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Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales
Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales
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Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (French pronunciation: [ɛ̃stity nɑsjɔnal de lɑ̃ɡ e sivilizɑsjɔ̃ ɔʁjɑ̃tal]; transl. "National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations"),[1] abbreviated as INALCO, is a French Grand Etablissement with a specializing in the teaching of languages and cultures from the world. Its coverage spans languages of Central Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and Oceania. With 104 languages taught as of 2024, this institution is currently the world's largest provider of language training courses.[2][3][4][5]

Key Information

It is also informally called "Langues’O" (French: [lɑ̃ɡz‿o]) in French, an abbreviation for Langues orientales.

The INALCO logo is made up of the school's acronym, each part of which is translated into languages written in non-Latin characters, corresponding to Inalco's fields of teaching and research.[1]

History

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  • 1669 Jean-Baptiste Colbert founds the École des jeunes de langues language school
  • 1795 The École spéciale des langues orientales (Special School for Oriental Languages) is established
  • 1873 The two schools merge
  • 1914 The school is renamed the École nationale des langues orientales vivantes (ENLOV)
  • 1971 The school is renamed the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales or Inalco (National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations)
  • 1984 Inalco is recognized as a Grand établissement
  • 2010 Inalco becomes a founding member of Sorbonne Paris Cité
  • 2011 Inalco centralizes all of its taught courses under one roof at 65 rue des Grands Moulins in Paris[6]

Teaching

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Organization

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Inalco is structured partly into departments, whose perimeter corresponds to a region of the world, and partly into professionally-oriented courses or sectors.[7] Departments may be monolingual or group together several language sections. Inalco's courses prepare students for careers in intercultural communication and training, international trade, teaching French as a foreign language, advanced international studies, and Natural Language Processing.

List of departments and sections (and their languages)

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List of sectors

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  • International trade[20]
  • Intercultural communication and training[21]
  • Language didactics[22]
  • International relations[23]
  • Text, Computing, and Mutlilingualism (NLP)[24]

The Institute offers initial training at Bachelor's, Master's and PhD levels, as well as continuing education open to external students and professionals. Foreign students can take French as a foreign language courses. Short, à la carte courses, evening classes and “practical certificates” are also popular.

Research

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Overview

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Research at Inalco combines area studies and academic fields. Researchers study languages and civilizations that are increasingly in the spotlight – Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and as far as the Arctic – and are central to the major issues of the 21st century. Fourteen research teams, often partnered with other research organizations, PhD programs, and a publishing service form the backbone of research at Inalco. Inalco also has a project management and knowledge transfer service.

The research teams, administration offices, and doctoral school are housed in a building dedicated entirely to research, with access to a full range of support functions: assistance in preparing research proposals and grant applications, organizing scientific events, looking for partnerships and funding, publication support, internal funding, and communication.

  • 14 research teams (see below)
  • 270 faculty members
  • 300 PhD students
  • 100 scientific events per year

Research teams

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Local units:[25]

  • CERLOM (Centre d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Littératures et les Oralités du Monde)
  • CERMOM (Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche Moyen-Orient, Méditerranée)
  • CREE (Centre de Recherche Europes-Eurasie)
  • ERTIM (Équipe de Recherche Textes, Informatique, Multilinguisme)
  • LACNAD (Langues et Cultures du Nord de l’Afrique et Diasporas)
  • PLIDAM (Pluralité des Langues et des Identités: Didactique – Acquisition – Médiations)

Joint research units (UMR):[26]

  • CASE (Centre Asie du Sud-Est) - with EHESS and CNRS
  • CeRMI (Centre de Recherche sur le Monde Iranien) - with Sorbonne nouvelle, EPHE, and CNRS
  • CESSMA (Centre d’études en sciences sociales sur les mondes africains, américains et asiatiques) - with UPC and IRD
  • CRLAO (Centre de recherches linguistiques sur l'Asie orientale) - with EHESS and CNRS
  • IFRAE (Institut français de recherche sur l’Asie de l’Est) - with UPC and CNRS
  • LACITO (Langues et Civilisations à Tradition orale) - with Sorbonne Nouvelle and CNRS
  • LLACAN (Langage, Langues et Cultures d’Afrique) - with EPHE and CNRS
  • SeDyL (Structure et Dynamique des Langues) - with IRD and CNRS

Presidents

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From 1914 to 1969, presidents were called administrators.

