French Vocabulary in Diplomacy And International Relations
This week’s post offers a French vocabulary list in diplomacy and international relations. These words comes directly from French language and are used into diplomatic discourse. Each term in French is followed by an English translation.
A few centuries ago, France was a world power;
militarily
economically
and culturally.
Therefore, naturally, the French language was also used for diplomatic affairs between several countries.
Times have changed, and even though today French is fighting a losing battle with English, the French language is still well represented in the vocabulary of diplomacy.
French: language of diplomacy in History
The Hundred Years’ War, which ended in 1453, had an effect on both French and English nationalism. Despite an effort by English officials to ban French, the language continued to thrive as the language of diplomacy throughout Europe.
The qualities of the French language itself made it a medium most suitable for diplomatic discourse. Strict rules of syntax guaranteed the precision of the sentence.
In the second half of the seventeenth century, the pre-eminence of Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (le Roi Soleil) helped to consolidate the position of French, which became the diplomatic language, replacing Latin. At that time, the French diplomatic machine was larger than any other. For over 150 years, until the French Revolution, France remained supreme in international diplomacy, setting the diplomatic pattern for the world.
Although nowadays the French language is losing its influence in diplomacy, multilateral treaties are usually concluded in two languages – English and French – with both texts considered equally authoritative.
English and French became the first two working languages at the United Nations, on the 1st February 1946.
This meant in effect that speeches made in one working language were interpreted into the other, and speeches made in the official languages were interpreted into both working languages.
French words related to diplomatic titles
Although they have been anglicized in the pronunciation of the words, certain words (mainly related to diplomatic titles) keep the same spelling. The titles and order of rank specify 3 classes of heads of missions:
Ambassadeurs (Ambassadeurs)
Envoyés, ministres (Envoys, ministers)
Chargés d’affaires (Chargés d’affaires accredited to ministers of foreign affairs)
Heads of mission are designated in English by the French word ambassador, envoy and chargés d’affaires. The generic term diplomat is, of course, also French in origin (from diplomate).
Glossary: French words still used in diplomacy
Just like the vocabulary of warfare and the military, vocabulary of diplomacy includes many words and expressions of French origin. This list defines words adopted directly from French into diplomatic discourse, now dominated by English.
A
Une ambassade: embassy
Un ambassadeur, une ambassadrice : ambassador
Un(e) attaché(e)commercial : commercial attaché
Un(e) attaché(e)culturel : cultural attaché
Un(e) attaché(e)militaire : military attaché
Un allié : an ally
Un aide-mémoire : memory aid
Un acte final : final act
Une alliance : alliance
Un adversaire : adversary
B
Bilatéral :bilateral
C
Un(e)chargé(e)d’affaire : chargé d’affaires
Un consul : consul
Un consulat : consulat
Une conférence : a conference
Coopérer : to cooperate
Une conspiration : conspiration
La chancellerie : chancery
Un communiqué : communiqué
Une collaboration : a collaboration
D
La défiance : defiance
Diplomatique : diplomatic
La diplomatie : diplomacy
Un/e diplomate : a diplomat
Un(e) dissident(e) : a dissident
Une détente : a detente (a relaxation of tension between nations)
E
L’espionnage : espionage
Un/une envoyé(e) : an envoy
Un embargo : an embargo
Un émissaire : an emissary
F
Une force majeure : force majeure (compulsion or coercion by circumstances, which one cannot control)
G
La géopolitique : geopolitics
I
Une immunité diplomatique : diplomatic immunity
Une impasse : an impass
Intervenir : to intervene
L’inviolabilité : inviolability
M
Une mission : a mission
Un ministre : a minister
N
Une nation : a nation
La négociation : a negotiation
Un négociateur : a negotiator
Négocier : to negotiate
La neutralité : neutrality
P
Le protocol: protocol
Un pacte: a pact
Proclamer : to proclaim
R
Un rapprochement : a rapprochement (A reestablishing of cordial relations, as between two countries.)
Un rapporteur : a reporter
Une ratification : a ratification
Un rapprochement: a reconciliation of interests of rival states after a period of estrangement
Ratifier : to ratify
S
Un souverain : a sovereign
Un sommet : a summit
Stipuler : to stipulate
Le service diplomatique : diplomatic service
Les services secrets : secret services
La surveillance : surveillance
T
Un traité: a treaty
Un territoire : a territory
Une table ronde : a round table
U
Unilatéral : unilateral
Un ultimatum : ultimatum
V
Un véto :veto
French lessons for diplomats
French à La Carte offers tailor-made French lessons for diplomats.
In this course, students learn the French language specializing particularly in the field of diplomacy.
The language teaching focuses on the area of International Relations.
The French lessons for diplomats are designed specifically for representatives of international organizations and embassies, whose responsibilities involve effective engagement in diplomacy and International Relations.
Your objectives:
Acquire the specific vocabulary necessary for the political and International Relations field.
Understand formal speech
Speak in highly formal speech
Develop proficiency in major protocol and diplomatic rules and customs
Reading and writing diplomatic documents
Prepare internal examinations from the Embassy
Represent, inform and protect
Content, duration and structure vary in accordance with the priorities and expectations of the participants.
Embassies such as those of the British, the United States, Finland and the Republic of the Philippines have chosen to learn French with us.