France's new language proficiency tests for foreign residents and citizenship applicants have sparked controversy, with critics arguing that they are so challenging that even native French citizens might struggle to pass.&nbsp;
A report on the upcoming immigration law warns that the tougher requirements could result in around 60,000 people being denied permission to stay in France.
The tests, which cost around &euro;100 (&pound;83.20), are part of a bill passed a year ago, that includes tighter border controls and tougher measures to expel foreign migrants. Ministers argue its primary aim is to promote greater integration of foreigners.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What will the new law change?</h2>
Previously, foreigners seeking a residence permit in France only had to sign an "integration contract" and pledge to learn French.&nbsp;
However, under the new law, applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum level of French proficiency equivalent to that of an 11-15-year-old student. Those seeking longer-term residence permits or citizenship will need to show even greater language proficiency.
An investigation by FranceInfo suggested the levels required would challenge even native speakers. It sent 10 French volunteers, including a literature student with five years of post-baccalaur&eacute;at higher education, to sit the tests those seeking French nationality will face.&nbsp;
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Five failed the written test but passed the oral, while two failed to reach a level necessary to obtain their nationality.
<h2 dir="ltr">What did the officials say?</h2>
Bruno Retailleau, the conservative interior minister, said last month: &ldquo;If a foreign person has been legally resident in France for several years and is not able to speak French it&rsquo;s because they haven&rsquo;t made the effort.&rdquo;
To qualify for French nationality, applicants must "provide evidence of a level of language enabling them to at least understand the essential context of concrete or abstract subjects in a complex test, to communicate spontaneously and to express themselves clearly and in detail on a wide variety of subjects".
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Didier Leschi, director general of the French Office for Immigration and Integration, stated that France is essentially levelling the playing field by adopting language requirements similar to those of neighbouring countries, including Germany.
He said: &ldquo;The whole system is designed to give people a sense of responsibility and help them integrate. You have to have faith in people. They have three years to reach the minimum level and renew their residency permit.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

Discover the heated debate over France's rigorous new language tests for foreign residents, sparking claims they are tough enough to challenge even native speakers.

France's new language proficiency tests for foreign residents and citizenship applicants have sparked controversy, with critics arguing that they are so challenging that even native French citizens might struggle to pass. A report on the upcoming immigration law warns that the tougher requirements could result in around 60,000 people being denied permission to stay in France. The tests, which cost around €100 (£83.20), are part of a bill passed a year ago, that includes tighter border controls and tougher measures to expel foreign migrants. Ministers argue its primary aim is to promote greater integration of foreigners. Also read | Meet Shivon Zilis, Elon Musk's girlfriend with Indian roots What will the new law change? Previously, foreigners seeking a residence permit in France only had to sign an "integration contract" and pledge to learn French. However, under the new law, applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum level of French proficiency equivalent to that of an 11-15-year-old student. Those seeking longer-term residence permits or citizenship will need to show even greater language proficiency. An investigation by FranceInfo suggested the levels required would challenge even native speakers. It sent 10 French volunteers, including a literature student with five years of post-baccalauréat higher education, to sit the tests those seeking French nationality will face. Also read | Gaza ceasefire: Hamas releases names of three Israeli hostages set to be released tomorrow Five failed the written test but passed the oral, while two failed to reach a level necessary to obtain their nationality. What did the officials say? Bruno Retailleau, the conservative interior minister, said last month: “If a foreign person has been legally resident in France for several years and is not able to speak French it’s because they haven’t made the effort.” To qualify for French nationality, applicants must "provide evidence of a level of language enabling them to at least understand the essential context of concrete or abstract subjects in a complex test, to communicate spontaneously and to express themselves clearly and in detail on a wide variety of subjects". Also read | Ukraine's Zelensky says Trump talks ‘not enough’ for peace as Russia skips Munich Security Conference Didier Leschi, director general of the French Office for Immigration and Integration, stated that France is essentially levelling the playing field by adopting language requirements similar to those of neighbouring countries, including Germany. He said: “The whole system is designed to give people a sense of responsibility and help them integrate. You have to have faith in people. They have three years to reach the minimum level and renew their residency permit.” (With inputs from agencies)

France's new language tests spark controversy, critics claim even natives would struggle to pass

Mali is now decided to drop the French language as its official language designation with its new constitution. Mali has 13 other national languages the status of official language and according to reports the new constitution has been passed with a vote share of nearly about 96.91 per cent.

Mali: 13 other spoken languages to receive official status

Anyone who uses social media knows that gone are the days when people would write funny one-liners or deep quotes on their Instagram biographies. In today's world, people like to let others know which gender they identity with: He or Him? She or Her? Or, is it just They?&nbsp;

 
Now, in theory, the concept is empowering to some, but in reality, many countries and cultures are struggling to inculcate the concept of gender-neutral identity into their lives with complete clarity. &nbsp;

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Using the wrong pronouns is like an insult. In fact, gender-neutral word 'they' was declared word of the year in 2019. But can this change be replicated in all languages? Take French, for instance. It would be a logistical nightmare because French is a gendered language: the pronoun you use reflects the gender of a person or object you are talking about.&nbsp;

 
There's no gender neutral pronoun in the French language. But now, some linguists are trying to introduce it like Le Petit Robert: the best French dictionary. They will introduce a gender-neutral pronoun from 2022. They are calling it 'Iel': the merger of two French words 'Ielle' and 'Iels'. The question is: will the French buy it? They are fiercely protective of their language. It was going to be a risk but it is already backfiring. Here's what the Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer has said about the new dictionary, "... It's authors are the militants of a cause that has nothing French about it." He is talking about the 'woke culture'. It doesn't have many fans in France.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-revealed-priyanka-chopra-is-sati-in-matrix-4-korean-poster-of-the-film-confirms-432996" hreflang="en">Revealed! Priyanka Chopra is Sati in 'Matrix 4', Korean poster of the film confirms</a>

