The French Academy, an institution of “immortals” who watch over the language

The French Academyto which the Spanish-Peruvian writer will enter Mario Vargas Llosais an institution founded in the 17th century to ensure the proper use of the language, although the authority of the “immortals” that make it up has dwindled since then.

From Louis XIII to the Élysée

The French Academy was founded in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, chief minister of Louis XIII, proclaimed “chief and protector” of the institution. In republican France, that function falls to the head of state.

Your mission: “Give accurate rules to our language and make it pure, eloquent and capable of dealing with the arts and sciences.”

Language has a political dimension. The Academy draws up a dictionary and spelling rules.

The language he defends is not that of the “specialists, scholars, corporations”but is located between “the use and the norm”.

Influenced by the Enlightenment movement in the 18th century, it plays an important role with three dictionaries: the spelling of 30% of the words changes and accents appear.

In 1990, he gave in on some issues, such as the francification of some foreign words. But as for Anglicisms or inclusive writing, he maintains his total rejection, considering them “a danger”.

The immortals

At present, of the 40 statutory members of the Academy, only 35 are “immortals”. Its title is inspired by the motto of the institution, “À l’immortalité” (To immortality), which recalls its mission to preserve the language.

Elected by an absolute majority, the academics are scientists, priests, writers, historians or politicians. Among the most illustrious are Montesquieu (1727), Marivaux (1742), Voltaire (1746), Chateaubriand (1811), Victor Hugo (1841, after four nominations) and Louis Pasteur (1881).

Emile Zola was rejected 25 times. And Marshal Pétain, unanimously elected in 1929, was excluded in 1945, after having headed the Vichy regime, in collaboration with Nazi Germany.

The only rule since 2010 is to be under 75 years of age to apply. But this did not prevent Mario Vargas Llosa from being elected in 2021, despite his 85 years.

The author of “Conversation in the Cathedral” He will also be the first member admitted to the Academy without ever having written in French. In 1995, the candidacy of the Spaniard Jorge Semprún, writer and former Minister of Culture in his country, was rejected, despite his writings in the language of Molière.

Several foreigners have passed through the Academy: the American Julien Green (1972), the Canadian of Haitian origin Dany Laferrière (2015) or writers such as the Cuban-French José María de Heredia (1970), the Romanian-French Eugène Ionesco (1970) or the Argentine Héctor Bianciotti (1996).

Currently, the novelist of Russian origin Andrei Makine (2016), the Franco-British poet Michael Edwards (2013) or the French writer of Chinese origin François Cheng (2002) have their seats.

Dictionary

In four centuries, the institution has produced eight dictionaries. The first dates from 1694 and the last from 1930.

Since 1986, the Academy has progressively published its 9th edition.

After centuries of opposition, the institution accepted in 2019 to feminize the names of some trades.

The sword and the dark suit

At their inauguration, all academics receive a sword and a suit of dark blue or black cloth, embroidered with olive branches in green and gold, made by a great couturier – from Lanvin to Cardin – or by the army tailor.

This one, the cheapest on the market, charges 50,000 euros (US$54,000) per suit. A bill paid by an expressly created committee.

The sword, which once marked belonging to the House of the King, is now personalized.

“immortal” women

In 1980, the writer Marguerite Yourcenar became the first elected female academic. It took a lot for her to get there.

In 1760, an academic proposed, in vain, to reserve four armchairs for women.

The first candidate was the journalist Pauline Savari, in 1893. “Women are not eligible because only one is a French citizen when they have complied with the conscription” military, they replied.

In 1910, Marie Curie’s candidacy was rejected… so as not to set a precedent.

In total, ten women have entered the institution. Currently, the Academy has six.

(With information from AFP)