NationStates Jolt Archive

I've always wondered why French is used. The best guess I could make is they started the metric system.

International System of Units(SI)
Reporters without Borders(RSF)
etc...

EDIT: Corrected name for SI.

Probably because the organisations/institutions are themselves French (such as Medecins Sans Frontiers [Doctors without Borders]) or it's a holdover from when French was the dominant international language.

What, like 'U.N.' for United Nations, and W.H.O, for World Health Organization?

I think the ones in French are because they are french based.

I've always wondered why French is used. The best guess I could make is they started the metric system.

Institution of Standards(SI)
Reporters without Borders(RSF)
etc...

Something to do with the fact that both of those groups are based in France, perchance. I know it sounds crazy, but...

While we're on the subject, let us not forget that other important international establishment: Jeux Sans Frontières.

I've always wondered why French is used. The best guess I could make is they started the metric system.

Institution of Standards(SI)
Reporters without Borders(RSF)
etc...
RSF is a French organisation, so that would be the explanation there.
As for SI, I *think* (from my sometimes rubbish memory), that the body that decides how long a metre is etc is in France somewhere (i.e. that decides a metre is as long as it takes light to travel in X.X seconds, or however it is that they decide these things officially...). I could be wrong though on that.

Because there was once a time when French was what English is today (and it still is in several parts of the world), and because many of them have been French in origin, such as Medicins Sans Frontières and SI.

Reporters Sans Frontières have three names, in English, French and Spanish - they are funded by the US and French governments, and, interestingly enough, exile Cuban groups... Anyway, they probably use the French name more to draw from the prestige that MSF has accrued.

I've always wondered why French is used. The best guess I could make is they started the metric system.

That's your best guess? :p
(seriously, though... what does the metric system have to do with international organizations' abbreviations??)

The French invented the SI system of measures and RSF is a French organisation too. No great conspiracy here.

While we're on the subject, let us not forget that other important international establishment: Jeux Sans Frontières.

You might as well have praised the Concours Eurovision de la Chanson.

You might as well have praised the Concours Eurovision de la Chanson.
You mean not everyone in Europe loves that? Blasphemy!

Reporters Sans Frontières have three names, in English, French and Spanish - they are funded by the US and French governments, and, interestingly enough, exile Cuban groups... Anyway, they probably use the French name more to draw from the prestige that MSF has accrued.

The importance of the work of RSF has also been highlighted today. I read in my morning newspaper today that 2005 was the worst year for journalists being killed whilst doing their job for at least 10 years (I think... I can't remember, breakfast was a long time ago...).

You might as well have praised the Concours Eurovision de la Chanson.

Hey, pal, the male members of Bucks Fizz tearing off the long skirts of the female members of the band to reveal 80s miniskirts underneath them was the highwater mark of British culure on the international stage, and I will punch any man who says different. It stands up there with Beethoven, Bach and Mozart.

La Suède: null points.

Don't forget FIFA.

Like FIFA? The Federation Internationale de Football Association?

Don't forget FIFA.

Blasts!

Blasts!
:D

I've always wondered why French is used. The best guess I could make is they started the metric system.
Je ne sais pas! :p

:D

You'll rue the day you crossed me, Aztec boy. Prepare to rue!

You mean not everyone in Europe loves that? Blasphemy!

It's a love-hate relationship with me. The music is horrible, but I still like to watch, because it's so, so... myopically European.

Hey, pal, the male members of Bucks Fizz tearing off the long skirts of the female members of the band to reveal 80s miniskirts underneath them was the highwater mark of British culure on the international stage, and I will punch any man who says different. It stands up there with Beethoven, Bach and Mozart.

I'm sorry, but nothing beats ABBA in Brighton. Sweden is, alas, the promised land of this godforsaken television spectacle.

La Suède: null points.

I wish. We have a habit of winning it now and again. :(

I'm sorry, but nothing beats ABBA in Brighton. Sweden is, alas, the promised land of this godforsaken television spectacle.

I was going to mention Waterloo, but it would have inevitably been picked up as yet more bullshit francophobia which is just far too common round this neck of the woods.

You'll rue the day you crossed me, Aztec boy. Prepare to rue!
I'll try to rue a bit later today, but I have to go home now.

I was going to mention Waterloo, but it would have inevitably been picked up as yet more bullshit francophobia which is just far too common round this neck of the woods.

Wa Wa Wa Wa Waterloo - du är mitt öde, mitt Waterloo... :D

Wa Wa Wa Wa Waterloo - du är mitt öde, mitt Waterloo... :D

Careful now, if you keep on praising Eurovision and singing Abba you'll blow your chances with the ladies. People might start to think that you were gay or something.

Careful now, if you keep on praising Eurovision and singing Abba you'll blow your chances with the ladies. People might start to think that you were gay or something.

Perish the thought - those fags make me sick.

Although I would not praise Eurovision, ever. It will forever remain one of my guilty little shame-filled vices...