Chirac lashes out against US cultural domination

Khaleej Times Online ^ | 7 October 2004 | AFP

[Ginifer]

HANOI - French President Jacques Chirac warned Thursday of a “catastrophe” for global diversity if the United States’ cultural hegemony goes unchallenged.

Speaking at a French cultural center in Hanoi ahead of Friday’s opening of a summit of European and Asian leaders, Chirac said France was right to stand up for cultural and linguistic diversity.

The outspoken French president warned that the world’s different cultures could be “choked” by US values.

This, he said, would lead to a “general world sub-culture” based around the English language, which would be “a real ecological catastrophe”.

Citing Hollywood’s stranglehold over the film industry as an example, Chirac stressed that only with government assistance could countries maintain their cultural heritage.

Vietnam is a former French colony, but only around 375,000 of its 81 million people speak French. Most people consider English a far more valuable and practical second language, particularly among businessmen.

[Ginifer]

Those French...think they are still important.

[gortklattu]

Go away

[speedy]

They make it so easy to hate them. There just is no effort required at all.

[Sgt_Schultze]

He's pissed that France is becoming a Muslim country and French culture will soon be a lost voice within its own borders. It too easy to blame the US.

[snooker]

Stick a frog it jacka$$.

[mylife]

Go away

"or I will taunt you a second time!"

[agere_contra]

Anglophone monoculture is the least of France's problems. Chirac would be better off worrying about Islamic monoculture.

[RockinRight]

Chirac, we are the knights who say "Ni!"

[laconic]

Tell Chirac that Jerry Lewis was really French and he was really funny.

[SlowBoat407]

Yes, we see how well the French government helped Vietnam hold on to its culture. Now we see the heart of the matter as France opposes the U.S. at every turn. They and the rest of Old Europe do not want this upstart, cowboy nation to have so much influence in the world.

Kind of reminds me of the MSM and the New Media. Move over, boys! The world is changing!

[kb2614]

"Aw geez, not this sh_t again"

[syriacus]

This, he said, would lead to a “general world sub-culture” based around the English language, which would be “a real ecological catastrophe”.

If Chirac is complaining about the dominance of English, he should blame the British.

The UN uses British English as can be seen on their News Centre page.

[SMARTY]

"Speaking at a French cultural center in Hanoi..."

Ha! Let's see if I have this right...A third rate politician representing a 5th rate power goes to his FORMER colony to slam THE one remaining world power. Yup...I think I understand.

[djpg]

You are right Jacques. American culture dominates the world just as Greek culture dominated the classical world, and for the same reason. Our culture is just superior to yours.

[Liberty Valance]

The fact that Joque is denigrating US influence and culture after reviewing communist Vietnamese troops is laughable. Apparently history means nothing to Chirac.

[ruready4eternity]

Chirac, stfu you and the french cousins in Quebec. I'm sick of this guy running his mouth and flapn'his gums!

You should see the crap the french film industry puts out, not that hollywood is any better, but French films suck and their documentary's also!

[Chi-townChief]

bttt

[cajungirl]

I know. Hating the French is beginning to appeal to slackers everywhere. They are getting so comical.

[Bringbackthedraft]

French Culture = oxymoron? What trash from the former colonialist.

[syriacus]

Get with it, Chirac. This is the 21st Century.