Dates Name Discipline Comments
1796–1824 Louis-Mathieu Langlès Persian language Died in 1824
1824–1838 Antoine-Isaac Silvestre de Sacy Arabic Died in 1838
1838–1847 Pierre Amédée Jaubert Turkish language military interpreter during the Egyptian campaign 1798
1847–1864 Carl Benedict Hase modern Greek Died in 1864
1864–1867 Joseph Toussaint Reinaud Arabic Died in 1867
1867–1898 Charles Schefer Persian Died in 1898
1898–1908 Charles Barbier de Meynard Turkish, Persian Died in 1908
1908–1936 Paul Boyer Russian language Died in 1949
1936–1937 Mario Roques Romanian language Died in 1961
1937–1948 Jean Deny Turkish Died in 1963
1948–1958 Henri Massé Persian Died in 1969
1958–1969 André Mirambel modern Greek Died in 1970
1969–1971 André Guimbretière Hindi Died in 2014
1971–1976 René Sieffert Japanese language Died in 2004
1976–1986 Henri Martin de La Bastide d’Hust Middle East civilisation Died in 1986
1986–1993 François Champagne de Labriolle Russian Vice-president from 1971 to 1986
1993–2001 André Bourgey Middle East civilisation
2001–2005 Gilles Delouche Thai language (Siamese) Died in 2020
2005–2013 Jacques Legrand Mongolian language
2013-2019 Manuelle Franck Geography of Southeast Asia Vice-president from 2007 to 2013
Since 2019 Jean-François Huchet Economy of Eastern Asia Vice-president from 2013 to 2019

International

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Inalco conducts research projects in more than one hundred countries and offers joint programs with foreign universities. This enables Inalco students and their international counterparts to enhance their studies through immersive experiences. Inalco also provides distance learning courses through videoconferencing and online resources, offering instruction in Arabic, Armenian, Burmese, Estonian, Modern Hebrew, Inuktitut, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Quechua, Sinhalese, Slovak, and Swahili.[27][28]

Inalco is an active member of Sorbonne Paris Cité, with 120,000 students, 8,500 faculty members, and 6,000 technical and administrative staff. Branches have been opened in Singapore, Buenos Aires and São Paulo.

Inalco is in 2007 a founding member of the Consortium for Asian and African Studies (CAAS), with the School of Oriental and African Studies (UK), the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Japan), Leiden University (Netherlands), and the National University of Singapore.[29] Since, they have been joined by Columbia University (USA), the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (South Korea), and Shanghai International Studies University (China).[30][31][32]

The foundation strives to develop the preservation, study, transmission, development and interaction of languages and cultures in France and around the world with projects involving the institute's expertise: education, research, advancing knowledge and skills in a globalized world.

More than 120 nationalities are represented by Inalco faculty and students. The institute, along with its teachers, students and partners, organizes over a hundred cultural events a year.[33] Inalco also participates in several international film festivals (such as the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema) and makes every effort to share its knowledge and expertise with society.[34]

Notable professors and alumni

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See also

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Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco) is a French public higher education and research institution dedicated to the teaching and study of over 100 languages and civilizations from regions including , , , the , and . Founded in 1795 during the as the École spéciale des langues orientales, it was established to provide practical language training for , , and cultural exchange, initially focusing on four key languages. As the world's only institution offering such an extensive range of specialized language programs, Inalco emphasizes research-driven education that integrates , , , and social sciences, preparing students for careers in , , and academia. Inalco's evolution reflects France's shifting geopolitical interests, with significant milestones including its relocation to 2 rue de in 1873, renaming to École nationale des langues orientales vivantes in 1914, and adoption of its current name in 1971. It achieved the status of a grand établissement in , granting it greater autonomy, and was a founding member of the Sorbonne Paris Cité alliance in 2010, from which it departed in 2024 to join the Sorbonne Alliance. By the , the institution had expanded dramatically, growing from its original four languages to over 50 by 1970, adapting to include rare and endangered languages spoken by native instructors. Academically, Inalco offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees across 12 departments, such as Arabic studies, Chinese studies, and , alongside professional streams in areas like , language didactics, and multilingual engineering. Its research encompasses 14 teams, five of which are jointly supervised by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), focusing on and regional expertise to support global understanding and policy. and distance learning options further extend its reach, including courses in French as a and specialized diplomas; in January 2025, Inalco signed a framework agreement with to strengthen collaboration in language training and joint research. With approximately 8,000 students from over 120 nationalities and a staff of more than 500, including 235 tenured teacher-researchers, Inalco operates from two main sites in : its research house at 2 rue de Lille in the 7th and the Pôle des langues et civilisations at 65 rue des Grands Moulins in the 13th. The institution hosts over 250 cultural events annually, fostering intercultural dialogue and preserving linguistic diversity.

Overview

Mission and Scope

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO), established in 1795, is a public grand établissement under the French Ministry of Higher Education and , dedicated to the teaching and research of languages and civilizations to support practical needs in , , and intercultural relations. Its core mission emphasizes the acquisition of advanced alongside in-depth knowledge of associated cultures, histories, societies, and contemporary dynamics, distinguishing it from general universities by its specialized focus on . INALCO's scope encompasses over 100 languages and civilizations across diverse regions, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Oceania, with programs integrating linguistic training and cultural analysis to foster global competence. This comprehensive coverage enables students to engage with non-Western perspectives, promoting humanism, cultural exchange, and professional applications in fields such as multilingual engineering, international business, and humanitarian action. As of 2023, INALCO enrolls approximately 9,000 students in initial training programs, including a significant international cohort representing over 120 nationalities, and employs around 235 tenured teaching staff to deliver its research-oriented curriculum. This structure supports its role in advancing intercultural understanding by combining language mastery with interdisciplinary studies on political, economic, and social systems of targeted regions.

