The Demand for Gallicization of Forenames in French Political Discourse: Integration Strategy or Covert Racism?

Abstract

Abstract

This study investigates the contentious discourse surrounding the Gallicization of forenames in French political debate between the 2012 and 2022 presidential elections, examining the complex intersection of national identity, immigration, and cultural assimilation. Through Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research reveals how far-right political rhetoric – particularly from figures like Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella – constructs and perpetuates an ideology rooted in ethnic hierarchy and implicit racism.

The semantic and pragmatic analyses of selected political speeches uncover the subtle mechanisms through which these leaders establish rigid representations of immigrant identities, positioning non-French forenames as threats to national cohesion. The findings demonstrate a strategic deployment of normative standards regarding naming practices as markers of assimilation, reflecting broader societal tensions concerning integration and belonging.

The research further examines Éric Zemmour’s distinctive discourse, which not only reinforces notions of cultural supremacy but transforms forenames into politically charged symbols of resistance against perceived threats to French identity. By contextualizing these narratives within historical and sociopolitical frameworks, this study highlights the ongoing contestation over national identity and its profound implications for immigrant communities in contemporary France.