related topic

Answer 1

I don't think the French went so far as to enshrine the idea in national law. There may be official guidelines or local ordinances. I know they have an official list of names which people have to choose from when naming their children and PEACHES isn't on it.

Answer 2

Yes, it is exacly like the french.

The french reomved certain non-french words from the language - including email and telephone - and replaced the mwith french words.

These are both examples of isolationist propoganda designed to "protect" these languages from "corruption".

What they really are is a reaction out of fear. These places fear the influence of the west on thier cultures. They are unwilling to accept new ideas or allow thier cultures to adapt and grow. So they impose these rediculous laws in order to keep thier languages and cultures "pure"

This is nothing like making English the official language.

English can be the official language and still adopt foreign words. You do not see congress outlawing the word Bagette and instead calling it "long roll' or or outlawing iceberg and calling it "ice mountain", the first is french, the second examle is german.

this is a link tothe french initiative:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/french-stick-to-plan-to-ban-english/2006/07/23/1153593211519.html

It has failed. It will probalby work though in Iran as they can kill anyone who doesnt follow this new law.

Answer 3

Actually that sounds a lot like the "English as our official language" movement that went through Congress a few months back.

In response to the answer below me, remember that English is a mutt language. There are no "true" english words, all english words derive from another source (german, french, etc.) removing any foreign words from our language would remove all words from our language.

Don't forget that when the French didn't go along with us when we wanted to (illegally) attack Iraq, we renamed everything related to the word France (freedom fries, freedom toast, etc.)

Answer 4

This just goes to show you how masses of uneducated people can be lead by any uneducated heathen whom is in it for his own gain and not the benefit of the people.