Campuses and Facilities

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) operates from two primary campuses in , supporting its teaching and research activities. The historic site at 2 rue de Lille in the 7th serves as the Maison de la Recherche, a facility established in its current form in following renovations to the mid-18th-century building, to which Inalco relocated in 1873. This location houses INALCO's research units, doctoral studies administration, publications office, and financial research support services, emphasizing scholarly work in oriental languages and civilizations. The main teaching campus, known as the Pôle des langues et civilisations, is located at 65 rue des Grands Moulins in the arrondissement and has functioned as INALCO's central hub for academic instruction since 2011. Situated within the development, this modern facility accommodates the majority of undergraduate and graduate courses, providing spacious classrooms and collaborative spaces designed for and cultural studies. INALCO's facilities include specialized libraries and resource centers tailored to . The central library at the Maison de la Recherche features a dedicated with collections focused on rare manuscripts, periodicals, and monographs in over 100 , complemented by access to the Bibliothèque universitaire des langues et civilisations (BULAC) for broader interdisciplinary holdings. laboratories and setups, such as nine free-access booths for materials and audio labs equipped with tools like Kallylang and Sanako software, enable practical training in , conversation, and digital media production across these languages. Digital resources are robust, with platforms like offering course materials, exercises, and forums, alongside a media library with over 1,500 DVD titles, complemented by a video-on-demand platform, for cultural and linguistic content. To enhance accessibility, both campuses incorporate features for students with disabilities, including ramps and elevators at the Maison de la Recherche to ensure mobility support. A of the sites is available online, allowing prospective students to explore the Pôle des langues et civilisations and Maison de la Recherche interactively from street-level views to interior spaces. With a capacity to serve approximately 9,000 students, INALCO has integrated hybrid learning infrastructure since 2020, featuring video consultation stations, self-service computer rooms, and remote access to digital tools to accommodate blended face-to-face and models.

History

Founding and Early Years

The École spéciale des langues orientales was established on 10 Germinal Year III (30 March 1795) by a decree of the French National Convention, within the premises of the Bibliothèque nationale in Paris. This creation was spurred by a report from Joseph Lakanal, president of the Committee of Public Instruction, who advocated for a specialized institution to train interpreters proficient in "vulgar and diplomatic idioms" essential for France's commercial, political, and diplomatic relations with the East. The initiative drew on proposals by orientalist Louis-Mathieu Langlès, who emphasized practical language training to address the acute shortage of skilled interpreters following the Revolution. From its inception, the school focused on four key living oriental languages: (both literary and vulgar dialects), Turkish (including Crimean Tartar), Persian, and Malay, selected for their strategic importance in trade routes, , and emerging colonial interests. Instruction emphasized oral proficiency and practical application, distinguishing it from more theoretical academic programs, with courses designed to produce interpreters capable of serving in embassies, consulates, and expeditions. Langlès, appointed as the first director, played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum, drawing on his expertise in and Persian while recruiting initial faculty from scholars at the Bibliothèque nationale. The early years were marked by significant challenges amid France's political turbulence, including the Directory period, , and subsequent restorations, which disrupted funding and operations. Enrollment remained limited, often to a handful of students per chair due to the school's cramped quarters at the Bibliothèque nationale and difficulties in acquiring teaching materials like manuscripts and dictionaries. Despite these obstacles, the institution persisted, with directors like Langlès fostering a blend of and ; by the mid-19th century, reforms under decrees of and refined the program to include geography of regions and balanced oral ("viva voce") and written instruction. In 1873, a presidential merged the school with the École des jeunes de langues (founded ) and relocated it to 2 rue de Lille in , providing dedicated space and enabling expansions such as library acquisitions and enhanced facilities for practical training. This move marked a consolidation of its foundational role, laying the groundwork for further institutional growth in the following decades.

20th Century Developments

In 1914, amid the outbreak of , the institution was renamed the École nationale des langues orientales vivantes (ENLOV), emphasizing the teaching of "living" languages to meet the urgent needs for interpreters and diplomats in contemporary global conflicts. This change, formalized by a decree on June 8, 1914, elevated its status as a key higher education entity and introduced the enduring nickname "Langues O'." Following , ENLOV underwent significant expansion, incorporating languages from decolonizing regions to support France's evolving diplomatic, commercial, and cultural interests. By the 1969-1970 academic year, the curriculum encompassed approximately 50 languages, a marked increase from its earlier focus, driven by geopolitical shifts and rising student enrollment that strained facilities and prompted temporary relocations such as to Porte Dauphine in 1968. In 1971, the institution was officially redesignated as the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO), reflecting a broader mandate that integrated the study of civilizations alongside language instruction and aligned it with the Sorbonne amid post-1968 educational reforms. This evolution facilitated the integration of women into teaching roles, with pioneering female scholars like Maria Szurek-Wisti contributing to oriental languages and programs during the mid-20th century. Concurrently, INALCO shifted toward academic research, complementing practical language training with scholarly pursuits in and to address complex global dynamics. In 1984, INALCO attained the status of a grand établissement, enhancing its autonomy and research capabilities as a precursor to further modernizations.

