sign in sign up
<<
Home , African French

1

FRENCH LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND CREATIVITY

Harrison G. Ugbijeh French Department , Federal College of Education, Kontagora, State.

Abstract Creativity is an essential concept in all educational sectors of

the twenty-first century. It is central to all the preparations for learning and vital for the total educative process. However, it is difficult to define and complicated to measure. As a result, there are quite diverse definitions and testing approaches for the construct of creativity. This paper has therefore examined the concept of creativity, and culture. The paper also discussed the impact of creativity on French language and ways of enhancing creativity in foreign language cassroom.

French language has sojourned statutory role of official languages, in for more than four centuries. French remains the official medium of Ajiboye (2002) cited in Salam and eight countries, while the remaining Ashipal (2010) remarked that French eight nations have English and language had been introduced in Africa Portuguese as their official media of as early as 1624 via the combination of expression. According to Ajiboye (2002) colonial and cultural circumstances. Africa alone accounts for 33% of the Apart from the home continent of the world’s French. In fact, out of not less language, Europe, it is in the continent than fifty three countries in Africa. of Africa that French enjoys the largest There are twenty four of them whose potential francophone concentration in official language is French. Even in the terms of population of its speakers. In three Maghrebian countries of North alone, comprising not less Africa, its importance is not despised. In than 16 nations having three different spite of the seemingly domineering role European languages playing the of language in ,

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

2

French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh and , French is equally almost as fourth-most widely spoken mother important as Arabic in all sphere of life tongue in the European Union. It is also of the citizenry of these three countries. the third-most widely understood More importantly, French, language has language in the EU. As a result of today become a world language of French and Belgian colonialism from undebatable international recognition 17th and 18th century onward, French and acceptability. Meanwhile, let writer was introduced to new territories in the briefly take a glance at the world view Americas, Africa and Asia. Most second of the French language. language speakers reside in francophone Africa, in particular , Algeria, French Language , and Cote d’lvoire. In French is a Romance language, 2007, French was estimated to have belonging to the indo-European family. around 75 million native speakers. It descended from the spoken Latin French has a long history as an language of the Roman , as did international language of commerce, Languages such as Italian, Portuguese, diplomacy, literature and scientific Spanish, Romania, Catalan and others. standard and is an official language of French has evolved from Gallo- many international organizations Romance, they spoke Latin in Gaul, and including the , the more specifically in Northern Gaul. European Union, NATO, the WTO and French was also influenced by native the ICRC. In 2011, French was deemed Celtic languages of Northern Roman by Bloomberg Business week to be one Gaul like Gallia Belgica and by the of the top three most useful languages (Germanic) Frankish language of the for business, after English and Chinese. post-Roman Frankish invaders. Today Under the constitution of owing to France’s past overseas France, French has been the official expansion, there are numerous French- language of the Republic since 1992. based Creole languages, most notably France mandates the use of French in . official government publications, public French is the second most education except in specific cases and widespread language worldwide after legal contract. English, being an official language in 29 In Belgium, French is the countries, most of which are French- official language of Wallonia and one of speaking countries. It is spoken as a first the two official languages (along with language in France, southern Belgium Dutch) of the Brussels capital region, western Switzerland, Monaco, the where it is spoken by the majority of the Canadian province of Quebec and by population often as their primary various communities elsewhere. language. According to a survey of the French is one of the four official European commission, French is the languages of Switzerland (along with

