Linguistic Preservation in the Digital Age: Anglicisms in French and Quebec IT Terminology – A Survey of IT Students

This study explores the prevalence and integration of Anglicisms in French and Quebec IT terminology, analysing the tension between global linguistic influences and local preservation efforts. Through a two-phase survey involving 68 French-speaking computer science students, the research assesses participants’ familiarity with official French IT terms recommended by FranceTerme and their preferences compared to English alternatives. Key terms, including courriel (email), hameçonnage (phishing), and vignette active (widget), are examined alongside their Quebec-coined counterparts to highlight regional linguistic variations. The findings reveal significant challenges in the adoption of French equivalents, largely stemming from the comparative appeal and communicative efficiency of English terms. However, successful integration of terms like télécharger (download) and pare-feu (firewall) underscores the importance of conceptual clarity and cultural resonance. This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of linguistic policies in maintaining linguistic identity within a rapidly evolving field. It calls for collaborative approaches to terminology standardisation across Francophone regions to balance linguistic preservation and practical communication, ensuring that official policies are evaluated not only in terms of linguistic outcomes but also their practical relevance in rapidly evolving fields.