Society of Risagne
| File:Nativist League.jpg Membership pin of the Society | |
| Motto | Nécessité fait loi (Necessity makes law) |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1344 (O.S.) / 1345 (N.S.) |
| Type | Hereditary society |
| Purpose | Preservation of Francesian culture and the French language |
| Headquarters | 3515 boul. des Hirondelles, Fort-Françilien, Risagne |
Membership | 587 members 206 associates |
Official language | Aininian French |
The Society of Risagne (French: Société de la Risagne) is a hereditary society dedicated to the preservation of Francesian culture and the Aininian French language.
Founded in 1344 (O.S.) as a learned society for members of the aristocracy of Risagne, then an independent kingdom under the protection of Francilie, the Society shifted its focus to preserving the Francesian-influenced culture of Risagne under Namorese rule. During the Aininian Revolution, its members led a revolt against Namorese rule in Risagne, refusing to commit to either the monarchist or republican sides after the Great Betrayal. After the republican victory, the hereditary society was suspected of disloyalty and persecuted for most of the 19th century. It was gradually rehabilitated in recent years and has since established itself as an authoritative source on the Aininian French language, acting as its de facto regulator.
The Society has had 587 full members since its creation in 1344. Upon the death, resignation or expulsion of a member, membership passes onto his son or closest male relative through male primogeniture. In recent years, it has invited the linguists with whom the Society collaborates on its publications to become lifetime, nonhereditary associate members. Through its private printer, it publishes the highly-influential annual Risagne Dictionary and decennial Risagne Encyclopedia of Grammar through which it shapes the vocabulary and direction of Aininian French.
History
Origins
During the Namorese period
Aininian Revolution
Modern history
Opposition
Historical
The Society of Risagne was suppressed after the Namorese takeover of Risagne, forcing it into becoming a secret society. While underground, it became devoted to preserving Aininian French and the distinctiveness of Risagnois culture after the kingdom was annexed to Ainin, resulting in internal migration that threatened to assimilate Risagne.
The Society, due to its ambiguous loyalties during the Aininian Revolution and its aristocratic tradition of heredity, was widely vilified during the 19th century. During the Republican Terror, the Republican Guard attacked the homes of its members and persecuted many communities in the province of Risagne who were suspected of collaborating with Society members. It remained highly-controversial well into the late 19th century, after which it gradually emerged from its secrecy and returned to its roots as a learned society.
Modern
The Society has come under criticism for its prescriptivist influence on the Aininian French language, its lack of qualification on the subject matter and its hereditary policies.
Many linguists, including the Aininian Association of Linguistic Sciences, oppose the Society of Risagne for its conservative view on language and inordinate influence on the direction of Aininian French. They point to its steadfast refusal to recognise loanwords and new constructions as proof of its stagnant effect on the language. The association passed a resolution in 1998 prohibiting any of its members from working with the Society on the Risagne Dictionary or the Encyclopedia of Grammar.
The qualifications of its members has also come under question. Many note that, as a result of its hereditary nature, members of the Society are not qualified to decide the validity or direction of the language. Former president Jean-Marie Breton famously declared in 1991 that "never since the Revolution have such unqualified people held such great influence." Defenders point to its collaboration with respected linguists and academics in compiling the dictionary as proof that it is not short on expertise. Others contend that such criticisms are moot because of the Risagne Dictionary's declining influence in the internet age.
Many republican and human rights advocacy groups have also criticised the Society for its hereditary policies. The National League of Women views its male primogeniture as sexist, while the Aininian Association of Nautasians have charged the Society of discriminating against their dialects and constructions. As a result of efforts by the Republican Lobby, the National Assembly of Ainin passed a resolution in 2010 condemning the "homogeneous and unequal effects" of the Risagne Dictionary on Aininian society.