Why the French use the English word ‘black’

March 20, 2024·22 min·2 clips

French people consider it rude to use their own word for black, but the English word 'black' is perfectly acceptable.

The episode explores why French people frequently use the English word 'black' instead of their native word 'noir' when referring to race. Reporter Emma Jacobs investigates this linguistic phenomenon by speaking with French people at a film festival and interviewing academics who study French society. The preference for the English word stems from French people finding 'noir' too direct or rude, while 'black' feels more acceptable and carries associations with African-American culture and success. The historical context reveals that France's colonial past and collaboration with Nazis during World War II created lasting discomfort around racial classifications. After decolonization, France embraced the ideal of a colorblind society where racial differences supposedly don't matter. The word 'black' first entered French vocabulary in the 1960s among intellectuals interested in American civil rights, but remained niche until the 1980s. American rap and hip-hop music, which became popular in poor suburbs around Paris with large North African and African populations, brought the word into wider use. Young French artists identified with themes in American hip-hop about police targeting and minority experiences. The word gained mainstream acceptance after France's 1998 World Cup victory, won by a diverse team that inspired the slogan 'Black Blanc Bleu' - a play on the French flag's colors that celebrated the team's diversity. This slogan emerged during celebrations that rivaled the liberation of Paris and helped establish 'black' as a positive term in French society. However, the episode reveals ongoing debates about the word's use. Some critics, including former gang member turned activist Franco Lolia, argue that using the English word allows France to treat racism as an American problem rather than confronting French realities. Historian Pap Ndiaye suggests 'noir' is more accurate for describing French experiences and has positive historical connections to French-speaking African and Caribbean intellectual movements. Sociologist Jean Beeman notes that French minority communities face a paradox of wanting to be both visible to address their issues and invisible to avoid discrimination. The episode also discusses how France's focus on Islam in public debates has overshadowed discussions of race and ethnicity. Recent adoption of 'Black Lives Matter' by some French activists shows continued American influence but also highlights the complexity of applying American frameworks to French contexts. The linguistic choice reflects broader questions about how France should discuss identity while maintaining its colorblind ideals, with the vocabulary still evolving as French society grapples with these tensions.

As heard by us

A sharp language story about how one English word carries race, style, soccer, and politics in France.

The English word "black" opens a careful story about race, style, music, soccer, and belonging in France. The episode begins with everyday speech, including a small film festival where people describe the word as trendier than "noir" and tied to African American culture.

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Why you'd press play

Why French speakers reach for black when noir already exists.

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