 
Even the First Lady, Brigitte Macron, is a staunch opponent. Here's how she reacted to the idea of incorporating gender-neutral words, "There are two pronouns: He and She. Our language is beautiful and two pronouns are appropriate." Many feel this way and talk about a woke-culture assault from the US . Things that challenge basic French ideals. So here's a question: are these changes for the sake of change? Do they improve gender equity or does it defeat the purpose? For example, will the trans community prefer equality in pronouns or actual socio-economic equality? In an ideal world, both. But in this case, we must prioritise. Cosmetic changes are not a substitute for meaningful reforms. Sure, they make you feel good. But there's no systemic progress.&nbsp;

 
Let us give you another example from Scotland. Scottish secondary schools have been experimenting with gender-neutral washrooms. It's been a disaster so far, to say the least. Girls are boycotting the washroom because of vandalism by boys. Survey shows 56 per cent of Scottish people are against gender-neutral washrooms. Why, then, are these schools trying them out? Encourages diversity, they say. And whatever they intend, the result has been quite the opposite. Experiments like this one are counter productive. They become a bad advertisement for gender reforms.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-barbados-declares-rihanna-national-hero-at-republic-ceremony-watch-432983" hreflang="en">Barbados declares Rihanna 'national hero' at republic ceremony: Watch</a>

 
So what could Scotland have done? Perhaps retain single-sex washrooms, offer both services and let the people decide. This has always been the problem with woke culture, nobody is questioning the intentions but the method can be too extreme sometimes. Like changing the laws of French or common washrooms against common wisdom. The gesture's not a measure of change but a tool to create buzz. Good for the headlines, not so much for social equality.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-comedian-murray-hill-loses-everything-in-fire-receives-overwhelming-support-432975" hreflang="en">Comedian Murray Hill loses 'everything' in fire, receives overwhelming support</a>

&nbsp;

https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-gender-neutral-pronouns-france-sees-red-432850

Anyone who uses social media knows that gone are the days when people would write funny one-liners or deep quotes on their Instagram biographies. In today's world, people like to let others know which gender they identity with: He or Him?

Anyone who uses social media knows that gone are the days when people would write funny one-liners or deep quotes on their Instagram biographies. In today's world, people like to let others know which gender they identity with: He or Him? She or Her? Or, is it just They? Now, in theory, the concept is empowering to some, but in reality, many countries and cultures are struggling to inculcate the concept of gender-neutral identity into their lives with complete clarity. Also read: Ari Lennox, R&B star, arrested in Amsterdam: They hate Black people Using the wrong pronouns is like an insult. In fact, gender-neutral word 'they' was declared word of the year in 2019. But can this change be replicated in all languages? Take French, for instance. It would be a logistical nightmare because French is a gendered language: the pronoun you use reflects the gender of a person or object you are talking about. There's no gender neutral pronoun in the French language. But now, some linguists are trying to introduce it like Le Petit Robert: the best French dictionary. They will introduce a gender-neutral pronoun from 2022. They are calling it 'Iel': the merger of two French words 'Ielle' and 'Iels'. The question is: will the French buy it? They are fiercely protective of their language. It was going to be a risk but it is already backfiring. Here's what the Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer has said about the new dictionary, "... It's authors are the militants of a cause that has nothing French about it." He is talking about the 'woke culture'. It doesn't have many fans in France. Also read: Revealed! Priyanka Chopra is Sati in 'Matrix 4', Korean poster of the film confirms Even the First Lady, Brigitte Macron, is a staunch opponent. Here's how she reacted to the idea of incorporating gender-neutral words, "There are two pronouns: He and She. Our language is beautiful and two pronouns are appropriate." Many feel this way and talk about a woke-culture assault from the US . Things that challenge basic French ideals. So here's a question: are these changes for the sake of change? Do they improve gender equity or does it defeat the purpose? For example, will the trans community prefer equality in pronouns or actual socio-economic equality? In an ideal world, both. But in this case, we must prioritise. Cosmetic changes are not a substitute for meaningful reforms. Sure, they make you feel good. But there's no systemic progress. Let us give you another example from Scotland. Scottish secondary schools have been experimenting with gender-neutral washrooms. It's been a disaster so far, to say the least. Girls are boycotting the washroom because of vandalism by boys. Survey shows 56 per cent of Scottish people are against gender-neutral washrooms. Why, then, are these schools trying them out? Encourages diversity, they say. And whatever they intend, the result has been quite the opposite. Experiments like this one are counter productive. They become a bad advertisement for gender reforms. Also read: Barbados declares Rihanna 'national hero' at republic ceremony: Watch So what could Scotland have done? Perhaps retain single-sex washrooms, offer both services and let the people decide. This has always been the problem with woke culture, nobody is questioning the intentions but the method can be too extreme sometimes. Like changing the laws of French or common washrooms against common wisdom. The gesture's not a measure of change but a tool to create buzz. Good for the headlines, not so much for social equality. Also read: Comedian Murray Hill loses 'everything' in fire, receives overwhelming support https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-gender-neutral-pronouns-france-sees-red-432850

The Pronoun punch: Why hostility against gender-neutral identity?

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France's new language tests spark controversy, critics claim even natives would struggle to pass

Mali: 13 other spoken languages to receive official status

The Pronoun punch: Why hostility against gender-neutral identity?