Anglicisms are English words used in non-English languages. Call it language evolution or extermination, but English words are definitely part of the French language right now. Here are 20 anglicisms the French use daily, as well as the Quebecers.
Why Do French People Use Anglicisms?
Even though the English language is (surprisingly?) the third most spoken language in the world (Chinese and Spanish both surpass English speakers in the world), it is the most used language in tech, film, business, etc. In French-speaking countries, many people use English words instead of using French words to express things or feelings in everyday life. These are called anglicisms.
Because there are so many popular English words used daily, the French use these instead of creating their own words. This causes a lot of debates and annoyances in France, especially with l’Académie Française (the authority on everything related to the French language in France) because including more and more English words risks obliterating their precious language.
The French-speaking purists feel as though their language is in jeopardy since English words are used in almost every sentence. French is becoming more frenglish than pure French since around 90% of French speak frenglish. If you speak a little bit of French and live in an environment with French-speaking people around you, you’ll probably recognize a lot of these anglicisms the French use. Some of these anglicisms are especially used in Quebec.
20 Anglicisms That the French Use
1Flusher instead of saying tirer la chasse d’eau;
2Cheap instead of saying bon marché, abordable, à prix réduit;
French people might use “cheap” to talk about an object or… a person! “Il gagne bien sa vie et pourtant il est cheap !”
3Momentum instead of saying élan, lancée or impulsion;
