The War of the Roses Redux

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A French-language association sued Notre-Dame Cathedral this month for only translating its signs into English, a case that some say is another volley in the battle by language purists to prevent the dominance of English, Agence France-Presse reported.

The Association for the Defence of the French Language demanded in its suit that the iconic cathedral provides information and signage in at least two other languages besides French, citing an oft-ignored law from 1994 that stipulates as such.

Since the 2019 fire, many of the signs explaining Notre-Dame’s reconstruction are written in French and English.

The association previously forced the Eiffel Tower to add Spanish to its signs alongside English and French. It added that only translating signs into English helps increase the international dominance of that language.

The group is suing 20 other public institutions, including the national postal service over the name of its banking service, “Ma French Bank.”

The 1994 legislation was passed to keep the French language a “fundamental element of the personality and heritage of France,” according to the Local France.

Although enforcement is rare, failure to respect the law can result in a maximum fine of more than $4,000.

Typically, only around 30 penalties are imposed every year, although courts can require companies to translate information into French.