Francophonie In The 1990's: Problems and Opportunities (Multilingual Matters)

228 Pages·1996·0.77 MB·English

by  Dennis Ager

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title: "Francophonie" in the 1990's : Problems and Opportunities
Multilingual Matters (Series)
author: Ager, D. E.
publisher: Multilingual Matters
isbn10 | asin: 1853593249
print isbn13: 9781853593246
ebook isbn13: 9780585149684
language: English
subject France--Civilization--20th century, France--Relations--French-
speaking countries, French-speaking countries--Relations--
France, Civilization, Modern--French influences, French
language--Foreign countries.
publication date: 1996
lcc: DC33.9.A67 1996eb
ddc: 909/.0975410829
subject: France--Civilization--20th century, France--Relations--French-
speaking countries, French-speaking countries--Relations--
France, Civilization, Modern--French influences, French
language--Foreign countries.
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Page iii
'Francophonie' in the 1990s

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Page iv
Multilingual Matters
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Please contact us for the latest book information:
Multilingual Matters Ltd, Frankfurt Lodge, Clevedon Hall,
Victoria Road, Clevedon, Avon, England, BS21 7SJ

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Page v
'Francophonie' in the 1990s
Problems and Opportunities
Dennis Ager
MULTILINGUAL MATTERS LTD
Clevedon Philadelphia Adelaide

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Page vi
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Data available
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 1-85359-324-9 (hbk)
ISBN 1-85359-323-0 (pbk)
Multilingual Matters Ltd
UK: Frankfurt Lodge, Clevedon Hall, Victoria Road, Clevedon, Avon BS21 7SJ.
USA: 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007, USA.
Australia:P.O. Box 6025, 83 Gilles Street, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
Copyright © 1996 Dennis Ager
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by
any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed and bound in Great Britain by WBC Book Manufacturers Ltd

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Page vii
CONTENTS
Foreword ix
Acknowledgements x
Introduction 1
Part One
Contemporary Francophonie 6
1. The development of Francophonie 7
2. The distribution of contemporary Francophonie 22
Part Two
Problems of Contemporary Francophonie 43
3. Problems for French: language, culture and identity 44
4. The problem of English and other languages 63
5. The last colonies? The DOM-TOM 76
6. The economics of Francophonie 94
7. The organisation of Francophonie 117
Part Three
Opportunities for Francophonie 129
8. Africa 131
9. Asia and the Pacific 155
10. Europe 167
Conclusions 177
Appendix 194
References 205
Index 213

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LIST OF TABLES
3.1 Speakers of world languages 44
6.1 Economic diversity in Francophonie 95
6.2 Trade within Francophonie 102
6.3 Bilateral aid flows in Francophonie in 1992 105
7.1 Organisations of Francophonie 120
7.2 Liaison Committee of Francophonie INGOs 122
Al Major languages of the world 194
A2 Francophonie in the world 195
A3 Summit meetings 199
A4 French Budget provisions as at January 1994 200
A5 France's external trade by country in 1993 202
A6 Elections in the DOM-TOM,1993 and 1995 203
FIGURE
4.1 Typology of Francophonie 69

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Page ix
FOREWORD
This book examines some of the problems and opportunities facing French-speaking countries in the world in the mid-1990s.
After considering the development of French influence and presence outside France, it investigates the nature and diversity of
countries and areas of the world where French is spoken. 'Francophonie' can be defined in three ways: by the use of the French
language; by membership of a formal, organised community of nations; or by the acceptance and promotion of a set of values
and beliefs. The problems facing Francophonie in all three senses are discussed next: the identity and culture associated with
French, threats from English and other languages, the opinion of many that France's continuing overseas possessions are little
more than the world's last colonies, the disparity between North and South in economic terms, and the as yet unresolved
problem of the ideal organisational structure for Francophonie. In a final section are reviewed opportunities open to
Francophonie in three different parts of the globe: Africa, the Far East and Europe. Conclusions examine the interdependence of
four factors: language. politics, economics and cultural values.
The book is divided into three parts:
• The development and distribution of Francophonie
• Problems
• Opportunities
and is supported by a statistical appendix. The book is intended to make up-to-date information and opinion about Francophonie
accessible to English-speaking readers interested in a range of disciplines: French studies, comparative international studies,
sociolinguistics, the sociology of language, politics and economics, those concerned with questions of language and identity, and
interested general readers. It is also an assessment of how well Francophonie is placed to face the future.

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Page x
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author acknowledges the help and advice of many people and organisations in the writing of this book. Much of the work
was carried out during a period of sabbatical leave in Australia and France, and thanks are due to Aston University, to Michael
Clyne and colleagues at Monash University and to Chris Candlin and colleagues at Macquarie University. Particular thanks go
to Annis Ager, Sue Wright, and to colleagues and many generations of students at Aston. Any errors of fact or judgement
remaining are the responsibility of the author. Translations throughout have been made by the author except where specifically
mentioned.

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