France is – and long has been – a cultural juggernaut. We here in Quebec can vouch for that as a former colony of the home of culinary excellence, high art, and revolution. We wouldn’t have our unique Canadian identity if it wasn’t for the culture of the French, as well as the language.
However, while we obviously have a particular fondness for focusing on the French influence in our very own province, it’s important to note that this influence can be felt around the world. We live in a time where the globe is smaller than it ever has been, which means we often overlook the influence other cultures have on one another.
So, how has the culture of France found its way into minor aspects of our lives and where are the most unusual examples of this?
French entertainment a staple for many across the globe
When someone says French entertainment, it’s easy to narrow in on a very specific kind. You might be picturing arthouse cinema with a convoluted plot that involves steamy romance and maybe some undiagnosed misanthropy. However, it’s actually so much more than Trois Couleurs: Blue, Blanc, and Rouge.
Take a look at casino gaming as one good example. At sites like Karamba casino in the CA market, games like baccarat and European roulette are advertised front and centre. These games have become international and almost nationless now, but they share roots in France centuries ago. The fact that they are still so popular is indicative of how influential French culture was in casino gaming.
Beyond that, many often forget that much of the entertainment that has come to dominate pop culture has its roots in French literature. Yes, everyone could tell that Les Miserables was a French story, but many overlook The Three Musketeers and the loveable comic strip Asterix the Gaul. In the English-speaking world, many assume that a film or TV show in English means it comes from English-speaking origins.
Language and Loan Words: France is Heavily Borrowed From
It’s no real secret that the English language uses a lot of loan words from French. In fact, it’s probably harder to find words in English that aren’t traceable back to France in some way. The seemingly constant invasions and cultural transactions over the centuries have meant that the two languages are intrinsically linked.
However, you would be forgiven for not knowing that Irish – a language that the BBC reports is seeking equality in the EU – actually includes a good few loan words dating back from the Norman invasions. For example, the Irish word for an archer is airseóir and a rabbit is coinín, which is from the Old French word connil. Europe really is a melting pot when it comes to language.
Probably the biggest area in which language has been changed by the French, though, has to be when it comes to cuisine. Everyone knows that croissants and ratatouille are from France. But what about the words sausage, pudding, porridge, and even salad? Food is such a distinctly cultural thing, personal to a nation’s identity, and yet the French have been able to influence it on every continent.
A Force for Good As Well As for Fun
Obviously, much of what has been discussed has been light-hearted, fun influences. However, France has given the world so much more than just games, food, and fun words. The French influence on science and the day-to-day lives of many is vast and encompasses much that we take for granted.
Louis Braille, for example, was an educator in the 19th Century who was blinded as a child following an infection caused by an injury. His invention of the writing system that carries his name has been revolutionary for people with a visual impairment, changing millions of lives for the better. His legacy is felt, quite literally, in education, in museums, on Canadian trains, and in everyday places around the world every day. As Quebecers and Canadians, we’re proud of our unique identity. However, we shouldn’t overlook how French culture and its people have greatly shaped the world around us to this day.
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