I hope I have convinced you that French is used throughout the world in many wealthy and worth visiting countries! I would like to now tell you how French has become the language of high diplomacy…

To understand how French has become the language of high diplomacy we must first take a look at history In XVII – XVIII century, France was the biggest European country with a huge army and good life for upper classes. Thanks to the efforts of the French Academy, French was already a “defined language”. That means that what was written then in French wouldn't change its meaning in following years. Because of intellectual, cultural, and industrial achievements of France, the French language became the undisputed medium of culture and refinement. It came to be considered the door to everything that was sophisticated, modern, stylish…

It was in this period that French replaced Latin as the language of world universal language In 1763 France, Spain, Great Britain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Paris that ended the so called Indian war. Even though France lost the war the whole Treaty was negotiated and signed in French… In 1763 France, Spain, Great Britain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Paris that ended the so called Indian war. Even though France lost the war the whole Treaty was negotiated and signed in French… Since that time French became the only and unique language of world’s high diplomacy Since that time French became the only and unique language of world’s high diplomacy And remained it until 1919!! And remained it until 1919!!

Of course everything changed in XX century and French was replaced by English France went to war against Germany 3 times in three generations France went to war against Germany 3 times in three generations Tried to deal with aftermath of German occupation, the legacy of Nazi collaboration and its own participation in Holocaust Tried to deal with aftermath of German occupation, the legacy of Nazi collaboration and its own participation in Holocaust The county’s reputation suffered during the decolonization of Vietnam and Algeria The county’s reputation suffered during the decolonization of Vietnam and Algeria In the middle of all this French ceased to be the unique language of high diplomacy In the middle of all this French ceased to be the unique language of high diplomacy The Treaty of Versaille The Treaty of Versaille that ended World War I was signed in 1919 in both French and English. that ended World War I was signed in 1919 in both French and English.

But even though English is today the world’s “lingua franca”, French kept its place in the high diplomacy! There are several reasons why French remains important in the diplomatic world: 1.Many international organizations such as International Telegraphic Union, Universal Postal Union, International Bureau of Weights and Measures…) were created in the early XIX century and have they headquarters in French speaking cities like Geneva; 2.In the opinion of many countries establishing English as the only working language of UN gave the USA too much of an edge… 3.French favors precise definitions it is the language of clarity and precision: it uses a lot more determiners, adverbs, conjunctions and the like to link parts of sentences together and clarify their relationships. Conversely, English is more likely to create ambiguity and its concision can be seen as bluntness!

Just have a look on the list of international organizations and NGOs that use French as their working language French is the official working language of United NationsUnited Nations European Union (The European Court of Justice)European Union (The European Court of Justice) NATONATO Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee 31-member Council of Europe31-member Council of Europe Doctors without BordersDoctors without Borders International Red CrossInternational Red Cross And many othersAnd many others

T he recent listing of international jobs (7/3/07) distributed by the US State Department proves that if you were ever interested in working for international organizations you should think of studying French! BECAUSE: 125 of the jobs listed by the State Department required or preferred French! 125 of the jobs listed by the State Department required or preferred French! Only 31 required Spanish, Only 31 required Spanish, 25 a UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish), 25 a UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish), 10 Portuguese, 7 Arabic, 4 Russian, and 2 German. 10 Portuguese, 7 Arabic, 4 Russian, and 2 German.

But French can be useful not only in the diplomacy but also in business!!! Why? Because despite what people think France has a strong economy and strong commercial ties with U.S.!!!

France has the sixth largest economy in the world after the U.S., Japan, Germany, China and England (GDP reached approximately €1,800 billion in 2006) France has the sixth largest economy in the world after the U.S., Japan, Germany, China and England (GDP reached approximately €1,800 billion in 2006) France is the world's third military power after the US and Russia France is the world's third military power after the US and Russia France is overall, the fourth largest exporting nation of the world !!! France is overall, the fourth largest exporting nation of the world !!!

France is the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world after the U.S France is the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world after the U.S France is the world's leader in the production of luxury goods France is the world's leader in the production of luxury goods France is the fourth largest producer of automobiles in the world (Renault, Peugeot, Citroën) and the third largest exporter France is the fourth largest producer of automobiles in the world (Renault, Peugeot, Citroën) and the third largest exporter

The French are the world's third manufacturers of electronics equipment The French are the world's third manufacturers of electronics equipment European leader in aerospace (Aérospatiale, Arianespace, Airbus...) European leader in aerospace (Aérospatiale, Arianespace, Airbus...) France is fourth in scientific research among countries of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (after Japan, Germany, and the US) France is fourth in scientific research among countries of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (after Japan, Germany, and the US)

These major French groups are famous around the globe: L’Oréal, the world’s leading cosmetics group; L’Oréal, the world’s leading cosmetics group; Saint-Gobain, the world’s leading producer of building materials; Saint-Gobain, the world’s leading producer of building materials; Danone, the world’s leading producer of fresh dairy products; Danone, the world’s leading producer of fresh dairy products; LVMH, number one in the luxury goods market. LVMH, number one in the luxury goods market. Other examples include Michelin, Air Liquide, Carrefour, Total and Dassault Aviation. Other examples include Michelin, Air Liquide, Carrefour, Total and Dassault Aviation.

But not only has France strong economy but also strong commercial ties with USA… France is nearly tied with Japan, Germany and the Netherlands as the second largest foreign investor in the U.S France is nearly tied with Japan, Germany and the Netherlands as the second largest foreign investor in the U.S There are 2500 subsidiaires of french companies in USA! There are 2500 subsidiaires of french companies in USA! French companies employ approximately 580,000 Americans! French companies employ approximately 580,000 Americans!

Just look at this map that presents French investments in the Cincinnati region!

On the other hand U.S. companies invest in France! U.S. has been the largest (non EU member) direct investor in France U.S. has been the largest (non EU member) direct investor in France US companies employ nearly 600,000 people in France US companies employ nearly 600,000 people in France France - USA transactions amount to $1 billion every day! France - USA transactions amount to $1 billion every day!

But what is important for you as a student is the fact that the knowledge of French gives you the opportunity to participate in many unique career development programs!!! If you know French you can gain precious experience while working for well known companies and maybe visiting France!!

Continue on to the “Internship and Job Opportunities” link on the “Careers” web page for further information.