دانلود کتاب Talking in Tongues: Exploring French and Québécois Identity Through Dialogue in Music

L’Académie Française was founded in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu under King Louis XIV to decide what words constitute the French language. This linguistic standard establishes a foundation for the cultural standards of those for whom speaking French is a defining factor of their identity. My research explores the relationship between the Academy’s preservation of a French language standard and the variations of that standard employed by actual speakers in communication and self-definition. Pop music is a particularly interesting battle ground because it is a pivotal component of culture that bridges language and culture gaps alike. This is the medium through which I explore the evolution versus preservation of French and Francophone identity as expressed through language. The analysis of song lyrics from French groups like Moussu T e lei Jovents and Zebda, as well as Québécois artists such as Mononc’ Serge, Les Cowboys Fringants, and Loco Locass, will provide insight into the effect of deviation from standard French on an artist’s message. The effect of these variations and the implications of cultural nuances in the environments of artists and audiences will be evaluated by literary analysis of academic papers and news articles on French language, Québécois language and culture, and the artists in question. Interviews with the artists will provide a first person account of why they choose the words they do; are these linguistic variations and adaptations something the artists themselves view as productive or destructive to the international identity for which the Academy standard serves as a foundation? Is it a rebellion or simply an authentic expression of self? This study will provide insight into the survival of a language – does variation pose a threat, or is the manifestation of identity in language the answer to long term preservation of both language and culture?