Modern Era and Expansions

In 1984, under the framework of the Savary Law on higher education, INALCO was designated a grand établissement, conferring upon it a high degree of autonomy comparable to that of elite institutions such as the grandes écoles, allowing independent governance and specialized academic focus. This status, formalized in 1985, enabled INALCO to operate as a distinct public establishment of scientific, cultural, and professional character, free from direct university affiliation while maintaining ties to the national higher education system. Advancing into the 21st century, INALCO joined the Sorbonne Paris Cité alliance in as a founding member, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across institutions in higher education and research with a combined enrollment exceeding 120,000 students. This partnership enhanced INALCO's role in multinational academic networks, promoting joint programs in , , and cultural exchanges. To streamline operations, INALCO consolidated all teaching activities in September 2011 at a new facility located at 65 rue des Grands Moulins in Paris's 13th , centralizing previously dispersed programs into a modern, purpose-built structure designed for and studies. Complementing this, the Maison de la Recherche was inaugurated in 2021 at 2 rue de Lille in the 7th , repurposing an 18th-century historic building as a hub for units focused on linguistic mediations, intercultural studies, and area-specific scholarship. This dual-site model supports expanded scholarly output while preserving heritage elements. Recent initiatives underscore INALCO's ongoing vitality: in 2025, the institution hosted European Heritage Days at its rue de Lille site, offering public access to the historic building with guided explorations of its architectural and cultural significance from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on September 20. Additionally, INALCO organized the 19th NooJ International from June 11 to 13, 2025, convening linguists and computational experts at its Grands Moulins to advance methodologies through workshops and presentations. These events reflect INALCO's commitment to public engagement and cutting-edge research amid steady growth in covered languages.

Academic Programs

Degree Programs

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco) offers a three-year (Licence) program, structured around 180 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits, focusing on the LLCER (Langues, Littératures et Civilisations Étrangères et Régionales) major. This program combines intensive language proficiency training with in-depth studies of literature, history, and cultural contexts, available in 57 languages ranging from common to rare ones across , , , and beyond. Students engage in practical components such as oral and written language exercises, workshops, and introductory fieldwork to apply linguistic skills in real-world scenarios, fostering a balanced understanding of linguistic structures and civilizational dynamics. At the graduate level, Inalco provides two-year Master's programs (120 ECTS credits), building on the Bachelor's foundation with advanced specialization in , , and . Key tracks include the LLCER Master's, which deepens expertise in specific languages and civilizations through seminars on , , and ; the Language Sciences (SDL) Master's, co-accredited with , emphasizing linguistic diversity and theoretical analysis; and professional-oriented programs like and Interpreting (TI), Didactics of Languages (DDL), and (IR). These curricula integrate practical elements, including advanced translation projects, interpreting simulations, and optional fieldwork abroad, preparing students for careers in , , and international business while promoting research methodologies. Doctoral programs at Inalco are conducted through the École Doctorale n°265 "Langues, Littératures et Sociétés du Monde," typically spanning three years of research under the supervision of over 100 habilitated directors. This research-based pathway supports advanced theses in , , , and , drawing on sources in over 100 languages and civilizations taught at the institution, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches across 14 affiliated research units. Approximately 300 PhD students are enrolled, engaging in original fieldwork, , and collaborative projects to contribute to scholarly knowledge on global linguistic and cultural phenomena. The program includes pedagogical training to enhance research skills and , ensuring theses align with high academic standards.

Continuing Education and Specialized Training

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) offers a wide array of non-degree programs tailored for working professionals, adult learners, and those seeking lifelong skill enhancement in languages and cultures. These include customized courses available in group or individual formats across over 100 languages, covering regions from to , , , and the . Designed for flexibility, the programs feature evening classes, Saturday sessions, intensive workshops, and bespoke training modules that can be adapted to participants' schedules and needs, enabling professionals to build or refine competencies in comprehension, expression, and cultural nuances without disrupting their careers. Specialized training under INALCO's Executive Education initiative targets high-level professionals, including diplomats and business executives, with programs such as Com2i (Intercultural and International Communication). This program provides short, practical courses on multilingual organizational communication, geopolitics, and intercultural strategies, often customized for corporate teams to address specific international challenges like negotiating with partners in China or analyzing regional media. Examples include modules on understanding Generation Z in intercultural contexts or working effectively with Ukrainian stakeholders, delivered in modular formats lasting from a few hours to several days. INALCO also delivers short-term certifications focused on , interpretation, and cultural expertise, frequently developed in with employers and public institutions. These certifications prepare participants for professional applications, such as the Diplôme de Compétence en Langue (DCL) for general language proficiency, LILATE for languages like , Chinese, Japanese, and Russian, and JLPT for Japanese, with preparatory courses emphasizing practical skills in specialized contexts like or . Partnerships with entities such as the and organizations like the Ministère des Armées or the facilitate tailored sessions that integrate real-world expertise, ensuring certifications align with employer demands. To enhance , particularly for returning students and mid-career adults, INALCO has incorporated flexible scheduling and expanded options since 2020, including distance learning platforms and hybrid formats for many courses. This approach supports diverse learners by offering self-paced elements, virtual assessments, and intra-company delivery, with over 1,800 trainees participating in 2022-2023 alone.

