ADANSON Charles-Louis Reglement concernant les jeunes-de-langues et élèves Drogmans. Décembre 1833. Projet modifié, copie.

In the diplomatic terminology of the Ottoman Empire, interpreters were referred to as drogman, dragoman and truchement, which derive from the Turkish term terjüman, a word of Aramaic origin that had long existed in Arabic in the form of targuman. This term, like many oriental words, had several meanings in Islamic texts. Firstly, it meant a translator or interpreter in the strict sense of the term; secondly, it referred to an explainer of Arabic terms whose meaning was obscure to people with little knowledge of the subtleties of the language; the third meaning corresponded to the term mediator or intermediary understood in a very broad sense, which could mean, in modern times, an expert in oriental languages and civilisations.

Language students or drogmans (interpreters) were taught oriental languages and were subject to strict discipline at the Collège Louis-le-Grand in Paris. Jean-Baptiste Adanson was a pupil there in the 18th century, and his son Charles-Louis Adanson (1767-1840) followed the same career as his father. This is his copy of the rules, with the changes in red ink and corrections and additions in his own hand.

The school regulations were amended in 1833 in the interests of oriental studies (the possession of Algiers gave them a new degree of importance). Pupils were required to follow the normal college courses as well as Oriental languages (Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Greek, etc.), law and an introduction to the laws of Muslim countries where they would be called upon to defend the interests of their homeland and fellow citizens. After a few years, they were sent to Aleppo, Smyrna or Constantinople to the consul to perfect their knowledge of the language, calligraphy and customs of the country. The consul was required to report on their conduct, with the possibility of sending them back to France.

A very interesting document on the discipline of the drogmans, who assisted the ambassadors and thus had a very great influence on all diplomatic relations with the Middle East.

Fine condition, in a fine, legible handwriting.