Bannon Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 I have just had an advert I wished to place in a French language newspaper rejected because it was in English. Their reason was one of policy - no language other than French was accepted.The reason it was submitted in English by the way was because I wished to target my business at British residents in France.Has anybody else experienced this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 If you want to target British residents in France, why don't you try "French News", or perhaps you already have...? There is also the site Artisan Anglais amongst others.Christine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bannon Posted June 17, 2005 Author Share Posted June 17, 2005 I do advertise in The French News Christine but their target area seems to be the Dordogne - and mine was to be the Centre. As for Artisan Anglais their title is in my opinion a misnomer as they are not all Artisans - at least not in the French sense, unlike my own company that is and registered as such. I have discussed this with them quite amicably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorhead Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 You've touched a raw nerve Bannon. The French are very touchy about the language used. They see that sort of thing as the thin end of the WASP wedge.Can't say I blame them. Anyway, how many French adverts have you seen in the Evening Standard aimed at all the French in London? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 I don't think it's a question of policy, but one of law. The "Loi Tourbon" expressly states that all public advertising of products and services whether of French origin or not, must be in French.I'm sure that there must be scope for exceptions, but I don't think this would include advertising aimed exclusively at people only able to read and understand English.Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bannon Posted June 18, 2005 Author Share Posted June 18, 2005 Points taken and perhaps I should not have been as surprised as I was. My stamping ground for many years was South Wales where language was a touchy subject and most if not all regional papers had a bilingual content - not that I'm arguing French papers should be although I wonder what their reaction would be to Breton.From another perspective, would or should I feel miffed if I saw a clutch of French or Arabic language adverts in an English national paper? I probably would and in saying so leave myself open for criticism.Thanks for you input guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creusois Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 Can you not put the advert' in two languages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 If it was in two languages one of them would still be other than French, surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 If the ad is in a French newspaper, that may mean that the English who read it speak French. So why not put the ad in French and target the French at the same time, mentioning that it is a "société anglaise"? Just a thought...Christine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bannon Posted June 18, 2005 Author Share Posted June 18, 2005 The saga continues. Had a phone call this morning from the paper in question and they say they will accept my advert if it is in both French and English. Going to cost me more money of course so a little 'financial consideration' has been agreed. Sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Sometimes the law is a bit of an ass! Was thinking of suggesting you put the ad in in both languages, as others also did, 'cos I had a feeling that was OK, but the paper has come up with that solution for you. We had a vaguely similar experience recently - OH wanted to go jetskiing, using his RYA qualification, gained in UK. It's mandatory to have a qualification in France to hire a jetski, or pay to be chaperoned by a qualified person. So, along I went with him to translate, and the guy had a look at his qualification and announced that he didn't think it was acceptable 'cos it wasn't written in French! This guy knew what the qualification was, but according to him, they weren't supposed to accept it because, quote, "the law assumes that I can't read anything not written in French"! Strangely, the sign in the hire shop advising that a qualification was required was written in French, English and German!!Glad you've solved your problem, albeit at an extra cost!Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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