The Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) is located in Paris, France. It was founded in 1795 after the French Revolution and is now one of the country's Grands établissements with a specialization in African, Asian, East European, Oceanian languages and civilisations. It is often colloquially called Langues O (pronounced "lang-zo"), an abbreviation for "Langues Orientales".

Over 90 languages are taught at the INALCO, covering Asian, African, eastern European, South Pacific, Finno-Ugric and native American languages. INALCO offers beginner classes as well as Master and PhD courses. The INALCO is the French partner of the British SOAS which now teaches mainly Asian and African languages. It has been presided by Jacques Legrand since March 2005.

Contents 1 History 2 Studies Departments 3 Oriental Languages preparing to international careers 4 Famous Alumni and Staff 5 External links

[edit] History

The institute was established on March 30, 1795, by decree of the Convention nationale as the École spéciale des Langues orientales, for Oriental studies, with a mission to teach living Oriental languages "of recognized utility for politics and commerce". It first opened its doors within the Bibliothèque nationale, and grew steadily throughout the 19th century, adding new languages and incorporating the École des Jeunes de Langues founded by Jean-Baptiste Colbert in 1669.

In 1914 the school was renamed the École nationale des langues orientales vivantes, then in 1968 the Centre universitaire des langues orientales vivantes, and finally in 1971 achieved its present name. From 1971 to 1984 it was associated with the Université de la Sorbonne nouvelle (Paris III).

[edit] Studies Departments

• African Studies
• Native American Languages and Cultures Studies
• Arabic Studies
• South Asian Studies
• South-East Asian Studies
• Central and Oriental European Studies
• Chinese Studies
• Eurasian Studies
• Japanese Language and Civilization Studies
• Jewish Language and Civilization Studies
• Russian Studies

[edit] Oriental Languages preparing to international careers

At INALCO, two main professional departments provide studies that leverage the languages skills taught at the institute:

1/ The International Trade Department - Filière commerce international
This department offers the Master’s Degree in International Trade which provides a general academic background in business (international marketing, business law, logistics, corporate finance) with an emphasis on far-eastern markets, economies and inter-cultural management. This diploma typically prepares students for careers abroad in French companies’ affiliates or in France promoting exports to emerging markets.

2/ The International Relations Department - Filière relations internationales
The Master’s Degree in International Relations offered by this department is focused on policy making. Studied areas include international security issues, international finance, international public law and extensive cultural area seminars. This other post-graduate diploma prepares students for careers in NGOs, international organizations, embassies’ services, communication agencies and human resources.

[edit] Famous Alumni and Staff

• Jacques Legrand
• Léon Gontran Damas
• Edgar Faure
• Olivier Roy
• Pierre Messmer
• Patrick Poivre d'Arvor
• Henri de Laborde de Monpezat (Prince Henrik of Denmark)
• Étienne Decaux
• Henri Grappin
• Alain Guillermou
• Jean-Jacques Origas
• Aurélien Sauvageot
• Maurice Leenhardt

[edit] External links

• INALCO website
• Alumni website