[lg policy] Flemish in France

[Harold Schiffman]

Flemish in France

http://www.uoc.es/euromosaic/web/document/neerlandes/an/i1/i1.html
Research Centre of Multilingualism 	Version française
Flemish in France 	

   1. Introduction
   2. The language in the country
         1. General information on the language community
         2. Geographical and language background
         3. General history and history of thelanguage
         4. Legal status and official policies
   3. The use of the language in various fields
         1. Education
         2. Judicial Authorities
         3. Public Authorities and services
         4. Mass media and Information technology
         5. The Arts
         6. The business world
         7. Family and social use of the language
         8. Transnational exchanges
   4. Conclusion

1. Introduction

There is no dat for this topic.

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2. The language in the country

2.1. General information on the language community

Flemish is spoken in the north-west of France by an estimated
population of 20,000 daily speakers and 40,000 occasional speakers. It
is spoken alongside French, which is gradually replacing it for all
purposes and in all areas of communication. It is a variety of Western
Flemish that belongs to the Dutch sub-group of the German language
family. The existence of Flemish in the area is evidence by its use in
place names since the eighth century, in ninth-century commentaries
and 13th century administrative documents.

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2.2. Geographical and language background

Flemish is spoken in north-western France, in the area between
Dunkerque, Bourbourg, Saint-Omer and Bailleul. This area roughly
covers the arrondissement of Dunkerque (Nord-Pas-de-Calais Region). It
is often referred to as "Flandre maritime" (maritime Flanders) and
people used to speak of "Flandre flamingante" (Flemish Flanders) as
opposed to "Flandre Lilloise" or "Flandre wallingante" (Walloon
Flanders). Outside this region, other varieties of the same language
are spoken in Belgium (in Flanders and Brussels, as well as a few
Communes in Wallonia) and the Netherlands, by 5.6 million and 12
million speakers, respectively. The language is also used in some old
Dutch colonies, including some Caribbean islands and Suriname. The
Dutch language is also the basis of Afrikaans, which is spoken in
South Africa and Namibia.

The region has a total population of 3,932,939, or 7.24% of the total
population of France, and 320 people live in maritime Flanders. The
total population of the Nord Département fell by approximately 5000
between March 1982 and January 1986. Population density is around 317
people per km 2 and a third of the population is under the age of 30,
whilst 16% is over the age of 60. Emigration is taking place,
especially from towns whose livelihood has been based on the mining,
iron-and-steel and textiles industries. According to our
correspondent, Flemish has virtually disappeared from urban areas.

According to Röhrig (1987), some 20% of people living in maritime
Flanders are of Flemish mother-tongue. However, only 5% of them use
Flemish on a daily basis. The enormous differences that can be
observed between the generations seem to point to the disappearance of
the language. The generation of grandparents divides into 36%
French-speakers, 38% Flemish-speakers and 26% using both languages,
whereas the generation of parents divides into 75% French-speakers,
25% Flemish-speakers and 25% using both languages. The younger
generation uses the languages in the proportions of 99% French, 1%
Flemish and 8% both. A study conducted in 1981 also pinpointed a
decline in the use and knowledge of Flemish among young people, in
comparison with their parents. Only 5% of young people said that they
often used Flemish, in comparison with 54% of their parents; 23% of
young people used Flemish sometimes, in comparison with 22% of
parents; and finally, 72% of young people said they never used
Flemish, in comparison with 54% of parents. From the point of view of
passive knowledge of the language, only 11% of young people said they
had a very good knowledge, in comparison with 46% of their parents;
32% of young people said they had some knowledge, in comparison with
23% of parents; and 57% said they had no knowledge, in comparison with
31% of parents.