Organizational Structure

Departments and Sections

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) organizes its academic activities into 11 study departments, each focused on specific geographic and cultural regions, alongside a plurilingual section for languages and cultures and two departments. These departments serve as the primary units for coordinating , , and administrative operations, ensuring integrated curricula that combine language instruction with civilization studies across disciplines such as , , and literature. The departments include and , , and the Pacific, , , Arab Studies, , Hebrew Studies, Russian, , and . Each department is governed by a , elected every three years by staff and students, which defines pedagogical strategies, examination procedures, and , including advisory input on additional hours. For instance, the and department encompasses sections dedicated to North and Saharan Africa, (with emphases on West, East, and Southern regions), and the Indian Ocean islands, facilitating targeted programs in regional languages and cultural contexts. INALCO's departments collectively employ 235 tenured teaching staff members, who develop and deliver interdisciplinary streams such as those in , language didactics, and , integrating regional expertise with broader professional skills from the bachelor's level onward. These units promote cross-departmental collaboration to address complex global themes, ensuring curricula remain adaptable to evolving scholarly needs. A notable recent development is the enhancement of the department, which specializes in indigenous languages and cultures of North, Central, and , offering unique multi-year degree programs in languages like Quechua, , and Guarani—the only such offerings worldwide at the university level. This restructuring underscores INALCO's commitment to underrepresented areas, with department councils renewed in December 2022 to support these expansions.

Languages and Civilizations Covered

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) provides comprehensive training in 77 languages and their associated civilizations, emphasizing both oral and written proficiency across beginner to advanced levels, with a particular focus on rare and endangered languages to preserve . This extensive catalog reflects INALCO's mission to cover linguistic diversity from to the , integrating instruction with studies of regional histories, literatures, and societies. Note that courses are closed for the 2025-2026 . In African and studies, INALCO offers 11 languages, including , Bambara (Mandingo), Hausa, Berber (including Kabyle), Malagasy, , Wolof, Comorian, Fulani, Soninke, and Yoruba, alongside explorations of sub-Saharan and North African civilizations such as Islamic and oral traditions. These programs highlight unique offerings like Berber dialects from , , and the , fostering proficiency in both spoken forms and cultural contexts. Asian languages form the core of INALCO's curriculum, encompassing 33 options across East, South, Southeast, Central, and Himalayan regions, such as Chinese (Mandarin and classical), Japanese, Korean (closed for 2025-2026), , Persian, Turkish, Vietnamese, , Uyghur, Bengali, Tamil, Tibetan, Burmese, Khmer, Lao, and Indonesian-Malaysian. Rare languages like Uyghur and are emphasized, often paired with civilization studies on topics including histories, South Asian literatures, and Southeast Asian philosophies, under departmental oversight for specialized regional expertise. Beyond Asia and Africa, INALCO covers languages from other regions, including European ones like Albanian, Modern Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, and Ukrainian; American indigenous tongues such as Quechua, Nahuatl, Guarani, Inuktitut, Tzeltal, and Yucatecan Maya, with a focus on endangered varieties and Mesoamerican civilizations; and others like Armenian, Hebrew (integrated with Jewish studies), Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Pacific languages including Drehu, Tahitian, and Bislama. This selection underscores INALCO's commitment to global linguistic preservation, particularly for endangered languages like Nahuatl and Guarani, through tailored proficiency training.

Research Activities

Focus Areas and Approach

The research at the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) adopts a core approach centered on situated studies that integrate , , , history, and , tailored to specific cultural regions such as , , and the . This interdisciplinary methodology fosters cross-fertilization between and disciplinary fields, employing qualitative and mixed methods including , ethnographic fieldwork, and lexicometry to examine how languages shape identities, narratives, and societal dynamics. By combining linguistic expertise with perspectives, INALCO's research emphasizes contextualized analysis that avoids Western-centric frameworks, promoting a nuanced understanding of non-European civilizations. A key emphasis lies in applied outcomes that extend beyond theoretical inquiry, particularly in translation practices, development, and applications for endangered or underrepresented languages. Researchers leverage tools like automatic language processing and to address practical challenges, such as preserving linguistic diversity through digital archives or informing policies on in global contexts. These efforts ensure that findings contribute to real-world applications, including enhanced technologies and strategies for preservation. Doctoral training forms a cornerstone of INALCO's , conducted through École Doctorale 265 "Langues, littératures et sociétés," which supports approximately 300 PhD students with rigorous, high-level supervision from over 100 qualified faculty members. The program provides comprehensive guidance from thesis registration to defense, including funding for field missions, professional skills workshops, and international collaborations, ensuring students develop both disciplinary expertise and career-ready competencies. INALCO's publishing services, via Les Presses de l'Inalco, facilitate the dissemination of through monographs, scholarly books, and journals dedicated to oriental and non-Western civilizations. These publications, often in formats, cover interdisciplinary works on languages, literatures, and cultural histories, serving international academic presses and fostering global scholarly dialogue.

