The name of the Académie Française may evoke frustration among those who have struggled with the intricacies of the French language. Especially for expatriates, this institution can feel like a thorn in our side. Why must we say "un courriel" instead of "un email"? And who decided to call a soccer match "une partie" or a start-up company "une jeune-pousse"? However, it is important to note that the Académie has responsibilities beyond safeguarding the French language. The effectiveness with which it carries out these responsibilities is a subject of debate among the French population. In fact, an article in the French weekly Télérama (13 June 2007) expressed disappointment, asserting that the Académie not only failed to adapt to modern times but also did not adequately recognize the talents of the best French writers. Established in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, who served as Louis XIII's regent, the Académie represents one of the few remaining remnants of France's royal past. Its creation was a response to a need for control over academics who might pose a threat to the monarchy through their subversive ideas.

Since its establishment, the Académie française has been home to numerous eminent figures in French literature, as well as accomplished individuals in other fields such as science, medicine, oceanography, anthropology, and politics. However, it is important to note that some renowned personalities, including Molière, Gustave Flaubert, and Jean-Paul Sartre, never attained membership in the Académie. Emile Zola even faced the discouragement of 24 rejections before being acknowledged for his contributions.

While it is true that the Académie has made certain notable omissions in its canon, it must be acknowledged that the task it undertakes is far from easy. At its core, the primary objective of the Académie is to continually compile a dictionary that safeguards the distinctiveness of the French language.

In light of the expanding influence of globalization and the Internet, where the prevalence of English is pervasive in many professional environments, the Académie faces the challenge of keeping pace with the ever-evolving English vocabulary that arises to accommodate advancements in software, technology, and cyberspace. Adaptation to these new linguistic developments is essential to ensure the relevance of the French language in contemporary society.

The regulations established by Cardinal Richelieu state that the primary objective of the Académie is to diligently promote certain rules in our language, ensuring its purity, eloquence, and versatility in the arts and sciences. In response to how this mission is carried out, Maurice Druon, the Perpetual Secretary of the Académie, explained that it is achieved through regular revisions of several pages of the Dictionnaire each week. Additionally, the acceptance or rejection of newly introduced words is often determined by voting, alongside updating definitions, noting new meanings, and indicating the appropriate register of language. Cautions, warnings, statements, and judgments are also issued when necessary. The Académie strives to instill a sense of wrongdoing in those who mistreat the French language. After reaching the letter Z, the process begins anew, echoing Penelope's weaving. A new edition of the Dictionnaire is published every 30 to 50 years.

This undertaking may seem unrewarding and partly contributes to France's reputation as being monolingual and protective of their language, occasionally appearing discourteous to those with limited proficiency. However, this stereotype is gradually diminishing. Younger generations in France acknowledge the significance of learning English in order to enhance their employment prospects.

The Académie, despite its strict language policies, does make a few exceptions for certain English words such as interview, reporter, and bulldozer. However, one of the challenges faced by the Académie is its long-standing history. As the oldest of the French institutions, it has an average age of 78. It is quite remarkable that five of its members, ironically known as the "immortals," are over 90 years old, with one member being 98. Additionally, nine members are over 80 years old. It is worth noting that the Academy has only had four female members out of more than 700, with the inclusion of French-American author Marguerite Yourcenar in 1981 being a significant milestone. However, it appears that younger generations are now less interested in becoming part of the Academy, as the allure of pomp and old-fashioned costumes is no longer deemed as prestigious as it once was. In fact, there was even an act of defiance a couple of years ago when Alain Robbe-Grillet, the father of the nouveau roman, refused to wear the traditional green tailcoat, sword, and bicorn hat during his induction ceremony.

If the Académie Française wishes to revive its reputation and keep up with the evolution of language, it may consider focusing on attracting writers whose literary works contribute significantly to the notion that while the French language continues to grow and develop, its eloquent uniqueness will always endure. For more information, you can visit the official website of the Académie Française at www.academie-francaise.fr.