The Dictionnaire de l'Académie française is one of the most prestigious dictionaries of the French language. It is compiled by the Académie française, which was established in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, the chief minister to King Louis XIII. Here are some detailed aspects about this dictionary:
History
- First Edition: The first edition was published in 1694, after 55 years of work. This initial effort was meant to provide a standardized form of the French language, which was still quite fluid at the time.
- Subsequent Editions: There have been eight editions in total, with significant time gaps between them due to the meticulous work involved:
- 1st edition (1694)
- 2nd edition (1718)
- 3rd edition (1740)
- 4th edition (1762)
- 5th edition (1798)
- 6th edition (1835)
- 7th edition (1878)
- 8th edition (1932-1935, published in installments)
- The 9th edition is currently in progress.
Purpose and Content
- The dictionary aims to define the French language in its most correct and elegant form, reflecting the evolution of the language over time.
- It includes definitions, etymologies, usage notes, and examples from literature to illustrate word usage.
- It also acts as a regulatory tool to maintain the purity and clarity of the French language by setting standards for grammar, spelling, and usage.
Compilation Process
- The work on the dictionary is a collaborative effort by the 40 members of the Académie française, known as the "Immortals."
- Each edition reflects changes in the language, including new words, changes in meaning, and the evolution of usage. This process involves extensive research, debates, and scholarly work.
- The Academy also considers input from the public and linguistic experts, though the final decisions rest with the members of the Academy.
Influence and Criticism
- The Dictionnaire de l'Académie française has had a profound influence on the standardization of French, both within France and in other Francophone countries.
- It has been both praised for its role in preserving the language's integrity and criticized for being slow to adapt to linguistic changes, particularly in its earlier editions.
- Some critics argue that its prescriptive approach can stifle the natural evolution of language, whereas others see it as a necessary bulwark against linguistic anarchy.
Current Status
- The 9th edition, which has been in preparation for decades, is expected to be more comprehensive, reflecting contemporary usage, including terms from technology, sciences, and other modern fields.
- With the advent of digital media, there are discussions about how to integrate the dictionary into digital formats to make it more accessible to the public.
External Links
- Académie française - Official website of the Académie française.
- Larousse Dictionnaire - A commercial dictionary that reflects some of the standards set by the Academy.
- CNRTL - Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales, which provides online access to various French dictionaries.
Related Topics