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French Ministry Bans "E-Mail"

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March 7, 2000: This message was distributed by Papyrus News, a free e-mail distribution list on the global impact of information technology on language, literacy, and education. Feel free to forward this message to others, preferably with this introduction. For information on Papyrus News, including how to (un)subscribe or access archives, see <http://www.lll.hawaii.edu/web/faculty/markw/papyrus-news.html>.

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FRENCH MINISTRY BANS ENGLISH "E-MAIL"

In an effort to limit the spread of English throughout the Internet, the French Ministry of Finance has banned from official French civil service use such common English language business words as "e-mail" and "startup." In their stead, civil servants are directed to use the phrases "courrier electronique" and "jeune pousse" (a young plant). The announcement came as two French newspapers -- Liberation and Le Monde -- reported that French President Chirac had used the phrase "les start-ups" last week as he toured Republic Alley, a building in Paris that houses many young French Internet businesses. (UPI 6 Mar 2000)


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Last updated: March 9, 2000