Research Teams and Collaborations

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco) maintains 14 dedicated research teams, structured as host teams (équipes d'accueil) or research units (unités mixtes de recherche, UMR) that emphasize regional languages, cultures, and interdisciplinary approaches. These teams produce scholarly output through seminars, fieldwork, and publications, supporting Inalco's doctoral school, which oversees approximately 300 PhD students in , , and . Key teams include LACNAD (Languages and Cultures of North Africa and Diaspora), which examines , urban practices, and cultural transmission in the and , drawing on , , and . IFRAE (French Research Institute on East Asia, UMR 8043), a collaboration with CNRS and Université Paris Cité, focuses on historical, social, and linguistic dynamics across , , Korea, and , hosting over 65 researchers and 90 doctoral/postdoctoral scholars. Other regional teams cover diverse areas, such as LLACAN (Languages, Languages and Cultures of , UMR 8135) for African linguistics and oral traditions in partnership with CNRS, and CREE (Center for Research on Eastern Europe) for studies on , , and the . Teams like CERLOM address global literatures and oralities, while ERTIM specializes in and multilingual processing. Inalco's teams collaborate extensively with national institutions such as CNRS and EHESS, forming joint UMRs that integrate Inalco's language expertise with broader humanities research; for instance, IFRAE and LLACAN exemplify these ties. Internationally, over 200 partnership agreements enable joint projects in more than 100 countries, including fieldwork with bodies like the EFEO (French School of Asian Studies) in via the CASE team. These collaborations yield approximately 100 scientific events per year, alongside PhD defenses and publications through Inalco's presses. A notable recent initiative is Inalco's participation in the EUniWell European University alliance since 2023, with 2025 projects like the LIME network exploring lived and its links to societal across partner universities in , , and . This effort trains students and staff in multilingual research methodologies, fostering cross-cultural studies.

Leadership and Governance

List of Presidents

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO), originally founded as the École spéciale des langues orientales in 1795, has been led by a series of directors and administrators until 1971, after which the title shifted to president upon its elevation to grand établissement status. These leaders have shaped the institution's development, from its early focus on practical language training for and trade to its modern role in advanced research and international partnerships. The following chronological list highlights key presidents, their tenures, and notable contributions where documented, drawing on historical administrative records and institutional announcements.
NameTenureSpecialization/Contributions
Louis-Mathieu Langlès1795–1824Founder-director; established the curriculum in living Oriental languages such as , Persian, and Turkish, emphasizing practical applications for commerce and politics.
Antoine-Isaac Silvestre de Sacy1824–1838Leading orientalist and administrator; expanded the school's library holdings in Oriental manuscripts and promoted scholarly rigor in and studies.
Pierre Amédée Jaubert1838–1847Orientalist and diplomat; strengthened ties with the and advanced instruction in Persian and Armenian languages.
Charles Benoît Hase1847–1864Philologist; oversaw the integration of into the curriculum during a period of institutional stabilization.
Joseph Reinaud1864–1867 and ; focused on cataloging Oriental collections amid growing enrollment.
Charles Schefer1867–1898; longest-serving early administrator, who modernized administrative structures and expanded language offerings to include .
Charles Barbier de Meynard1898–1908Orientalist; emphasized historical studies alongside language training.
Paul Boyer1908–1936Russian specialist; navigated the school through , introducing Russian and and enhancing its role in diplomatic training.
Mario Roques1936–1937Medievalist; brief tenure focused on administrative continuity.
Jean Deny1937–1948Turkish professor; led during , maintaining operations and post-war recovery in Turkic language studies.
Henri Massé1948–1958Persianist; supported expansion of archaeological and historical research programs.
André Mirambel1958–1969Hellenist and ; advocated for interdisciplinary approaches, including modern .
André Guimbretière1969–1971 specialist; oversaw the transition to INALCO's new status as a national institute.
René Sieffert1971–1976 expert; initiated post-1971 reforms to integrate civilizations studies more deeply.
Jean-Claude Revzon1976–1981; emphasized programs.
Michel Tardieu1981–1986Central Asian religions scholar; guided strategic planning amid 1980s institutional growth.
François Champagne de Labriolle1986–1993Russian specialist; contributed to the 1984 decree elevating INALCO's status and expanding international collaborations.
André Bourgey1993–2001Middle Eastern civilizations expert; advanced research in studies and digital resources.
Gilles Delouche2001–2005 professor; founded services and enhanced Southeast Asian programs.
Jacques Legrand2005–2013Mongolian linguist; promoted Central Asian studies and faculty international mobility.
Manuelle Franck2013–2019Southeast Asian geographer; focused on in and institutional partnerships in the region.
Jean-François Huchet2019–present economy specialist; has driven international expansion, including the creation of the INALCO Foundation in 2021 to support and global outreach, leveraging his expertise in Asian economic development.

