#23 Why Was French the Language of Diplomacy?｜French Language Column

Today, English is widely used at international conferences and in diplomatic settings. However, from the late 17th century to the early 20th century, French was widely used as the principal common language of international diplomacy.

At the time, many treaties and diplomatic documents concluded between European countries were written in French, and diplomats, monarchs, and members of the aristocracy also used French as a shared language.

Why, then, was French chosen as the common language of diplomacy among so many possible languages? The answer lies not only in the strong political influence of the Kingdom of France, but also in the spread of French culture throughout Europe and the long tradition that developed within diplomatic practice.

In this article, I will explain how French developed as the language of diplomacy, the historical background behind its rise, and the role it continues to play in international society today.

What Is a Diplomatic Language?

A diplomatic language is a common language used in negotiations between countries, the conclusion of treaties, and the preparation of diplomatic documents.

When countries whose representatives speak different languages conduct negotiations, communication can be difficult if each side relies only on its own native language. Misunderstandings may also arise. By using a language that diplomats and representatives from different countries can share, international negotiations can proceed more smoothly.

Today, English is the most widely used language in international diplomacy. Before the rise of English, however, French served for a long time as the common language of diplomacy in Europe. It was used not only in conversations between diplomats but also in international treaties and official diplomatic documents.

In other words, a diplomatic language is not simply a language with a large number of speakers. It is often the language of a country that holds considerable political and cultural influence in the international community of its time.

For this reason, the emergence of French as a diplomatic language was closely connected to France’s position as one of the leading powers of Europe.

France’s International Influence

The main reason French became the language of diplomacy was that France played a leading role in both European politics and culture during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Under Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, the Kingdom of France gained considerable influence in Europe through its military and economic power. Neighbouring states placed great importance on diplomacy and alliances with France, and the country gradually became one of the central powers in European international politics.

France also led Europe in fields beyond politics, including literature, philosophy, art, architecture, and fashion. The magnificent court culture represented by the Palace of Versailles became an object of admiration among European monarchs and aristocrats, and many countries began to imitate French culture and ways of life.

Against this background, learning French came to be regarded as an essential part of education within royal courts and aristocratic society. As a result, the language became widely used among diplomats, rulers, and nobles.

Diplomats from different countries increasingly communicated with one another in French, and the language gradually became established as the standard language of European diplomacy.

French Became the Standard Language of Diplomatic Documents

By the 18th century, many diplomatic documents and international treaties were being written in French.

Before this period, Latin had been widely used in European diplomacy and scholarship. However, Latin was not an everyday spoken language, and only people with advanced specialist education could use it confidently.

French, by contrast, was already widely spoken at European courts and among diplomats. It was therefore well positioned to be adopted as a common language for practical negotiations and the preparation of diplomatic documents. As French political and cultural influence expanded, an increasing number of countries accepted French as the common language of diplomacy.

From the 18th century onward, many treaties and official documents between states were written in French, and the ability to understand the language became an essential skill for diplomats.

One symbolic example is the Treaty of Rastatt, concluded between France and Austria in 1714. Latin had previously been widely used in international treaties, but this treaty was written in French.

Of course, the Treaty of Rastatt did not immediately cause every diplomatic document to be written in French. Nevertheless, it is often regarded as an important symbolic event in the gradual replacement of Latin by French as the principal language of diplomacy during the 18th century.

French Was Regarded as a “Clear Language”

Another reason French was favoured in diplomacy was its reputation as a language capable of logical and precise expression.

During the 17th century, efforts to standardize French vocabulary, grammar, and spelling developed further. In 1635, the Académie française was established, and systematic efforts began to give the language clear rules and refine its forms of expression.

Through this process of standardization, French came to be regarded as a language well suited to writing precise and consistent texts.

In diplomacy, it is essential to describe the terms of treaties and agreements as accurately as possible. If a word or phrase permits several interpretations, it may lead to disputes between states.

In Europe at the time, French, with its codified grammar and usage, was widely regarded as suitable for clear and sophisticated expression. This reputation is thought to have been one of the reasons diplomats and intellectuals accepted it as a common language.

Modern linguistics does not consider French to be inherently more logical than other languages. However, in Europe at the time, there was a widespread belief that French, with its regulated grammar and refined style, was particularly appropriate for diplomacy and scholarship.

The Language of Diplomacy Shifted to English

In the 20th century, the centre of international power gradually shifted toward Britain and the United States.

During the 19th century, Britain became the world’s largest colonial empire and exercised considerable international influence. As a result, the use of English spread across many parts of the world. In the 20th century, the United States also emerged as a major economic, political, and military power, further strengthening the international position of English.

Against this changing international background, English began to play an important role alongside French at the Paris Peace Conference after World War I. After World War II, English came to be widely used in the United Nations and many other international institutions. Today, it is firmly established as the principal common language of international society.

Nevertheless, French did not lose its status completely.

French remains one of the official or working languages of many international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Olympic Committee. Many French-derived terms and traditions also remain in diplomatic protocol and international law.

Although English has replaced French as the dominant language of international diplomacy, French continues to play an important role in international society.

Summary

From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, French served as one of the principal international languages of European diplomacy.

The main reasons can be summarized as follows:

Today, English occupies the central position in international communication.

However, the diplomatic traditions established through French continue to be preserved in international institutions and diplomatic practice around the world.