Famous French linguist Alain Rey, one of the major creators of the iconic dictionary Le Robert, died Tuesday at the age of 92, announced his wife and publishers les éditions Le Robert.
Rey, winner of many literary awards, was a member of the team brought together by French-Algerian lawyer Paul Robert to create a new French language dictionary. The six-volume dictionary known as Le Grand Robert saw the light in 1964, followed by le Petit Robert in 1967, and many other later versions.
Alain Rey was among the toughest defenders of the French language's evolution in its hybrid origin from different languages (such as Latin, Celtic, and German) and its constant interference with other languages like Italian, and Spanish. The late linguist had also overseen the creation of the Historical dictionary of the French language (1992).
His audience knew him through a daily morning segment discussing words and language on France Inter FM from 1993 to 2006. Rey won many prizes, and worked as a university professor in the US, and at the Sorbonne University in Paris. He also headed the terminology committee in the ministry of culture, and was known for his support to feminizing professions' names.
"Alain Rey had always insisted to represent the French language in all its challenges, richness, and mystery," a joint statement by his wife and Le Robert publishing house wrote.
