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Académie Française Rebukes Ruling That Allows Inclusive Writing on Paris Plaques

France’s top administrative court upheld inclusive writing on Paris City Hall plaques on December 31.

Overview

  • The Académie française issued a formal protest on January 9, deeming the point médian contrary to readability and a blow to the language’s patrimony.
  • On December 31, the Conseil d’État rejected the appeal by Francophonie Avenir seeking the removal of two Hôtel de Ville commemorative plaques.
  • The high court concluded that inclusive writing constitutes French written under a particular orthography rather than the use of another language.
  • The contested plaques include wording such as “les président·e·s du Conseil de Paris” and “les conseiller·e·s de Paris ayant accompli plus de vingt-cinq ans de mandat.”
  • Academician Jean‑Marie Rouart condemned the decision in a radio interview, warning of linguistic instability and saying inclusive writing diminishes the language’s beauty.