Why do we say “Septuagint” and “Ninant” in Belgium and “Seventy-Dix” and “Eighty-Dix” in France?

Between France and Belgium, a simple addition can turn to the linguistic puzzle. Therefore, Where a Frenchman will have “seventy”, a Belgian will answer “Septuagint”. Nevertheless, And for “ninety”? Meanwhile, It will be “ninety”! Consequently, If these differences often make you smile, they are not the fruit of chance or a regional fantasy. Similarly, They find their roots in the history of the French language. Furthermore, influenced in turn by Latin, Celtic counting systems and the decisions of the powerful. Nevertheless, Why has France kept A vigésimal system (based on 20)when his neighbors opted for a more direct decimal logic?

Belgium: Why are we saying “Septuagint” and not “seventies”? – Why do we say "septuagint"

The use of “Septuagint” in Belgium dates back to Latin and the use of ancient French. Unlike France. Furthermore, which ended up generalizing the use of the vigésimal system (based on 20) in the why do we say “septuagint” 17th century with “seventy” (60 + 10), Belgium and Suisse have retained a more logical decimal systeminherited from Latin. Therefore, In Latin, 70 said seventya root that is found directly in “Septuitant”. Nevertheless, The same goes for “octant” (80). “Ninant” (90), even if “octant” has today almost disappeared in favor of “eighty” even in these countries.

The logic of the decimal system seduced the Belgian educational authorities. especially from the 19th century, when Teaching was structured around a more standardized Frenchman, but detached from certain French particularities deemed complex. It is therefore not a recent simplification, but a historical choice anchored in time.

Why does France say “seventy” instead of “Septuagint”?

In France. The vigésimal system has imposed itself from the 17th centuryin particular within the framework of the major French normalization reforms carried out by the French Academy. The choice to say “seventy” (sixty + ten). “eighty” (four why do we say “septuagint” x twenty), and “ninety-dix” (ninety + ten) reflects a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. This system. influenced by the Gauls and certain Nordic peoples, remained in use in the administration and the Parisian intellectual circles, before being generalized throughout the country with republican centralization.

The influence of Paris as a linguistic center imposed this model the rest of France, despite its complexity. In his work The birth of Frenchlinguist Bernard Cerquiglini explains: “The French of Paris was normative for the whole Republic. It was he who gave the rules, even when the logic was not there “. The “Septuagint” form was therefore relegated to a regional. even abandoned use, although it also existed in France until the 18th century.

What other linguistic differences are there between French in Belgium and that of France?

Besides “Septuagint” and “Ninant”, Many lexical, syntactic and even pronunciation differences distinguish French from why do we say “septuagint” Belgium from that of France. We can cite for example the use of “once” at the end of the sentence. typical of the Brussels accent, or even words like “wipers” (for towel), “GSM” (for mobile phone), or “promise” (to present yourself to someone). These variants are explained by the influence of Dutch, German, but also by a very strong Walloon and Picard heritage.

It is important to note that Belgian French is not a dialect. but a recognized and normalized variant of Frenchtaught at school and used in the media, justice, and administration. This diversity enriches the Francophonie. According to the Council of the French language. the linguistic policy of Belgium: “The French of Belgium has its own standard, while remaining understandable and interoperable with other French -speaking varieties “. This harmonious cohabitation illustrates the richness of a language which evolves according to national contexts.

Is “Septantant” more logical why do we say “septuagint” than “seventies”?

On the mathematical level, it is undeniable that “seventy” is more logical. The decimal system is more intuitive because it follows a linear progression: 60, 70, 80, 90. Conversely, The French vigésimal system introduces ruptures: after 60, we go to “seventy”, then “eighty”, 4 x 20, and finally “ninety”. This creates discontinuity that is difficult to explain to children and non-Francophones. Besides, Many teachers in France themselves recognize that learning these numbers is a puzzle.

From an international perspective. The use of “Septuagint” also has an educational advantageespecially in French -speaking African countries where this form is sometimes taught. It is easier to translate and easier to teach. This could explain why some French -speaking countries. regions choose to adopt this variant, even if it is not the norm in French institutions.

Sources :

• The birth of French – Bernard Cerquiglini

This article was written with the help of an why do we say “septuagint” artificial intelligence, reread, corrected and supplemented by the journalists of the editorial staff