DYNAMIQUES DE CHOIX LINGUISTIQUE EN CONTEXTE UNIVERSITAIRE: REPRÉSENTATIONS ET LOGIQUES DE POSITIONNEMENT ENTRE FRANÇAIS ET ANGLAIS
DYNAMICS OF LINGUISTIC CHOICES IN A UNIVERSITY CONTEXT: REPRESENTATIONS AND LOGICS OF POSITIONING BETWEEN FRENCH AND ENGLISH

Summary/Abstract: A kind of competition has been established between French and English, particularly in university courses. Even though these two languages play a crucial role in scientific, cultural and economic evolution, it is important to note that mastering a foreign language always remains a significant advantage for any student. The choice of a language as a specialty should not be restricted to its global prevalence. It must also take into account the individual affinities, professional ambitions and future projects of each person. It is also necessary to consider the practical aspect, the choice of a foreign language as a specialty should not be considered as a competition, but rather as a personal and well-thought-out development, adapted, to the desires and projects of each student. Does the essential issue revolve around the choice of a linguistic specialty mainly fall under a utilitarian logic(employability, scientific prestige, international mobility), a sociocultural and institutional heritage or then an identity and projective dynamic (personal affinities, professional aspirations)? In other words, is the supposed "competition" between French and English really experienced as a hierarchical rivalry, or as a space of complementarity in student paths? The objectives of the research are to identify the determining factors in the choice of a language as a specialty (instrumental, integrative, identity motivation). The study is subject to a qualitative approach with a comprehensive aim, the main results demonstrate the maintenance of a cultural and academic attachment to French which remains perceived as: language of structured university training, language of culture and historical proximity but also as a language of access to certain administrative and educational sectors. English is mainly associated with: the world structured university training language, language of culture and historical proximity but also as a language of access to certain administrative and educational sectors. English is mainly associated with: globalization, to scientific research, The "competition" between French and English appears then less as a linguistic rivalry than as a dynamic repositioning in the contemporary academic and professional market.

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