Ballet is a beautiful art form with a long and rich history. It has been around for centuries and has evolved over time, but one thing that has always remained consistent is the language used in ballet.
Ballet terminology is almost entirely in French, which can make it difficult for newcomers to the art form to understand. But why is ballet language so heavily rooted in French
The answer lies in its history. During the 17th century, Louis XIV of France established the Royal Academy of Dance, which standardized ballet technique and codified the steps and terminology used in the art form. As a result, many of the words used in ballet today are derived from French, including terms like pirouette (twirl), en pointe (on your toes), pas de deux (dance for two) and arabesque (one leg extended back).
This isn’t just a historical quirk either. Even today, if you attend a professional ballet performance or take classes at a prestigious academy, you will most likely still be using French terms to discuss and practice ballet steps. This is because French remains the international language of ballet; it is used by dancers all over the world to communicate with each other about their art form.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that all dance terminology needs to be in French; there are many other languages that have contributed to the development of ballet throughout its history. For example, Russian ballets often feature different steps and musical pieces than those found in traditional French ballets.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is clear that while some aspects of ballet have changed over time, its language remains firmly rooted in French. Despite this fact, other languages have made contributions to its development as well. As such, it can be said that while many words used in ballet are indeed derived from French, they are not necessarily exclusive to one language.