The Peculiarity of La Francophonie and Similar Organizations

[Lord Thesaurian]

This is more of a quick questions thread than a discussion thread; posed to those of the Francophonie. I have heard the OIF is considering admitting India. If this is true, is the OIF's action merely a snub to the British? What is motivating it? I think it's safe to say India has little to no French culture whatsoever. If India is admitted, the US should be also on account of areas like Louisiana and St. Louis, and perhaps Mexico on account of being taken over by the French for a brief period in the 19th century. What are the general criteria for admittance into the OIF?

What is the purpose of international French cultural organizations in general? There are so many, especially in the last 50 years. Is this part of some kind of emerging French neo-nationalism or ethnocentrism? I don't recall any such Spanish, German or English organizations, for example. What is motivating this? There are organizations like The Organization of American States dedicated to "unity of the New World," and other globalist associations of course, but the OIF and other French entities seem the only ones so numerous that are culture-specific.

[fkizz]

There's also the Portuguese CPLP, for countries that speak Portuguese



As you can see, many are willing to join. (the ones in yellow want to join)

As to why, it's because same language is a good excuse to form a comunity of business.

No idea on the India one joining Francophonie though, just posted this to saw that there one more asides from Francophonie and Commonwealth.

Although if you ask me, no idea why Australia wants to join CPLP, they are English speakers, and only 65,000 Portuguese speakers in Australia.

[Thorn777]

There is also a German similar thing called Goethe Institut, and its in most relevant nations on the planet.

No neo-French master plan.

[Acco]

The French did have some adventures in India (specifically in the Pondicherry area), but history isn't a requirement to join these organizations. Macedonia is a member of La Francophonie even though French has had little to no influence here. Countries join for economic or educational reasons.

[Lord Thesaurian]

Ah, so just another odd global association? Very well then. I guess I didn't realize the Commonwealth is an official organization and not just a descriptive term. What a quaint idea.

[mishkin]

OIF http://www.francophonie.org/English.html

"The International Organisation of La Francophonie represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world. Its members share more than just a common language. They also share the humanist values promoted by the French language. The French language and its humanist values represent the two cornerstones on which the International Organisation of La Francophonie is based".

It may be useful even

[Adar]

Probably tied to the Rafale purchase and classical French visions of grandeur. The Goethe institute is completely different and more aimed at promoting Germany by doing useful things.

[Axeman]

I primarily know about LF and any other French Institution dealing with culture and language from the early to mid 90s. There was a huge fit being thrown by them that the influx of words from the English Language brought on my technological advancement and the prominence of Anglo culture worldwide was killing the French Language. LF tried to create alternative words out of thin air from any possible root words they could find for new terms like "software, hardware, weekend, hippie, etc..." I really don't know what happened with that though, someone who speaks French surely does.

At any rate its a beautiful language and while its a bit on the side "yearning for ye olde history" , it does provide a lot of useful services, standardizes the French Language across the world, and is just generally useful for the French Government itself. Plus French is a very beautiful language and if I ever try to learn a 4th language *unlikely since my Spanish is horrible and my Afrikaans is probably just as bad since I haven't been speaking it for the last few years*, I would definitely go to French.