Administrative Bodies

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco) operates under a that emphasizes autonomy as a grand établissement public à caractère scientifique, culturel et professionnel, allowing it to independently manage its strategic orientations, , and academic policies without direct oversight from a larger structure. The primary administrative body is the Conseil d'administration, a deliberative organ chaired by the president that defines the institute's general policies, approves and programs, sets admission criteria, adopts internal regulations, and oversees the . Comprising 40 members, it includes representatives from faculty (across three colleges: A for tenured teachers, B for researchers, and C for contractual staff), administrative personnel, external personalities from academia and society, and eight elected students to ensure diverse input on institutional decisions. Participants of right include the director general of services, while invited members provide specialized advice. Supporting the president, a team of vice-presidents oversees key operational areas, with the current structure as of 2025 reflecting a focus on research, education, and global outreach. Delphine Allès serves as vice-president for the conseil d'administration, organization, and resources, managing administrative efficiency and financial planning. Rima Sleiman acts as vice-president for the scientific council and research, assisted by Assen Slim on and . Isabelle Konuma leads on training, with s Frédéric Wang and Alexandre Toumarkine handling undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively. Gilles Forlot directs European and international affairs, supported by Ilil Yatziv Malibert, coordinating global strategies and mobility initiatives. Additional vice-presidents include Julien Vercueil for valorization and environmental responsibility, Laurent Maheux for student success and campus life, and Yayoi Nakamura-Delloye for . The director of services, Valérie Liger-Belair, and deputy director Béatrice Argant (also HR director) handle day-to-day administration under the cabinet directed by Julia Cornalba. Specialized committees reinforce this framework, including the Conseil scientifique, which proposes research policies, evaluates scientific units, and advises on faculty recruitment and doctoral programs, consisting of up to 40 members including teacher-researchers, external experts, and six PhD students, chaired by vice-president Rima Sleiman. Ethical oversight is provided by a dedicated référent for scientific integrity, Professor Étienne Boisserie, appointed in 2023 to promote and handle integrity issues across projects. Internationalization efforts, integral to Inalco's mission, are embedded in the vice-presidency structure and supported by strategic planning that fosters extensive global collaborations. Complementing these bodies, the Fondation Inalco, established in 2021 as a partnership foundation, focuses on to support academic projects, scholarships, and cultural preservation initiatives, enhancing the institute's financial autonomy and long-term development.

International Engagement

Partnerships and Networks

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco) maintains extensive international partnerships that bolster its role in higher education and cultural exchange. Since 2010, Inalco has been a founding member of Sorbonne Paris Cité, a uniting major Parisian institutions to advance collaborative , , and across disciplines. This alliance facilitates shared resources and interdisciplinary initiatives among its members, including universities and grandes écoles. In the 2020s, Inalco expanded its European networks by joining EUniWell in 2023, a European Universities alliance focused on promoting well-being in higher education through joint programs and societal impact projects involving 11 partner institutions. Inalco has established over 200 partnership agreements with universities worldwide, spanning more than 100 countries, which support joint academic programs and institutional exchanges. These include dual-degree arrangements, such as the double-diplôme with launched in 2016 to train specialists in , combining Inalco's linguistic expertise with Sciences Po's focus. Similar collaborations extend to Asian institutions, exemplified by agreements with for research and training in Chinese studies. These networks enable co-developed curricula and mutual recognition of qualifications, enhancing Inalco's global academic footprint. The Fondation Inalco, established to secure philanthropic support, funds projects that increase the institution's visibility and impact in regions like and . Donor contributions back initiatives such as international immersion scholarships, innovative research, and resources focused on underrepresented languages and cultures. In 2025, Inalco signed key agreements to deepen strategic ties. On January 8, a framework accord with (UPCité) integrates language training into broader urban studies efforts, including pooled French-as-a-foreign-language courses and joint research on . On April 14, a meeting with Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University led to preliminary agreements on academic collaboration, including teaching, research, and student mobility programs. Additionally, a September visit by a from Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU) in led to strengthened collaboration on and , paving the way for expanded exchanges.

