Features of Regulation of Terminological Systems in France

Abstract

The article analyzes requirements related to organizational and legal mechanisms and linguistic features of managing the modern terminological system in France. Regulatory documentation on enriching the French language, as well as factual material such as approved lists of identifiable terms, is also analyzed. The article contains requirements for French terms and their definitions, as well as examples of their implementation. The results obtained can be used in the subsequent study of borrowings, term formation, or studying the mechanism of neologisms in the French language.

In France, particular attention is paid to the standardization and regulation of terms. This question is also linked to the “punctual” attitude of the State towards the French language. The French Academy (Académie française) is famous all over the world. It is part of the Institute of France (Institut de France) and is a scientific institution that studies various aspects of the French language and regulates linguistic and literary standards. The work of the Academy extends to the different stages of the development of French terms, within the framework of permanent membership in the Commission for the Enrichment of the French Language, as well as meetings of representatives of various organizations promoting diffusion of French (in particular through the creation of vocabulary, special terms), the creation of neologisms, as well as the use of the national language in the economic, legal, scientific and technical fields. As an example, we cite the dictionary article of the economic term bas de la pyramide (bottom of the pyramid), December 7, 2018: bas de la pyramide. Abréviation: BDP. Domaine: Économie et gestion d’entreprise. Définition: Segment de la clientèle potentielle disposant des revenus les plus faibles. Note: Intéressant jusqu’alors faiblement le marché, le bas de la pyramide fait désormais l’objet d’offres commerciales spécifiques. Équivalent étranger: bottom of the pyramid (BOP) (Bottom of the pyramid, Abbreviation: BDP). Field: Economics and business management. Definition: Segment of potential customers with the lowest income. Note: So far, little interest in the market, the bottom of the pyramid is now the subject of specific commercial offers. Foreign equivalent: bottom of the pyramid (BOP).