Use of English term in iTune 12.2 in French

Question

Use of English term in iTune 12.2 in French

Hi.

In iTune 12.2 the word "Playlist", an English term, is now used instead of "Liste de lecture" perfectly valid french terms.

I have nothing against English but, when I choose to use a software in French, I anticipate the use of perfect French, which has always been the case with Apple, except now, with iTune 12.2.

Hey Apple, I think your french translators are coming from France and they, like many persons from France, have succumbed to the tendency of using a lot of english words. This can expected from ordinary people that don't care about their native language but, for a company like Apple, that has such a great reputation, it is far from professional.

Please, use french terminology when it is available.

Best regards.

Jean Lemire

Richelieu, Quebec, Canada

Posted on Jul 3, 2015 5:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,217 points

Jul 3, 2015 5:56 AM in response to Jean (Johnny) Lemire

Personally I would go for the shortest word possible so as to be able to fit more onto a screen where borders get formatted to the longest caption. Your example requires twice as much space.

If you really want Apple to see your comments:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

Reply

Answer 2

ed2345

Level 9

62,492 points

Jul 3, 2015 6:57 AM in response to Jean (Johnny) Lemire

Bonjour Jean,

Perhaps not everyone likes it, but "playlist" is one of many English words that has been widely adopted in contemporary French usage.

Reply

Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

411,217 points

Jul 3, 2015 7:40 AM in response to ed2345

I surmise our descendant of La guerre de la Conquête thinks the French have demeaned themselves and L'Académie Française needs to take a stronger stance even if the result is 3 words instead of one. Oh well, vive la différence. (Oh my gosh, did I just use a French term in my reply in English? 😮)

Reply

Answer 4

ed2345

Level 9

62,492 points

Jul 3, 2015 8:23 AM in response to Limnos

MDR! (= mort de rire.)

I suspect that the Apple French language experts are well aware of the possible terms, and deliberately chose the one that was not only shorter, but hipper.

Even Apple Music's native French competitor Deezer calls them playlists.

Reply

Answer 5

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Jul 3, 2015 8:46 AM in response to ed2345

Ah yes, 'Hipper'. Should be 'Hippier', the comparative form of Hippy. 👿 But having said that I am all for the individualistic approach that is trying to maintain the purity of the French language.

If only our English leaders were as proud of their language, we wouldn't continue to be struck with words like 'gotten' and Math (a seemingly singularised version of a plural). But as this is a technical forum, I suppose anything goes.

Reply

Answer 6

Jul 3, 2015 6:05 PM in response to Jean (Johnny) Lemire

Hi folks.

I know that French from France are using a lot of english words. Is it to be "In" or by snobbism ?

I don't care. Here in Quebec, surrounded by the vast majority of english Canadians and the USA, we try to use French as best as we can.

Again, I have nothing against using English, when appropriate, after all, I speak French, English and a little Spanish. The only thing that bugs me is that, given the huge quantity of available french words, some people, and I write some, not all, are using english words instead of the appropriate french words.

This is the start of assimilation.

Just ideas.

Jean Lemire

Richelieu, Quebec, Canada.

Reply

Answer 7

ed2345

Level 9

62,492 points

Jul 3, 2015 7:46 PM in response to Jean (Johnny) Lemire

Jean,

Yes, it is a global trend. Even Deezer is doing it. 😮

Comme notre copain Limnos a dit, c'est possible fournir des commentaires directement à Apple par le lien "iTunes Feedback."

Chaleureusement,

Ed

Reply