In terms of the economy, the Nord-Pas-De-Calais Region comes fourth in
the list of France's 21 regions as regards gross domestic product, but
falls to 16th place in terms of per capita gross domestic product when
the large number of people who are unemployed are taken into account.
It has the highest emigration rate in France, with some 10people
having left the region every year between 1980 and 1990. The primary
sector focuses on agriculture and fishing and, although agriculture
provides employment for only 5.5% of the population, the region has
the third highest agricultural output in France. A third of the
fisheries catch is obtained along the 140 km of coastline. The
traditional industries are textiles, mechanical engineering, glass and
iron and steel. The number of coal mines fell from 109 in 1945 to just
4 in 1987. The textiles industry employs 70people, accounts for a
fifth of jobs in the region and produces a quarter of France's
textiles output. The atomic energy produced at the Gravelines power
station in Dunkerque accounts for 12.4% of France's nuclear energy.
The iron-and-steel company SOLLAC employs 15people in the region. The
food industry is currently expanding, with companies such as Nestlé,
Suchard, Bonduelle and McCain having plants in the region. Since the
1970s, job losses in the mining industry have been offset by the
development of the service sector, particularly in the areas of health
care and goods haulage.

In an area which, until 1950, had close on 50 seasonal or
frontier-zone Belgian workers, the reverse is now true, with some 50
workers from the Nord Département working in neighbouring areas of
Belgium.

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2.3. General history and history of the language

Flemish is based on the Frankish introduced by the conquering Franks
following the decline of the Roman Empire around 406 AD. The French
Flemings can trace their cultural and linguistic roots back to the
time when the region was ruled by the Counts of Flanders, from 892
onwards - a heritage that was not broken by the fact that the region
later came under the rule of France, the Hapsburgs, Spain and the
Netherlands. French Flanders became a part of France in the late 17th
century. The Nord and Pas-de-Calais Départements were created in
February 1790. French Flanders became a definitive part of France in
1713.

Dutch was still being used in maritime Flanders as the language of
literature and local administration up to the time of the French
Revolution. Since then, Flemish has lost all its links with language
and cultural developments in Belgium and the Netherlands and now
survives only by oral tradition. The links with its unique linguistic
past are gradually disappearing because of acculturation with respect
to the old mother tongue.

The last few years have seen tensions surrounding the fight for the
free Uylenspiegel radio station between 1978 and 1982. In 1981, the
workers' college of Hazebrouk brought together a number of cultural
associations to publish a manifesto for the teaching of the old mother
tongue. The introduction of options in Flemish language and culture in
six secondary schools in 1982 gave rise to rivalries concerning the
teaching of Flemish as opposed to Dutch. In 1986, the teaching of
Dutch was promoted in primary schools in south Wervik. Then, in 1989,
Dutch classes were introduced in the primary and secondary schools of
Bailleul. These two projects were undertaken as part of a programme of
exchanges between France, the Netherlands and Belgian Flanders. None
of these initiatives had the primary aim of influencing language
policy or preventing the disappearance of the Flemish language in
society.

There has been no opposition movement in the linguistic field but the
lack of support by regional and national authorities has placed
obstacles in the way of initiatives whose purpose was to promote the
traditional Flemish language and culture.

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2.4. Legal status and official policies

The Flemish language is not afforded any legal status in France,
either by central or regional institutions. It enjoys no official
recognition, either by the public authorities or by the education
system.

According to our correspondent, Flemish plays no part in legislation,
except in the Savary Memorandum (Ministerial Memorandum 82-261 of
211982), which promised financial support for the teaching of regional
languages in schools and universities for a period of three years.
Again according to our correspondent, implementation of this
memorandum has had very little effect.

The population, we understand, is of the opinion that the French
Government does not feel that Flemish helps to enrich France's
heritage but that, on the contrary, it sees it as being of little
value. Consequently, it provides no support for the language in the
region.

As for the regional authorities, apart from a few statements of
principle, they have done nothing practical to support the Flemish
language. Their cultural policy actually tends to be hostile to
Flemish-speakers.

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3. The use of the language in various fields

3.1. Education

Dutch is taught as a foreign language at primary, secondary and
post-secondary level. Responsibility for this teaching lies with the
Vice-Chancellor of Lille. By contrast, classes are never taught
through the medium of Dutch.

The past few years have seen a significant increase in Dutch classes,
particularly in Bailleul. The unique situation in Bailleul is
explained by historical reasons (Dutch remained the teaching medium,
both under Louis XIV and the Republic) but mainly by the activities of
a few eminent promoters in Bailleul, such as the current burgomaster,
Delobel, who speaks very little Dutch himself but is strongly
committed to everyone in the area learning the language.

