French In Primary Schools

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31041, 22 April 1966, Page 10

French In Primary Schools

Sir,—“Teacher” is probably right to urge the teaching of some practical craft to young people whose lines will be exclusively cast in this country, rather than a subject which would help them to fit into older communities elsewhere. Whether, however, “Teacher” likes it or not, a large number of French words are common currency here, under rather odd disguises. The businessman who refers modestly to displaying “noblessy oblyge,” the conscientious honorary secretary of a women’s organisation who reads apologies for absence from “mez-dayme’s” and the young sales lady who looks blankly at a customer who has asked in French parlance for the “lingerie” department, would none of them get any marks for their general education overseas. The absence of accents —acute, grave, and circumflex —in New Zealand daily papers must also add to the general misunderstanding of French words. Such omissions help to foster the national ignorance of “the language of diplomacy.”— Yours, etc., CARACTACUS. April 21, 1966.