[CREATE] [Fwd: LGM 2010 et Francophonie (OIF)]

[Nicu Buculei]

On 03/12/2010 08:26 PM, Louis Desjardins wrote:
> 2010/3/12 Boudewijn Rempt
>
>      > - Europe centrale et orientale : Albanie, Arménie, Bulgarie,
>     Moldavie,
>      > Roumanie ;
>
>     Weird... Are these countries supposed to be francophone?
>
>
> No. But they are considered "francophile" as large portions of their
> population speak or undestand French. :)

Well, I live in Romania and from what I know my country *used to be* 
francophone and francophile, with emphasis on "used to be", however it 
is still a member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie 
and even hosted the summit in 2006.

Before Word War 2 we were *very close* to France, both in culture, 
politics and economy. My city, Bucharest, used to be called "the little 
Paris" and our language (a Latin language) is heavily influenced by 
French imports in the XIX century.

Then communism happened, and we lost the link with most of the world, 
still France and French culture remained one of the few rays of light 
and the French language the most important foreign language taught in 
schools.

Then the anti-communist revolution and freedom happened about 20 years 
ago and we are moving fast the English way, French is "uncool" now, 
everybody is learning and speaking English. you are bombarded with 
English at every step. I honestly have to acknowledge I forgot almost 
all the French I used to know (learned in school) from not having a 
place to use it.

Sorry for the offtopic intervention, but I believe it added useful 
insight for the curious. The situation in Moldova should be about the 
same as in my country, since Moldova *is* historically a part of Romania 
even if its post-WW2 route was a bit different, Albania, Armenia and 
Bulgaria are probably more different, as they don't use a Latin language.

-- 
nicu :: http://nicubunu.ro :: http://nicubunu.blogspot.com