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

3

French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh

German, Halian and Romansh) and is for French speakers from other countries spoken in the western part of but written forms of the language are Switzerland called Romandie, of which very closely related to those of the rest Geneva is the largest city. French is the of the French-speaking world. native language of about 20% of the Swiss population. French Culture: Customs and A majority of the world’s Tradition French speaking population lives in Most people associate French Africa. According to the 2007 report by culture with , which is a center of the Organization international de la fashion, cuisine, art and architecture, but Francophonie, an estimated 115 million life outside of the city of lights is very African people spread across 31 different and varies by region. France francophone countries can speak French doesn’t just have different culture; the as either a first or a . word “culture actually comes from This number does not include the people France. According to Cristina De Rossi, living in non-francophone African “culture derives from the same French countries who have learned French as a term, which in turn derives from the foreign language. Due to the rise of Latin colere, meaning to tend to the French in Africa, the total French- earth and grow, cultivation and nurture”. speaking population worldwide is Historically, French culture was expected to reach 700 million people in influenced by Celtic and Gallo-Roman 2050. French is the fatest growing cultures as well as the Franks, a language on the continent (in terms of Germanic tribe. France was initially either official or foreign language). defined as the western area of Germany French is mostly second known as Rhineland but it later came to language in Africa but it has become refer to a territory that was known as first language in some urban areas, such Gaul during the Iron Age and Roman as the region of , Cote d’lvoire era. and in , Gabon. There is not a single , but multiple Languages forms that diverged through contact with French is the dominant language various indigenous African languages. of the country’s 66 million residents, but Sub-shara Africa is the region there are a number of variants based on where the French language is most religion. French the official language, is likely to expand because of the the first language of 88 percent of the expansion of education and rapid population. According to the French population growth. It is also where the ministry of Foreign Affairs and language has evolved the most in recent International Development, French is the years. Some vernacular forms of French second most widely learned foreign in Africa can be difficult to understand

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

4

French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh language in the world, with almost 120 an attitude that members of your gender million students. are always better than those of the About 3 percent of the opposite sex, or a belief that your population speaks German dialect and country, race, etc, is better than any there is a small group of Flemish others, originated from France around speakers in the northeast. Arabic is the 1851 according to the Merriam Webster third minority language. Those living Dictionary. While women are playing a near the border of Italy speak Italian as a greater role in family life and business, second language, and Basque is spoken many still see it as a male dominated by people living along the French- culture. Spanish border. Other dialects and The French embody include Calatan, Breton (the and passion and there is an open attitude Celtic language), Occitan dialects and toward sex outside of marriage, languages from the former French according to a study by France’s colonies include Kabyle and Antillean National Research Agency on Aids. Creole. Even the country’s top politicians have been known to carry out extramarital Religion affairs without making effort to conceal Catholicism is the predominant them. religion of France. In a survey by the Cristina De Rossi posited that French Institute of Public Opinion ( “from around the 16th century, in IFOP), 64 percent of the population Europe, culture became a term for the (about 41.6 million people) identified cultivation of the mind, the intellect, themselves as Roman Catholic. knowledge, learning, creative faculties According to a 2010 survey by the Pew and acceptable ways of behaving”. The Research Center, 7.5 percent (4.7 French embrace style and sophistication million people are Muslim. Pew and take pride in the fact that even their estimated that the Jewish population was public spaces strike a regal tone. They 310,000; there were 280,000 Buddhists believe in egalite, which means equality, and 3,000 Hindus. Nearly 18 million and is part of the country’s motto: people practiced folk religion. “Liberte, Egalite, fraternite”. Many say they place a higher importance on Values equality than liberty and fraternity. The French take immense pride in their nation and government and are typically offended by any negative French Cuisine comments about their country. Visitors, Food and wine are central to life particularly Americans often interpret at all socioeconomic levels and much their attitude towards foreigners as rude. socializing is done around lengthy The expression “chauvinism, meaning dinners. While cooking styles have

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

5

French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh changed to emphasize lighter fare, many renowned artists, including Claude still associate French cooking with Monet, Edgar Degas, and Camille heavy sauces and complicated Pissorro, sought inspiration in Paris and preparation. Some classic French dishes they gave rise to the impressionism include boeuf bourguignon, a stew made movement. The louvre Museum in Paris of beef braised in red wine, beef broth is among the world’s largest museums and seasoned with garlic, onions and and is home to many famous works of mushrooms, and coq au vin, a dish made art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus with chicken, Burgundy wine, lardons de Milo. (small strips or cubes of pork fat), button mushroom, onions and optional garlic. Holidays and Celebration Currently, traditional French cooking is The French celebrate the on the decline. Seventy percent of the traditional Christians holidays of restaurants are using prepared meals Christmas and Easter. They mark May instead of fresh cuisine that is a Day, also known as Labour Day, on cornerstone of the culture. May 1st. Victory in Europe Day on May 8th commemorates the end of hostilities Clothing in Europe in World War 11. Bastille day Paris is known as the home of is celebrated on July 14th. This is the day many high end fashion houses, such as the Bastille fortress in Pairs was stormed Dior, Hermes, Louis vuitton and by revolutionaries to start the French channel. Many French people dress in a Revolution. sophisticated, professional and fashionable style, but it is not overly The Concept of Creativity fussy. Typical outfits include dresses, Given that the term “creativity” suits, long coats, scarves and berets. The is multifaceted and complex, it is term haute couture is associated with important to consider creativity from French fashion and loosely means different perspectives. Of course, no fancier garments that are handmade or individual possesses all the made to order. In France, the term is characteristics or traits of creativity, nor protected by law and is defined by the can anyone display them all the time. Paris chamber of commerce. Young (1985, 85) defines creativity as “the skill of bringing about French Art something new and valuable” into Art is everywhere in France, existence. He argues that when creative particularly in Paris and other major people innovate toward newness, they cities, and Gothic, Romanesque Rococo often find a series of alternative and Neoclassic influences can be seen in solutions and can quickly make decision many churches and other public about what to include and what to buildings. Many of history’s most eliminate.

