Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-321-86245-4
Ph.D.
French and Italian
The Ohio State University
2015
This dissertation studies the history of Francophonie in Iran since the first fructuous official interactions between France and Persia in 17th century. Francophonie, i.e., the use of the French language and culture outside of France, has followed a winding path throughout several centuries in Persia (Iran). It grew from the interest of the Persian elite in a French society that neither engaged Persia militarily, nor attempted to compete with other European powers doing so. France's apparent lack of political interest in Persia became an official French diplomatic policy of 'désintéressement,' or 'disinterest.' This 'hands off' policy nourished a Persian/Iranian fascination with French culture during the 19th and 20th centuries, as France was seen as a potential ally against the growing menace of Russia and Great Britain. As a result, and despite the growing political influence of other Western powers in Persia/Iran, the French language enjoyed the privileged status of first foreign Western language in Persia/Iran for almost a century, before being replaced by the English language due to the entry of the United States onto the international stage after the Second World War. This cultural fascination, however, was not unilateral: French literary texts (travel narratives, novels, Oriental tales and philosophical texts) inspired by French ideas of an exotic Persia began to appear from the first encounters between the two nations in 17th century.
Middle Eastern history; European history; Foreign Language; Persian language; Language culture relationship; Novels; Politics; European studies; French as an international language; International relations; 17th century; Films; Middle Eastern studies; American English; Literature; Language history
Social sciences;Education;France;Francophonie;Iran