Approches de la langue parlée en français par Claire Blanche-Benveniste

Abstract

Linguistics edited by Stacey Katz Bourns BLANCHE-BENVENISTE, CLAIRE. Approches de la langue parlée en français. Paris: Ophrys, 2010. ISBN 978-2-7080-1278-3. Pp. 175. 16 a. The relationship between spoken and written language, as clearly illustrated by Blanche-Benveniste, is nuanced and complex. Moreover, she affirms that the study of spoken French paradoxically relies on the written word for interpretation and analysis. In the case of this particular work, a considerably updated edition of the 1997 book of the same title, the written word elucidates, exemplifies, provokes and calls for action in a relatively compact form. The author claims to present only a small portion of the research in the field, specifically those contributions of GARS (Groupe Aixois de Recherches en Syntaxe). In many ways, however , this book could be considered an abbreviated and approachable state of the art. For instance, Blanche-Benveniste methodically acknowledges popular notions or prejudices, such as the idea that spoken language is inextricably linked with mistakes, and then refutes them with examples and tests. Throughout the work, she returns to bigger questions, such as: Who really uses certain varieties of language? What can our intuition do for us? Where do difficulties in interpretation lie? What can the study of spoken French do for the understanding of the French language overall? Furthermore, overlapping and potentially troublesome terminology, such as noyau versus rhème, is presented, exemplified, and contrasted , and these terms are then made available in a glossary. Altogether, the book is highly readable, with thought-provoking prose and numerous relevant, interesting, and clear examples, most of which come from the corpus collected at the University of Provence. The use of vertical space for analysis aids the reader in seeing patterns in line with the argumentation. It also invites the reader to appreciate that elements of spoken language that have often been dismissed as irrelevant or incoherent can actually be of interest. These attributes make this book a good choice for the uninitiated as well as a useful reference for the more advanced scholar. Additionally, while all the examples and analysis are tied specifically to French, an underlying universality becomes apparent when the work is read as a whole. The chapters of this updated version maintain the same organization as its predecessor; however, the content is significantly revised, with the integration of many new references (approximately thirty works added to the bibliography) and discussions of recent research throughout, effectively situating the work in the academic landscape. In the early chapters, Blanche-Benveniste discusses the relationship between spoken and written language and addresses ways of classifying spoken language. She refutes reductionist dichotomies and instead embraces the complexities of a continuum. Chapter 3 serves as an introduction to the rest of the book by outlining the argumentation and methods of analysis: the grammar of written French is adequate and even enhanced by the inclusion of spoken data in the domains of syntax and macro-syntax, but not morphology, due to its reliance on orthography. This third chapter is the least cohesive of the book and ends rather abruptly with a series of documents exemplifying how technology has enhanced the analysis of spoken corpora. In fact, it could be better followed by chapter 6, which gives the reader a closer look at analysis of oral texts. Chapters 4 and 5, in contrast, could each stand alone and constitute 800 FRENCH REVIEW 85.4 provocative readings for an advanced seminar in French language. A recurrent message throughout the book is that in order to make progress in the study and description of spoken French, there is an urgent need for a much larger and diverse corpus similar to those available in other European languages. The reader learns in a foreword written by the series editor that Blanche-Benveniste died after submitting the last corrections for this edition, further reinforcing her ardent call for different angles of observation to achieve true progress in French language studies. University of Missouri, Kansas City Lindsy L. Myers CELLARD, KARINE, et KARIM LAROSE, éd. La langue au quotidien: les intellectuels et le français dans la presse québécoise—Anthologie, Volume 1. Québec: Nota Bene, 2010. ISBN 978...