French Life (Day 2) ✨
It is still good morning.
I am glad I made it in time for the time 🍀
If the weather was nice today,
I was planning to go to Samukawa Shrine, but
when the weather is bad, there is nothing
that I would force myself to do,
but when I go to Samukawa Shrine,
there are quite a few common occurrences,
which I think is also part of its charm ✨
but when I go,
I would like to gain and bring back something.
The motivation behind wanting to learn French.
I am thinking that I would like to spend time in France at least once.
If possible, while being involved in trade or similar,
I would like to move good Japanese products and good French products
back and forth
and earn a profit.
Moving things from right to left like this
is what I am thinking of doing.
I am thinking of doing this kind of moving from right to left.
Thinking about taking a margin
Actually, there are barriers around here
Even for trading companies, things don't always go well
Not just in France,
especially in places like China
even when going through Taiwanese contacts
I hear many stories about people getting deceived
so, (*I mean no harm toward China)
if you are dealing with the world
it is difficult to think
from the perspective of Japanese daily life, so
rather than the high hurdle of Chinese
the official language second to English in other regions too
I thought was French, so
while utilizing my knowledge of English
that is why I wanted to learn it.
The status of French in the world goes beyond the image of being merely a "stylish language," and it is strengthening its aspect as a "strategic language" with international influence second only to English.
In this article, I will explain the spread of French as an official language, its status in international organizations, and its future prospects, particularly in Africa.
French as the "World Language Second to English": Its Current Status and Future Prospects
While English is the most widely learned and spoken language in the world, French has established a firm position as an "international official language" right after it. Currently, along with English, French is the "only language spoken on all five continents of the world."
1. The Reach of the French Language in Numbers
According to a survey by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), the current status of the French language is as follows:
Number of speakers: Approximately 321 million (5th in the world)
Countries/regions where it is an official language: 29 countries (2nd after English, which has about 50)
Number of learners: Approximately 132 million
What is noteworthy is the large number of countries that have French as an official language. It is adopted as an official language not only in France itself but also in Canada (Quebec), Belgium, Switzerland, and many African nations.
2. The 'Privileged Status' in International Organizations
The main reason French is called the 'second official language after English' lies in its overwhelming presence in international politics and diplomacy.
In many major international organizations, French is designated as an **'official language'or 'working language' (a language used for practical business).**
United Nations (UN): One of the six official languages, and a working language of the Secretariat (along with English only).
International Olympic Committee (IOC): The first official language (Olympic venue announcements are always made in French first).
European Union (EU): One of the main working languages.
Others: International Red Cross, FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), NATO, International Court of Justice, etc.
In the world of diplomacy, French has historically been considered a 'language capable of precise expression,' and it has been valued to prevent misinterpretations of treaties.
3. Africa's Population Explosion and the Rapid Growth of French
The future of the French language lies not in Europe, but in theAfrican continent.
Due in part to the remnants of the colonial era, French is an official language in many countries in West and Central Africa. These regions are experiencing a population explosion, and the number of French speakers is increasing rapidly.
World's largest French-speaking city: Not Paris, butKinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
2050 Projection: With Africa's population growth, the number of French speakers is projected to reachover 700 million, and it is said that 80% of them will be people on the African continent.
Due to this demographic shift, French will occupy an even more important position in terms of 'business and linguistic influence' in the future.
4. Differences from Spanish and Chinese
When comparing solely by the number of speakers, Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin) surpass French. However, in terms of "reach as an official language," French holds the advantage.
Spanish: Has many speakers, but they are concentrated mainly in Central and South America and Spain.
Chinese: Has one of the largest numbers of speakers in the world, but the number of countries where it is an official language is extremely limited.
French: Because it is used as an official language across geographically dispersed regions including Europe, Africa, North America, and Oceania, it functions highly as a "global network language."
Conclusion: The value of French in a multipolar world. While English monopolizes the status of "global lingua franca," French continues to maintain its position as the "second international official language."
Especially for those aiming for careers in international organizations or the business world with an eye on the growth of the African market, mastering French means gaining access to networks that cannot be reached through English alone.
Looking toward the latter half of the 21st century, French is transforming from a "traditional language of the past" into a "dynamic language that will drive future growth."
