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French was the language of diplomacy for a long time. Since most "educated" persons had studied Latin in school, French was not that burdensome. It gave pronunciation, flair and imagery to a Romance language. It was the "Language of Love" to many a young swain and the object of his infatuation. French novels were considered risque, and if one could comprehend them in their original tongue, might that not add spice to the story? "Madamoiselle From Armentierres" was rendered vigorously from the throats of aging veterans at reunions for decades after World War One. Left Bank expatriate writers kept interest in France and her language alive. Teenagers stateside listened to popular songs containing French phrases. Where do I hear French spoken now? From Canadian radio, mostly. What happened?

The League of Nations may have utilized French as its 'lingua franca'. The United Nations employs English. It has replaced French as the language of diplomacy. Can you empathize with the undergraduate who took three years of French studies because he anticipated a career in Foreign Service? Perhaps not. A first twist of the screw.

Boston Latin was one of the earliest schools in America. Aptly named; for its scholars must master the "Dead Language". The new wave of post-World War Two educators included many who had concluded that, Latin being dead, it should not even be an elective in High School. French was the alternative, and elective. Latin could have given students a foundation for French. But administrators knew best. Why do I belabor the Latin-French connection? Because if one has gotten deep into a subject and understands it, he will retain much of it. The lack of Latin, which constitutes the rudimentary and most difficult part toward understanding any Romance language, left students with a lesser knowledge. Analogous to driving the flivver, but not knowing what makes it run, or even how to crank it.

Lafayette was a hero, to Americans. He had helped us, along with other Frenchmen, to bottle up and whip Cornwallis at Yorktown. Pasteur was idolized in every nation, for he had painstakingly proven how to cure many incurable maladies. Even as late as Charles DeGaulle's regime, most of us could recognize the heroic in France. Much of that lustre has worn off, not just in our perception of France, but of Europe in general. Sadly, we ridicule France. Yet she is a lady with a beautiful and expressive language. I don't have much opportunity to use what I learned in those three years; and seem to have less as time goes by. C'est la vie!

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