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

6

French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh

Ogbe (2012) asserts that creativity is thought of as being creativity is imagination, originality, constructive productive behavior that inventiveness and giftedness. He argues can be seen in action or that creativity is the result of accomplishment. expressions, which are novel, useful and Creativity is thus the ability to relevant to the solution of the problem re-define, recreate and/or re-produce being examined. Ogunshina (2010) sees things by firstly questioning them, then creativity as the ability to create, which by looking at them from a fresher, is usually thought to be an attribute of different angle or perspective, and only a gifted few, primarily those having finally by formulating and or producing artistic talent. Today, creativity is no a renewed, different alternative of the more considered a special ability very thing that is being looked at. reserved for the gifted nor is it assigned to a limited member of human activities. Foreign Language and Creativity Creative potentials exist in every Language has the enormous individual and await proper condition to potential to be creative. It is used be expressed. Robinson (2011) also deliberately to create works of art, and believes that it is a common myth that for spontaneous communication. only special people are creative. He says Learning a language may be a creative that everyone has the capacities for exercise because language is vast and creativity, but such capacities should be complex, and each user needs to use and learned and developed. In other words combine elements of knowledge in new creativity is not static personal trait, but ways. rather a fundamental feature of every Language teaching is one of human being. He also notes that people those very open and flexible areas where can be more creative in some areas and creative activities can be easily less creative in others. When someone is embedded in both the teaching activities not creative in something, for example as well as in the language curriculum. It in language learning, it means that he or is like having different ingredients to she does not know how creativity works cook and being able to combine them in practice in that specific context. differently each time in order to realize a Mukherjee (2002) cited in Ogunshina delicious dish. Thus creativity lies in the (2014) asserts that creativity is the ability to construct meaningful language capacity of all individuals to compose or from the building blocks available to to produce. What he produces can be express ideas using the resources composition, product or ideas of any available, but recognizing that the kind which are essentially new which resources can be adapted and that the was previously unknown to the language learner can be in control of producer. According to Oloruko-Oba resource rather than subject to their (2006) cited in(Ogunstina, 2014), limits and restriction.

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

7

French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh

Foreign language becomes creative forms (literature,, art, film, pop, creative when it ceases to be about lyrics etc) either because these are used language learning and becomes as texts for language study or because interactive. This result in the process of they are part of separate courses that struggling to find a way of articulating help students acquire an understanding the full, embodied and engaged of the culture related to the language. interaction with the world that comes The year abroad is a particular space when we put the language we are available to linguists in which to learning into action. It is what happens exercise creativity. when we adapt from pre-existing scripts and begin to play, perform and live in Enhancing Creativity in Foreign language as part of an expression of a Language Classroom fuller dimension of life. We make a To ensure creativity, assessment distinction between the effort of using of course work should involve sharing language that one is learning in the and the active participation of the classroom contexts and the effort of students. Therefore the parameters for being a person in that language in the creativity that are to be assessed should social world of everyday interactions. be made clear with the students “language activists” are those who move beforehand, to raise awareness and for in the world in a way that allows the risk clarification. If the teacher acting as an of stepping out of one’s habitual way of example shows to be creative he/she is speaking and attempt to develop also stimulating this quality in his/her different more relational way of students, making them active interacting with the people and participants while contacting with the phenomena that one encounters in chosen materials and tasks, developing a everyday life. critical approach to the FL linguistic and The use of any language is cultural space. Incremental progression inherently creative. Thinking, re- and cyclical revision will facilitate enacting the speech, thought and lexis of consolidation and further creative another foreign culture inspires development. Regular assessment of creativity in itself. Example would be learning progress will provide guidance the need for creativity as part of to students and can also provide translation strategies, in oral pedagogical findings which can communication (e.g. to paraphrase when contribute to continue update of FL one does not know the exact word), and frameworks. in written communication. An Classroom practice can appreciation of creativity is also fostered capitalize on the creative materials. through the cultural aspects of foreign Through authentic texts students will be language courses, where student are experiencing the target language as it normally exposed to a wide range of occurs naturally as well as the

