French lawmaker fined over grammar dispute
The inaugural winners of The Local's "Only in France" award goes to two French lawmakers, who were involved in heated battle over a narrow but crucial bit of grammar that resulted in a hefty fine for one of them and a furious debate over feminism.
The French are very protective of their language, especially against Anglo incursions. But sometimes the furore is about more than protecting Molière’s tongue from the likes of "weekend", "email" or "hastag".
This became clear on Monday during a hearing in the National Assembly which was being presided over by a female Parisian lawmaker, Sandrine Mezetier.
One of her fellow lawmakers, centre right-UMP Deputy Julien Aubert, asked to speak, but in doing so referred to Mezetier as ‘Madame le president’.
This is important because French assigns a gender to all nouns and 'la' proceeds words deemed to be feminine. Also feminine words frequently end with and 'e'. Metezier demanded these rules be applied to the way she was addressed by other MPs.
Accordingly she responded: “Mr. Aubert I’m calling you to order. It’s ‘Madame la presidente’. It’s a call to order without a fine, but next time…”
But Aubert refused to bend, noting that according to France’s notorious language police, l’Academie Française, "Madame la presidente" would refer to the president’s wife, which she is not.
By then Mezetier had had enough and fined her obstinate colleague, who refused even then to switch the gender of his articles.
The Local has contacted the Acadmie Française for a call on who is right, but was told it could be a couple days before the answer comes.
In the meantime the linguistic battle has prompted a war on the Twittersphere between Mezetier’s backers and detractors.
SEE ALSO: 15 things that can only happen in France
Outspoken Green party lawmaker Cecile Duflot wrote: “Thanks and support to @s_mazetier, this isn’t trivial. And many respectful UMP members don’t do this kind of thing.”
Remerciements et soutien @S_Mazetier le sujet n'est pas anecdotique. Et bcq d'UMP, respectueux, ne font pas ce cirque http://t.co/PSytX5tctK
— Cécile Duflot (@CecileDuflot) October 7, 2014
Her comments were echoed by feminist and activist Caroline de Haas who tweeted: “A woman at the head of National Assembly seems to bother @UMP. It’s true, it’s only 2014 after all.”
Une femme au perchoir, ça a l'air de sacrément embêter l' @ump. C'est vrai que nous ne sommes qu'en 2014 après tout... #viedemeuf
— Caroline De Haas (@carolinedehaas) October 7, 2014
But Mezetier’s linguistic stand also drew some harsh rebukes as well. Deputy Eric Ciotti wrote “A grotesque and ridiculous sanction against J. Aubert in the NA. The routed Socialists bring back the thought police.”
Sanction ridicule et grotesque contre le député J.Aubert à l'AN.Les socialistes en déroute rétablissent la police de la pensée !
— Eric Ciotti ن (@ECiotti) October 7, 2014
Another critic, lawmaker Pierre Morel, wrote the “The sanction against Julian Aubert is dumb Sandrine Mezetier is abusing her powers.”
La sanction contre Julien Aubert est débile Sandrine Mazetier abuse de ses prérogatives
— MOREL A L'HUISSIER (@MORELPIERRE) October 7, 2014
Comments
See Also
The French are very protective of their language, especially against Anglo incursions. But sometimes the furore is about more than protecting Molière’s tongue from the likes of "weekend", "email" or "hastag".
This became clear on Monday during a hearing in the National Assembly which was being presided over by a female Parisian lawmaker, Sandrine Mezetier.
One of her fellow lawmakers, centre right-UMP Deputy Julien Aubert, asked to speak, but in doing so referred to Mezetier as ‘Madame le president’.
This is important because French assigns a gender to all nouns and 'la' proceeds words deemed to be feminine. Also feminine words frequently end with and 'e'. Metezier demanded these rules be applied to the way she was addressed by other MPs.
Accordingly she responded: “Mr. Aubert I’m calling you to order. It’s ‘Madame la presidente’. It’s a call to order without a fine, but next time…”
But Aubert refused to bend, noting that according to France’s notorious language police, l’Academie Française, "Madame la presidente" would refer to the president’s wife, which she is not.
By then Mezetier had had enough and fined her obstinate colleague, who refused even then to switch the gender of his articles.
The Local has contacted the Acadmie Française for a call on who is right, but was told it could be a couple days before the answer comes.
In the meantime the linguistic battle has prompted a war on the Twittersphere between Mezetier’s backers and detractors.
SEE ALSO: 15 things that can only happen in France
Outspoken Green party lawmaker Cecile Duflot wrote: “Thanks and support to @s_mazetier, this isn’t trivial. And many respectful UMP members don’t do this kind of thing.”
Remerciements et soutien @S_Mazetier le sujet n'est pas anecdotique. Et bcq d'UMP, respectueux, ne font pas ce cirque http://t.co/PSytX5tctK
— Cécile Duflot (@CecileDuflot) October 7, 2014 Her comments were echoed by feminist and activist Caroline de Haas who tweeted: “A woman at the head of National Assembly seems to bother @UMP. It’s true, it’s only 2014 after all.”
Une femme au perchoir, ça a l'air de sacrément embêter l' @ump. C'est vrai que nous ne sommes qu'en 2014 après tout... #viedemeuf
— Caroline De Haas (@carolinedehaas) October 7, 2014 But Mezetier’s linguistic stand also drew some harsh rebukes as well. Deputy Eric Ciotti wrote “A grotesque and ridiculous sanction against J. Aubert in the NA. The routed Socialists bring back the thought police.”
Sanction ridicule et grotesque contre le député J.Aubert à l'AN.Les socialistes en déroute rétablissent la police de la pensée !
— Eric Ciotti ن (@ECiotti) October 7, 2014 Another critic, lawmaker Pierre Morel, wrote the “The sanction against Julian Aubert is dumb Sandrine Mezetier is abusing her powers.”
La sanction contre Julien Aubert est débile Sandrine Mazetier abuse de ses prérogatives
— MOREL A L'HUISSIER (@MORELPIERRE) October 7, 2014
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.