Quatre-vingts: Explain the origin of this number in French

Quatre-vingts: Explain the origin of this number in French In the French language, numbers can sometimes be quite perplexing for non-native speakers, and one number that often causes confusion is "quatre-vingts," which translates to "eighty" in English. Rather than simply using the number "80" like in most languages, the French have a unique method of counting from sixty to one hundred. In this article, we will explore the origin and rationale behind the use of "quatre-vingts." To understand the origins of "quatre-vingts," we need to delve into the history of the French number system. The French language was heavily influenced by Latin, which used a counting system based on increments of ten. However, the French adopted the vigesimal system, based on increments of twenty, from the Celts. Initially, the French had different ways of counting from sixty to one hundred, varying across different regions. However, during the 17th century, the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal advocated for uniformity in the language. He proposed the adoption of a single system throughout France, which ultimately led to the use of "quatre-vingts." The phrase "quatre-vingts" can be literally translated as "four twenties." It is a combination of two numbers, "quatre" meaning "four" and "vingts" meaning "twenties." This term signifies the number eighty by attributing a value of four sets of twenty. The reason behind this unusual way of expressing eighty can be traced back to the vigesimal system. In this system, the number twenty was considered a base unit, just like ten in the decimal system. The French used several multiples of twenty for ease of calculation, hence the use of "quatre-vingts" for eighty. To better understand the concept of "quatre-vingts," we can analyze a few more examples. The number seventy in French is "soixante-dix," which translates literally to "sixty-ten." Again, this is derived from the vigesimal system, indicating sixty plus ten. Similarly, ninety is expressed as "quatre-vingt-dix," meaning "four twenties and ten." It implies four sets of twenty plus ten. While these numerical expressions may sound complex, they become more intuitive with practice. For native French speakers, the use of "quatre-vingts" as opposed to simply "quatre-vingt" for eighty has become deeply ingrained in their language and culture. It is worth noting that the Belgians, Swiss, and some other French-speaking regions have adopted a different convention for expressing these numbers. In these regions, the number eighty is simply "quatre-vingt," without the "s" at the end. This difference in usage exists due to historical linguistic variations. In conclusion, "quatre-vingts" is a unique expression for the number eighty in the French language. Its origin can be traced back to the adoption of a uniform counting system by Blaise Pascal, which aimed to establish consistency throughout France. By using the vigesimal system, the French language introduced "quatre-vingts," meaning "four twenties," as a way to represent eighty. While it may seem unusual to non-native speakers, this numerical expression has become an integral part of the French linguistic heritage.