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

8

French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh pragmatics, that is, interpretation of its fear barrier is broken creativity will utterances in context. This can be express itself more easily. enhanced by spoken texts with a visual component as found in televisions Conclusion broadcast and films, where speakers and The theories and ideas related to listeners can be seen in an interpersonal creativity often focus on the various context and non-verbal phenomena can characteristics of creativity including the be observed which reinforce the verbal creative process, person, and product. exchanges, such as paralinguistic An emphasis on one aspect of creativity functions of gesture, facial expression over another can have a definite impact and body language. Students will also on the teaching approaches. It is vital to receive explicit information for a more find ways to foster creative passion in conscious learning of the semantics, language learners. Therefore, instead of grammatical and phonological creativity being the subject in the characteristics of the target language. classroom, it should be the outcome of a Experience has shown that collaborative effort among educational students are best encouraged to be researchers, curriculum developers, creative when they are given teachers, school administrators and other independence to choose their own focus participants of education. for tasks and, indeed to decide what they will study. Students might be Recommendations encouraged to be creative by involving To enhance creativity in the them in decisions about how and what teaching and learning of French should be taught in the language language the paper recommends the classroom. following measures. Foreign language teachers may The programme of study should encourage students to take active be based on communicative competence participation in the class by promoting a rather than being programmed based on friendly, mutually beneficial atmosphere observation of rules of grammar. and emphasizing that individual Foreign language teachers participation is crucial to collective should create friendly atmosphere in the learning. The teacher should engage in classroom. They should be at alert to class activities (e.g mimicking, role encourage and help plan ways of play, etc) and ask for students feedback expressing their ideas and feeling in on issues related to language. Thereby different media. students begin to perceive the classroom Teachers should vary their context not as an area where to compete, activities and methodologies to avoid but as a meeting point where to learn monotony and boredom. They should from each other. Once the tension and keep abreast with modern technologies that will enhance their teaching abilities.

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173

9 French Language, Culture and Creativity - Harrison G. Ugbijeh

Scholarship should be awarded Ogbe M. (2012). Creativity for Art to students who perform excellently in Education Students. Samara-Zaria French language. Asekome and Co. Publishers.

Ogounshina .A. (2014). Promoting References Creativity in Fine Art Education in Ajiboye (2002). Nigeria & French: A Nigeria Schools. In Nigerian Paradox of Closeness & Distance, Journal of Research in Education, the 52nd Inugural Lecture of the Federal College of Education, Unilorin, Ilorin, Unilorin Press Kontagora, Niger State. pp.15-17. Robison, K. (2011). Out of our Minds: Ashipa O.A & Salam O. W.(2010). Learning to be Creative. Oxford: Institutionalization of English and Capstone. French as Official Languages by African Nations for Speedy Young J.G. (985). What is Creativity? Political and Economic The Journal of Creative Behaviour, Development of the Continent. In 19 (2), 77-98. International Journal of Languages and African Development, Institute de Development Et D. Exchange Endogenes, Quidah, Republique.

Creativity in Modern Foreign Language https;///www. heacademy.ac. uk/..//web0460 creativity in modern foreign. Retrieved 3rd June 2015.

Definition of French language en. Wikipedia.org/wiki/French language. Retrieved 26th May, 2015.

Definition of French Culture www.live- science.com/39149 French culture.html. Retrieved 26 May, 2015.

Journal of Teacher Perspective, Volume 10 No. 1 December, 2015: ISSN 2006 - 0173