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The Language of Diplomacy |
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Diplomatic Technicalities |
The French stamp on the English language of diplomacy is,
broadly speaking, of two kinds. The first, the more obvious and
readily observable kind of influence, is witnessed in the
conceptual apparatus of diplomacy. It comprises words and
expressions denoting the concepts, ideas and principles with
which diplomacy operates as the science and art of international
relations. The second kind of influence is comparatively less
obvious and is traced in the idiom of the diplomatic language.
It is a more illusive kind of “Frenchness”, generated by many
set phrases, devised by classical diplomats speaking French.
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In the first kind of influence it is possible to make some further
distinctions. The main one is between more general and basic
concepts and principles, on the one hand, and more narrowly
technical conceptual tools, on the other. Terms denoting the latter
are more likely to retain their original French form, especially if
their use is hermetically restricted to the sphere of diplomacy.
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A good example of the narrowly restricted technicalities are the
traditional French terms used to indicate the component parts of a
Note. A Note is the most official and formal kind of diplomatic
correspondence. In order to compose a Note correctly, it is
necessary to follow this formal outline:
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L’appel
(Sir, Your Excellency, Monsieur le Ministre etc.), which may be
placed en vedette, above the body of the letter;
en
ligne, at the beginning of the first line; or dans la
ligne, after a few words in the first sentence. The first is
the most usual.
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Le traitement,
or the title used when mentioning the person addressed in the
body of the letter. (Votre Altesse, Votre Excellence, Votre
Eminence, etc.)
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La courtoisie,
or the complimentary phrase which concludes the letter (assuring
respect, consideration, gratitude, etc.)
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La souscription,
the signature. When preceded by ‘votre obéissant serviteur’, it
was said to be written en dépêche; if by ‘veuillez agréer
etc.’, it was said to be en billet, the former being the
more ceremonious.
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La date,
which includes the place as well as the time of writing.
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La réclame,
which consists of the name and official designation of the
person addressed, and is reproduced in the address (la
suscription) on the envelope.
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Terms for different types of
Notes and other diplomatic communications can also be classified
as technicalities. Many of them retain their French form, e.g.,
Note Verbale and Aide-Mémoire, which are types of
official communication between a mission and a Foreign Ministry;
Lettres de Cabinet, communications between sovereigns;
Lettres de Chancellerie, letters addressed by sovereigns to
presidents of republics; bout de papier, an unofficial
type of written communication.
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Copyrighted material |
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