It is said that Recruit founder Mr. Ezoe,
when taking the entrance exam for the University of Tokyo,
chose German to avoid the high competition of English.
In Sun Tzu's Art of War, there is also a part that says,
something to the effect that "the more options you have, the greater your advantage." ✨
I would like to proceed by quoting
the self-introduction section from Day 2 of this book. 🍀
Je m'appelle Yumi.
"My name is Yumi."
Je suis Takuya.
"I am Takuya."
Adding "moi" to the beginning of the sentence
seems to have the effect of emphasizing the subject.
Moi, je m'appelle Takuya.
In French self-introductions, the expression of adding "Moi" (mwah) when stating your name is very commonly heard in daily conversation. How does it differ from the "Je m'appelle..." taught in textbooks?
In this article, I will explain the nuance differences when using "Moi" and how to use it like a native speaker.
French self-introductions that stand out with "Moi": Using emphasis and rhythm
When you start learning French, you first learn the self-introduction "Je m'appelle... (My name is...)". However, in actual conversation, expressions that add "Moi" to the beginning, such as "Moi, c'est..." and "Moi, je m'appelle...", are frequently used.
Grammatically, this "Moi" is called a "tonic pronoun" (emphatic pronoun) and serves to add a specific nuance to the sentence.
1. "Moi, c'est...": The most natural daily self-introduction
This is the most commonly used form when speaking at casual parties or in a relaxed atmosphere with someone you are meeting for the first time.
Expression: "Moi, c'est [name]." (Mwah, say...)
Nuance: "(Oh, by the way,) I am..." or "As for me, I am..."
Explanation:
It is shorter and has better rhythm than "Je m'appelle". It sounds very natural when you introduce yourself after the other person has already introduced themselves, with the nuance of "Okay, now it's my turn."
2. "Moi, je m'appelle...": Contrast and emphasis
This is used after someone has already introduced themselves or when you want to clearly indicate your presence within a group.
Expression: "Moi, je m'appelle [name]." (Mwah, juh mah-pell...)
Nuance: "I (and no one else) am called..."
-
Explanation:
By placing "Moi" before "Je" (I), the subject is emphasized twice.Example: "You are Paul. I am Pierre."
French: "Toi, tu es Paul. Moi, je m'appelle Pierre."
3. Why add "Moi"? (3 reasons)
Why do French people go out of their way to add "Moi"? There are three reasons for this.
1. The role of "topic presentation"
French has a habit of saying "Moi" first before getting into the main topic as a signal that "I am going to talk about myself now." This allows you to direct the listener's attention toward you.
② Conversational Rhythm (Melody)
French is a language that emphasizes rhythm. Rather than starting abruptly with "Je m'appelle...", adding a beat with "Moi, ..." creates a pleasant tempo in conversation.
③ Contrast with the Other Person
There is a cultural background of clearly distinguishing between "you are you, and I am me." After the other person introduces themselves, "Moi" is a very useful tool for connecting by saying "As for me...".
4. Points to note when using it: What about formal situations?
Self-introductions using "Moi" are basically **colloquial (spoken language)**.
Casual/Daily life: "Moi, c'est..." and "Moi, je m'appelle..." are very welcome. They sound friendly and natural.
Business/Formal settings: In very formal interviews or strict greetings to superiors, it is safer to simply say "Je m'appelle [Full Name]." or "Je suis [Full Name].". Adding "Moi" to the beginning can sometimes feel too casual or overly assertive.
5. Application: Asking the other person back
After you introduce yourself using "Moi", the emphatic pronoun is also useful when asking for the other person's name.
"Moi, c'est Marc. Et toi ?" (I'm Marc. And you?)
"Moi, je m'appelle Marc. Et vous ?" (My name is Marc. And you?)
Summary
Je m'appelle... : The standard and polite basic form.
Moi, c'est... : The most natural way to say "I'm..." among friends or in casual settings.
Moi, je m'appelle... : An expression used when emphasizing yourself, like "As for me,", or when contrasting with the other person.
Next time you have the opportunity to introduce yourself in French, please be brave and try saying "Moi, c'est...". Just doing that will give a strong impression that you are "someone who is used to French."
This is something that, unless you actually experience it,
after seeing the reaction of the person you are talking to,
you need to know? or feel? the difference.
I think so 🥰