A Consideration of a Scenario: A Toaster
Published on Tuesday, January 6, 1998, on page A5 of La Presse, an intriguing article penned by Paul Roux, a colleague from the same publication, delves into the complexities of the French language in the media and the contentious issue of child naming.
Roux discusses the possibility of parents naming their child "C'est-notre-enfant-interieur", "C'est-un-toaster", or "C'est-un-fils-de-pute", names that, while unconventional, have been contemplated by some. Interestingly, the Civil Status Office previously refused parents from naming their daughter "C'est-un-ange".
The author compares the toaster to the lion, stating that in their personal lexicon, the toaster is the "lion of objects". This comparison, while unusual, is a testament to Roux's unique perspective on language and its usage.
Roux finds their own mistakes in French grammar and usage to be extensive, including issues with capital letters, hyphens, punctuation, bad usages, and anglicisms. They express concern about a child's name lasting a lifetime and question the restrictions imposed by the Civil Status Office, particularly when it comes to names like Tomás, which require an acute accent and may cause confusion for a long time.
The author suggests that the name A Léon would have caused less trouble and is also pretty. They also argue that the registers of the civil status should not collect the whims of parents but rather focus on the child's welfare and cultural suitability of the name.
The article raises questions about individual freedoms versus the common good, using examples such as naming a child, wearing an Islamic veil to school, and praying in class. Roux finds it bothersome that the Civil Status Office restricts certain names for children.
Interestingly, the article also touches upon the naming rules in Portugal, which allow the use of accented letters as they are an integral part of the Portuguese language orthography. However, Portugal has specific restrictions on baby names beyond purely orthographic concerns. In France, while the orthography of French also includes accented letters, French naming rules have historically been more restrictive but have relaxed somewhat, focusing on the child’s welfare and cultural suitability of the name rather than orthographic issues specifically.
Lastly, the book "Lexique des difficultés du français dans les médias" is available for $19.95 at La Presse and in a few bookstores, including the Square Bookstore on Saint-Denis Street. The book is not pedantic and teaches French in a way that is not scolding or belittling. Roux fears they will never be able to say "ready-to-wear" instead of "kit", "reseller" instead of "pusher", and "empty food" instead of "junk food".
This thought-provoking article by Paul Roux is a must-read for anyone interested in the intricacies of the French language and the ongoing debate about child naming.
The author questions why the Civil Status Office imposes restrictions on unconventional names like Tomás, while allowing names with accents in Portugal, implying a shift towards cultural suitability in French naming rules. One might also find Paul Roux's book "Lexique des difficultés du français dans les médias" useful, as it presents French language issues in a manner that is insightful, rather than scolding or belittling, providing insights into the complexities of French language usage in media and entertainment.