This rising trend applies to the teaching of Dutch as a foreign
language, whilst interest in regional Flemish continues to decline.
The ambiguous relationships between the teaching of Dutch as a foreign
language and regional Flemish is leading to some lack of understanding
between employees in the cultural and educational sectors, on the one
hand, and Flemish activists, on the other. Policy measures to support
one or the other of these languages prevent anyone from having an
objective view, as do the nationalist movements that are supported by
Belgian Flanders. Language schemes do not enjoy the support either of
French linguists or of scientific research. There are a few State
regulations governing the teaching of Flemish history and culture.
However, of the six secondary schools that originally introduced
classes in Flemish, only one is still offering this option.

There are no inspection bodies supervising Dutch teaching at the same
level as for other European languages. The State has, moreover, taken
no measures to support, encourage or offer Dutch classes outside the
region.

Dutch is not used in pre-school education. However, Dutch is offered
as an option in primary schools in south Wervik and Bailleul. 820
pupils have currently opted to study Dutch in Bailleul, where the
teaching of Dutch is most actively promoted.

Dutch is an optional subject in some secondary schools. There are
currently some 500 pupils who have chosen Dutch as an option. History
and geography textbooks are available in Dutch. In general, there has
been a relative increase in use of the language in secondary
education.

Dutch is taught as a modern foreign language at the universities of
Dunkerque and Lille. There has, however, been a reduction in interest
at this level. Only some 120 students are currently enrolled for Dutch
studies at these universities and our correspondent explains this drop
in student numbers by, among other things, the fact that there are no
links between Dutch as a foreign language and its historical use in
the region.

The Government offers Dutch classes as an adult education and
continuing training subject. Initiatives in this area tend to come
from individuals or local policy-makers.

Training for Flemish teachers was introduced in Lille in 1983 but
abandoned just a year later, in 1984.

The Professor of Dutch at Lille has for years been trying to introduce
the Dutch Certificat d'Aptitude au Professorat de l'Enseignement
Secondaire (CAPES - Diploma of Education) in France. He is supported
in his efforts by the Nederlandse Taalunie (Dutch/Flemish
intergovernmental organization).

[Top of page]

3.2. Judicial authorities

The use of French Flemish is not permitted before the courts.

[Top of page]

3.3. Public authorities and services

According to our information, central government makes no use of
Flemish at all. It would appear that the use of French Flemish is not
permitted by the regional authorities and that its use is advised
against by the official authorities. The same seems to apply to the
local authorities. In brief, the State is not taking any measures to
ensure use of this language by the public authorities.

All public services are offered in just one language - French. This
applies, in particular, to telephone bills and receipts, telephone
directories, hospital signs, electricity bills, signs for post offices
and police stations. Flemish is not used at all at this level. Nor is
it possible for service-users to use French Flemish in their contacts
with the various public and semi-public bodies.

Apart from a few street names in Flemish, all road signs are in
French. Over the past five years or so, it has, it seems, become
common for house names to be in Flemish.

Place names are correctly used in their traditional form and it is
also possible to use Flemish surnames. It is certainly possible to
choose a Flemish given name, but this remains relatively rare.

Research on dialect is being conducted in the region by the University
of Ghent in Belgium, but forms part of a study of Dutch dialects in
general and does not take any particular account of French Flemish.
The language situation in the region is not being studied by any of
France's linguistic or sociological research centres.

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3.4. Mass media and information technology

The use of Flemish in the media is not officially authorized.

Daily newspapers

There are no daily newspapers in Flemish (the regional dialect has no
written form).

Periodicals

Three French periodicals, Platch'iou (Dunkerque), Revue de l'Houtland
(Steenvoorde) and Yserhouck (Volkerinckhove) regularly contain
articles on various aspects of Flemish in France as well as articles
in regional Flemish or Dutch.

The periodical KFV-Mededelingen is published in standard Dutch. As the
quarterly newsletter of the Komitee voor Frans-Vlaanderen ([Belgian]
Committee for French Flanders), it provides news, a cultural diary and
articles on tourism, the economy and ecology.

The bilingual yearbook De Franse Nederlanden/Les Pays-Bas français
(The French Low Countries), which has been published annually in
Belgium for the past 19 years, offers a dozen scientific articles
(written in an accessible way) on cultural and economic life in
Nord-Pas-de-Calais, focusing particularly on cross-border contacts. It
has a column on the Dutch language in France.

