In the Arab world, what language for French diplomacy?

The Inalco Foundation is honored to welcome Mr. Patrice Paoli and Ms. Nada Yafi for a conference on the Arabic language in French diplomacy, organized in collaboration with the Association syndicale des agents d'Orient du ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (ASAO).
Portraits des trois intervenants de la conférence
Conférence "Dans le monde arabe, quelle langue pour la diplomatie française ?" © Fondation Inalco ‎

From the VIIIème century onwards, France has been able to develop its relations with the Arab world thanks to experts in the Arabic language.

First translators, merchants and drogmans, then missionaries, soldiers, diplomats and interpreters, connoisseurs of the Arab language and world have been numerous in France. They were as much responsible for forging strong ties with Arab governments and populations as they were for establishing a long tradition of French Orientalism.

However, at a time when the place of literal Arabic in the Arab world is changing, notably due to the rise of English and dialects, and the development of simultaneous translation accelerated by artificial intelligence, is this expertise still relevant and topical for Franco-Arab relations?

To answer this question, we will be pleased to welcome:

  • Ms. Nada Yafi, former Arabic language interpreter to the President of the Republic (1989-2003), Ambassador to Kuwait (2010-2014) and author of the book "Plaidoyer pour la langue arabe" published in 2023 by Editions Libertalia;

  • Mr. Patrice Paoli, former diplomat specializing in the Arab world, ambassador to Kuwait (1999-2002), the United Arab Emirates (2005-2008), Lebanon (2012-2015), Cuba (2018-2022) and Arabic-language spokesman for the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (2023).

This conference will be followed by a cocktail reception in the salons of the Maison de la recherche.