The news was first reported by British newspaper The Times and confirmed by French outlet France 24. Beyoncé will appear in the 2024 edition of the Petit Larousse Illustré, a prestigious French-language encyclopedia that is updated annually with new words and prominent figures that reflect developments in the francophone world.

Beyoncé’s Musical Legacy

In the dictionary, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is defined simply as “American singer of R&B and pop.” This brief description hardly does justice to her monumental career of over 20 years. As a solo artist and former member of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé has become one of the world’s best-selling musicians ever.

Her innovative albums and songs have blended elements of R&B, pop, hip hop, soul and other genres. Over her career, she has won 28 Grammy Awards for her music, making her the most awarded singer in the history of the prestigious awards. Beyond record sales, her performances and music videos have made her one of the most influential entertainers of her era.

Why Beyoncé Matters in France

While Beyoncé was born and raised in Houston and has had enormous success in the English-speaking world, her cultural impact transcends languages. According to Carine Girac-Marinier, the head of dictionaries and encyclopedias at Larousse, Beyoncé represents “excellence and promotion of French culture” – important criteria for inclusion.

As one of the world’s greatest living entertainers, Beyoncé’s music and artistry have permeated French-language popular culture. Her songs and albums continue to top charts in France and other francophone countries. She has also embraced the culture, shooting her video for hit song “Apesh*t” at the Louvre museum in Paris.

Beyoncé has performed multiple concert tours across France to rapturous receptions from French fans. Her 2018 performance at Coachella – dubbed Beychella – was widely praised in French media as being one of the great festival shows of all time.

Alongside Musicians and Directors

Beyoncé joins a select group of cultural figures and celebrities chosen for the 2024 Petit Larousse Illustré. Other entertainers include actress Cate Blanchett and NBA superstar LeBron James. Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, famous for films like Inception and Tenet, is also among the new entries.

These additions reflect Larousse’s goal of representing significant contributors across the arts, sports and public life. By recognizing Beyoncé’s talents as a musician and performer, the dictionary editors acknowledge her cultural influence across the French-speaking diaspora.

The Importance of Her Name

Unlike many singular names, Beyoncé’s is more than just a stage name – it reflects her family history. Her first name was originally spelled “Beyincé”, adopted from her mother’s maiden name. Her mother, Tina Knowles, explained that the unusual spelling was the result of a mistake on her own birth certificate that her parents were unable to correct at the time due to racial discrimination.

By embracing the unique spelling, Beyoncé has honored her family’s past while making the name distinctly her own. As she once expressed during an interview, “I’ve won a lot of awards as Beyoncé that I probably wouldn’t have won as Beyince, or any other spelling.”

Her upcoming inclusion in France’s most important dictionary signals that Beyoncé, in all her excellence, has carved out a permanent place for herself within the cultural landscape. She has transcended genres, languages and media to become simply – and spectacularly – Beyoncé. I sincerely hope you like reading this “What Definition Beyoncé Got in France?” article.

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