French Language's Diplomatic Role Debated at Sorbonne Event

On September 4-5, 2026, the Sorbonne in Paris hosts 'La Fabrique de la Diplomatie', a two-day event organized by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The event features roundtable discussions on major international issues and the inner workings of diplomacy. One key session examines the evolution of French as a diplomatic language. Xavier North, President of the Alliance française de Paris, notes that until the 19th century, treaties were drafted in French due to its precision. Since the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, diplomatic texts have been written in two languages. Today, while English dominates, French remains one of several diplomatic languages. North emphasizes that languages are instruments of power, reflecting power dynamics. He adds that French retains appeal due to its rich literary and intellectual heritage. Bérangère Denizeau, deputy director of ESIT (École supérieure d'interprètes et de traducteurs) and a lecturer at Sorbonne Nouvelle, advocates for multilingualism in diplomatic institutions. ESIT, which will soon celebrate its 70th anniversary, trains both francophone and non-francophone students, providing them with methodologies to translate across all fields. The event also includes Lucie Bouteloup's weekly language segment 'la puce à l'oreille', where she and lexicographer Géraldine Moisnard from Le Robert editions explore the origins of the expression 'peigner la girafe'.