Saturday, February 7, the evening was a full house (over 600 people) for a unique, free event open to everyone.
Presentation of the evening
Is the French language really under threat? Far from the usual declinist rhetoric, the Théâtre de la Concorde invites us to take a fresh look at our language during an exceptional evening led by the collective Linguistes atterrées (notably Anne Abeillé and Maria Candea) and the Belgian theatre company Chantal & Bernadette.
Entitled “French Is Doing Very Well, Thank You”, the event aims to help us understand language rather than judge it. Combining scientific rigor with a playful spirit, the speakers set out to deconstruct the preconceived ideas that often cloud public debate: sacred spelling, “relaxed” spoken language, fear of mistakes, declining standards, and inclusive writing.
On the program of this immersive evening:
Performance
La Convivialité, or the Fault of Spelling — an interactive performance that playfully pokes fun at French spelling and (maybe) proposes a few reforms
(Arnaud Hoedt and Jérôme Piron)
Short talks
From the “language of Molière” to “zombie rules”: questioning grammar as a social marker and dismantling the myths of “good French”; exploring strategies of feminization; and rethinking the relationship between grammatical gender and social gender
(Laelia Véron, Julie Neveux, Anne Abeillé, Médéric Gasquet-Cyrus, Maria Candea, and Christophe Benzitoun)
Discussion
A final open debate to reflect on language as a common good and a tool for democracy.
Whether you are a researcher, a student, or simply passionate about the life of words, don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the vitality of the French language!
Practical information
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Venue: Théâtre de la Concorde (Joséphine Baker Grand Hall), 1–3 avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
Tickets and registration: Reserve your seat here
