Stumbled upon this fascinating essay about origins of the French term "Anglo-Saxon" (meaning chiefly ๐ฌ๐ง๐บ๐ธ but also ๐ฆ๐บ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ช๐จ๐ฆ).
It was invented under Napoleon III at same time the term "Latin America" was coined to justify French intervention in Mexico. aeon.co/essays/the-angโฆ
It was invented under Napoleon III at same time the term "Latin America" was coined to justify French intervention in Mexico. aeon.co/essays/the-angโฆ
Anglo-Saxon is a term that confuses English-speakers.
In the UK it simply means the Germanic tribes who established England and in the US it's associated with the ethnic term WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant), meaning the historically privileged American ethnicity/religion.
In the UK it simply means the Germanic tribes who established England and in the US it's associated with the ethnic term WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant), meaning the historically privileged American ethnicity/religion.
For the French, "Anglo-Saxon" is an economic & cultural model usually set up as a bogeyman associated with capitalism or multiculturalism (its origin had racial meaning also).
"The Anglo-Saxon is a mirror on Frenchness; it is Franceโs alter-ego and often its most feared enemy."
"The Anglo-Saxon is a mirror on Frenchness; it is Franceโs alter-ego and often its most feared enemy."
The essay traces the use of the term from when it started being used in the Second French Empire to today.
It sees spikes in its use at times of increased hostility between France and the UK, or at times when France felt the most threatened by the 'Anglo-Saxons'.
It sees spikes in its use at times of increased hostility between France and the UK, or at times when France felt the most threatened by the 'Anglo-Saxons'.
As the essay notes, the term is highly problematic and lacking nuance in lumping ๐ฌ๐ง๐บ๐ธ together.
And yet in many ways they are a bloc sharing similar characteristics, something I like to call the 'Anglosphere'. It's very observable in media portrayals of the EU, for instance.
And yet in many ways they are a bloc sharing similar characteristics, something I like to call the 'Anglosphere'. It's very observable in media portrayals of the EU, for instance.
So while I agree with the essay that the term is problematic (especially because of its creepy racial and imperialist origins), I don't agree that there is no such thing as such a bloc.
There is, and I think it would be better termed as the 'Anglosphere' in both English & French
There is, and I think it would be better termed as the 'Anglosphere' in both English & French
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