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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations is officially translated by the French as the Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme. If we translate this word for word back into English it is The Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man. Just men? Are our French friends stuck in some male-chauvinist society?
Emily Frye, one of our team members and a translation student at the Monterey Institute of International Studies shares Rama Yade’s revelation of an interesting cultural nuance behind the translation. This story provides a peek into the rich culture of the French language, revealing that being “French” is much more than long lunches, great wine and socialist medicine.
Full Article by Emily Frye
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations is officially translated by the French as the Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme. If we translate this word for word back into English it is The Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man. Just men? What happened to the French Feminist movement of the 1970s? Are our French friends stuck in some male-chauvinist society?
The answer is, most certainly not. Any French person would agree that the “rights of man” undeniably includes women. So why have the French kept this outwardly politically-incorrect term? We find a possible answer deep in France’s cultural history.
Rama Yade, in her book on the subject, points to the term’s historical importance in regard to the French Revolution and its connection to the ideals fought for at that time. These ideals would be at risk of slipping away if the term was changed.
This discussion brings to light that the interesting nuances of a culture can be revealed through its language. And a deeper look at the French language will certainly reveal that being “French” is much more than long lunches, great wine and socialist medicine.
Reference: Yade, Rama. Les droits de l’homme expliqués aux enfants de 7 à 77 ans. Seuil 23 October 2008
Very interesting article, with a great deal of insight. I agree with Emily. I think only when you know a language of a country you can truly understand its culture.