Francophone: France prefers ‘le mobile multifonction’ to smartphone

Enrichment Commission for the French Language also prefers ‘fibronique’ for fiber optics

Smartphones may have become ubiquitous in France but the country’s language mavens hope there’s still time to keep the word from becoming ensconced in everyday speech.

The Enrichment Commission for the French Language has come up with what it considers a more suitable expression: “le mobile multifonction”, or the multifunction cellphone.