Learn How to Pronounce François Guizot | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce François Guizot

Quick Answer: In French, the name François Guizot is pronounced [fʁɑ̃swa ɡizo].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

François Guizot (1787-1874) was a preeminent French statesman, historian, and philosopher who served as Prime Minister of France from 1847 until the Revolution of 1848, a pivotal period during the July Monarchy under King Louis-Philippe. A leading figure of the conservative Doctrinaires, Guizot championed a constitutional monarchy grounded in a limited electorate, famously urging citizens to "enrichissez-vous" ("enrich yourselves") through work and thrift to gain the vote. His tenure was defined by a policy of resistance to electoral reform, which contributed significantly to the political unrest that culminated in his overthrow. As a foundational figure in French political history, Guizot was also a prolific historian of civilization and a key architect of primary education laws, leaving a complex legacy as both a scholar and a polarizing conservative politician.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is François Guizot. Common errors arise from the diacritical marks in his first name and the uncommon "z" in his surname. Frequent misspellings include "Francois Guizot" (omitting the cedilla), "François Guizott" (adding an extra 't'), and "Francois Guizo" (dropping the cedilla and the final 't'). The anglicized "Francis Guizot" is historically inaccurate but occasionally seen. Typographical mistakes like "Guiziot" or "Guizat" also occur. When writing, it is crucial to retain the French orthography to maintain accuracy, particularly the cedilla under the 'c' in François, which changes the pronunciation to "Fran-swa," and the single 't' at the end of Guizot, which is silent.

Example Sentences

The historical scholarship of François Guizot, particularly his Histoire de la civilisation en Europe, profoundly influenced 19th-century thought on societal development.

As Prime Minister, François Guizot's stubborn opposition to broadening the franchise became a direct catalyst for the 1848 February Revolution.

Students of the July Monarchy often analyze the speeches and policies of François Guizot to understand the era's conservative liberalism.

Despite his political downfall, the educational reforms championed by François Guizot had a lasting impact on the French school system.

His personal motto, "Enrichissez-vous," remains a succinct and controversial summary of his political philosophy.

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