French Literature Reviews - 2026
B. Cerquiglini, Le ministre est enceinte ou la grande querelle de la féminisation des noms
Literary Theory, Linguistics and Stylistics
Le ministre est enceinte ou la grande querelle de la féminisation des noms
Bernard Cerquiglini
Publication date: 11/10/2018
Publisher: Seuil
ISBN: 978-2-02-140211-7
EAN: 9782021402117
No. of pages: 194 p.
Can 'the minister' be pregnant? This question is less a matter of advances in genetics than of the fluctuations of language. In this respect, the dispute over the feminization of official titles and professional nouns perfectly illustrates the unique role that the French language plays for its speakers. Blending the linguistic and the political—much like the endless debates over spelling—and pitting conservatives against reformers, and the Académie Française against the State, this controversy has driven one of the fastest and most widespread shifts the language has experienced over the last twenty years.
By juxtaposing heritage with functionality, it turns French into a contentious language. The recent controversy surrounding gender-inclusive writing has demonstrated this once again. Here is a colorful chronicle of the entry of women into professional roles and the titles used to designate them. A war of the sexes? Ancients versus Moderns? A step forward for equality or a rearguard battle? With his trademark talent, Bernard Cerquiglini combines humor and grammatical expertise to recount this fascinating history—one in which he played a part—examining the arguments of the protagonists and the lofty vision of language that often drives them, without overlooking its petty moments...
An academic, linguist, and member of the Oulipo, Bernard Cerquiglini has held numerous positions in the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Culture, and the international Francophonie organization. His published works include La Naissance du français (PUF, "Que sais-je?", 2013), L'Orthographe rectifiée. Le guide pour tout comprendre (Librio/Le Monde, 2016), Enrichissez-vous: parlez francophone! (Larousse, 2016), and L'Invention de Nithard (Minuit, 2018).
In France, debates surrounding the French language have long intersected with political and social history, reflecting deep-seated cultural values. From spelling reforms to vocabulary adjustments, linguistic changes frequently spark intense public discussions involving state institutions and traditional bodies like the Académie Française. This volume examines how the controversy over the feminization of professional titles and official roles has unfolded over the last twenty years. By tracing the arguments of both reformers and conservatives, the text highlights how grammar and gender equality intersect in the modern French language.
As a linguist and a member of the Oulipo, the author combines humor and grammatical expertise in his writing. His previous publications have explored the history of French orthography and the language of the Francophone world. This work draws on his firsthand experience, as he has held positions in the French ministries of National Education and Culture. Readers interested in sociolinguistics, gender studies, and the history of the French language may find this account relevant.