Student and Faculty Mobility

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco) actively promotes student mobility through the Erasmus+ program, with the 2025-2026 campaign currently open for second-semester mobilities to partner universities across and other regions. This initiative enables Inalco students from bachelor's to PhD levels to undertake study or traineeship periods abroad, fostering intercultural competence in line with the institution's focus on languages and civilizations. Inalco hosts more than 15 international students annually in its Com2i (Intercultural and International Communication) program and other tracks, integrating them into specialized courses while providing support for academic and cultural adaptation. Outgoing mobility opportunities are available to students each year, allowing them to participate in exchanges at partner institutions worldwide through coordinated campaigns and grant management. Faculty exchanges are facilitated through international alliances, such as the Eurocampus 2025 program hosted in , which brings together educators for collaborative sessions in and . These exchanges, often under Erasmus+ teaching mobility, enable Inalco professors to deliver lectures and engage in joint academic activities at partner universities, enhancing cross-cultural teaching practices. Inalco supports global fieldwork in language studies by offering scholarships and funding for PhD candidates conducting in over 100 countries, aligning with the institution's coverage of languages and civilizations from diverse regions. These opportunities, including immersion grants, allow doctoral students to pursue on-site linguistic documentation and , often in collaboration with international partners.

Notable Individuals

Prominent Faculty

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) employs over 235 tenured teaching staff, fostering expertise across more than 100 languages and civilizations, including endangered ones such as , which is taught through dedicated courses on its classical and modern forms to preserve Mesoamerican linguistic heritage. Faculty contributions emphasize innovative teaching methods for rare languages, alongside groundbreaking research in , , and , often resulting in influential publications and international recognitions. Annie Montaut, professor emeritus of Hindi and general linguistics since 2014, has advanced the study of Indian languages through her work on syntax, semantics, and non-canonical subjects in Hindi-Urdu, authoring over 100 articles and books that bridge linguistics and literature; she also received the 2022 INALCO/Vo-Vf Translation Prize for her renditions of contemporary Indian authors. Jean-François Huchet, current president of INALCO and of Chinese economics and comparative development in , has shaped understandings of economic transitions in post-Soviet and East Asian contexts through his editorial role at Perspectives chinoises (2006–2011) and analyses of institutional reforms in . Catherine Despeux, honorary in Chinese studies, specializes in body techniques, , and self-cultivation practices in early and medieval , with key publications exploring in Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist traditions; in 2023, she was awarded the Stanislas Julien Medal by the Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres for her contributions to . Charlotte Marchina, associate professor of and civilization, conducts anthropological research on and human-animal relations in and , authoring works like A Herdsman in the Heart of the Steppes and earning a Fundamental Chair from the Institut universitaire de in 2023 as well as Mongolia's Medal for her fieldwork impacts. Michael Lucken, professor of Japanese contemporary history, examines intellectual history, , and in modern Japan, with seminal books on postwar cultural debates and the as a pivotal era; appointed to the Institut universitaire de in 2023, his work integrates and to analyze Japan's global cultural exchanges.

Distinguished Alumni

The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) has produced over 80,000 graduates worldwide, many of whom have made significant contributions in , academia, media, and cultural exchange. These alumni leverage their specialized language and civilizational expertise to bridge international divides, with notable figures advancing French foreign policy, scholarly research on non-Western societies, and public discourse on global affairs. In the field of media and journalism, Patrick Poivre d'Arvor stands out as a prominent alumnus who studied at INALCO. He became one of France's most recognized television journalists, anchoring the evening news on for over two decades from 1987 to 2008, where he covered international events with a nuanced understanding of Eastern European cultures informed by his linguistic training. His career extended to authorship, producing over 50 books on history, travel, and , often drawing on cross-cultural perspectives. Diplomacy represents another key area of alumni impact, exemplified by Boris Boillon, who pursued studies in and at INALCO after . As a career , he served as France's to from 2009 to 2011 and to from 2011 to 2012, navigating complex geopolitical transitions in the during pivotal moments like the Arab Spring. Similarly, Jean-David Levitte, an INALCO graduate in Chinese and Indonesian languages, advised multiple French presidents on Asian affairs, including as to the (2002–2007) and chief diplomatic advisor to , shaping Franco-American and Franco-Asian relations. In academia and , Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi exemplifies INALCO's influence, having earned his diploma in there before advancing to the (EPHE). As a leading scholar of Shi'i Islam, he holds the chair in at EPHE/ and has authored seminal works like The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism, which reinterprets Qur'anic and mystical traditions, earning international acclaim for its rigorous philological approach. His research fosters global understanding of Islamic intellectual history, with contributions to and publications translated into multiple languages. Other , such as linguist Claude Hagège, who studied Hebrew, Chinese, and Russian at INALCO, have furthered linguistic theory through works on language universals and endangerment, influencing policies on multilingualism in international organizations. INALCO alumni also extend their expertise to politics and business, promoting cultural exchange on a broader scale. André Santini, trained in Japanese and Korean, served as a , and former minister, advocating for Franco- partnerships in parliamentary roles. In business, figures like Roger Tran, an alumnus in Chinese studies, rose to general manager for at the Group, facilitating economic ties between and . Collectively, these graduates—spanning over 80 documented categories of achievement—underscore INALCO's role in nurturing professionals who drive intercultural , scholarship, and innovation worldwide.

References

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