Radio

The Radio Uylenspiegel radio station in Cassel broadcasts 10% of its
programmes in Flemish. This independent radio station originally
operated illegally, until it gained legal status in 1982.

Television

There is no television station broadcasting in Flemish.

Computers

French Flemish has no written form.

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3.5. The Arts

Existing publications are mainly school books. A single regional
Flemish tutor was published in 1992.

Since 1989, the history section of the KFV has published three
leaflets. These are distributed internally and a few articles have
been published in the local press.

In the music world, mention might be made of two vocalists: Raymond
Declercq from Coudekerque and Maryse Collache from Dunkerque.

The border Commune of Westouter has a Belgian theatre group called
Volkstoneel voor Frans-Vlaanderen. Flemish plays are staged each year
in Flemish villages in France. There is no activity worth mentioning
in the film world or as regards cultural festivals.

Cultural activities are supported by some Communes, such as Bailleul,
Hazebrouck and Wormhout. However, the Flemish cultural centre in
Hazebrouck, which was set up in 1981, is not currently offering any
activities.

There are a number of unofficial organizations that take an interest
in promoting Dutch language and culture, including the Centre Michiel
De Swaen in Bergues. The Komitée Nederlands Onderwijs and the Komitée
voor Frans-Vlaanderen also promote the teaching of Dutch; the Tegaere
Toegaen promotes the teaching of Flemish; and the Comité flamand de la
France and the Association Foirante are also active.

According to our correspondent, the State does not prohibit cultural
activities, but it does exhibit attitudes that are generally opposed
to Flemish movements. We have been told that the French State is not
making any moves to come to the aid of the Flemish language in the
cultural domain.

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3.6. The business world

Knowledge of Flemish is never a condition of employment.

The language is never used in advertising. Labels and instructions for
use are not printed in Flemish.

Flemish has no role to play in the business world. It would also
appear that the regional and local authorities have not developed any
policies either to promote or restrict use of the language in economic
and social activities.

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3.7. Family and social use of the language

The use of Flemish within the family has diminished to a tiny
percentage since the Second World War. Flemish is now really only used
by a very small number of families. This trend started in the period
between the Wars since when there has been a total upheaval as regards
language use.

Courting couples speak to each other in French, which means that it is
reasonable to state that all households are endogamous, that is,
French-speaking. Moreover, although there was still a difference in
the language education of young women in the 1930s, with girls being
taught more French than boys, there is no longer any difference now.

Although 20% of priests speak French Flemish, mass is celebrated in
Flemish only very occasionally. The catechism exists in a bilingual
version, with the latest edition dating bach to 1936, but it has not
been taught in Flemish since the last War. There is no Flemish
translation of the Bible.

As regards attitudes, the Flemish language is usually associated with
inferiority and is seen as old-fashioned. Most speakers think the
language will disappear completely in the next couple of generations.
They see the language as being of some, albeit small, use for the
future, whereas people who do not speak the language see it as being
of little use. Despite the fact that young people have some interest
in learning Flemish as a foreign language, they do not use it in their
daily lives. People who still have a passive knowledge of the language
feel that it helps them to learn other Germanic languages.

Interest in Dutch classes is growing among young French-speakers but
the number of young people who speak Dutch remains small.

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3.8. Transnational exchanges

Experimental Dutch classes have been offered at primary and secondary
level since 1986 within the framework of a programme of exchanges
between France, Belgian Flanders and the Netherlands. However, since
French Flemish is considered to be a variety of Dutch, there is a
tendency not to perceive it as a native regional language.

Contacts have also been established in the areas of commerce, tourism
and environmental protection.

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4. Conclusion

French Flemish does not enjoy any official recognition in France, with
the exception of a Ministerial memorandum of 1982, which was supposed
to facilitate teaching of the language. Despite the additional
obstacle of the absence of any written form of French Flemish, its
relationship to Dutch, which is one of the official working languages
of the European Union, could contribute to its preservation. Knowledge
of Dutch is, moreover, vital for any understanding of the historical
background and cultural and linguistic roots of the region. This
knowledge is also extremely useful for economic and tourist dealings
with the region's Belgian and Dutch neighbours.

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©Euromosaic

http://www.uoc.edu/euromosaic/web/document/neerlandes/an/i1/i1.html

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