pédagogique

Forms

pédagogique (plural pédagogiques)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek παιδαγωγικός (paidagōgikós, “concerning the education of children”), from παιδαγωγός (paidagōgós, “tutor of children”).^[2][3][1] Wiktionary has it pass through Latin paedagogicus.^[1] The Grand Robert and Littré derive the Greek adjective from παιδαγωγία (paidagōgía), the source of pédagogie.^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Béroalde de Verville uses it as an adjective in 1610.^[2][3][6]

Semantic evolution

The adjective first meant “concerning the education of children”, and was used as a feminine noun, la pédagogique, for the science of education from 1771.^[2] Littré says that noun came from Germany.^[5] The Grand Robert and the GLLF date the adjective only from Huet in 1702.^[4][7] Littré also records an unfavourable use, “like a pedant schoolmaster”.^[5] From 1868 it came to mean “in line with good teaching”.^[7]

It enters many phrases, such as certificat d'aptitude pédagogique and conseiller pédagogique, and has given pédagogiquement (1801) and compounds such as psychopédagogique.^[6][3]

Timeline

• 1610 – Béroalde de Verville uses pédagogique.^[2][6]
• 1702 – Huet's use, the first given by the GLLF.^[7][4]
• 1771 – La pédagogique “the science of education” in the Dictionnaire de Trévoux.^[2]
• 1801 – The adverb pédagogiquement is recorded.^[6][3]
• 1868 – Littré records the sense “suited to good teaching”.^[7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Relating to pedagogy and to the sciences of education: une méthode pédagogique.^[6][2][7]
2. Conforming to good teaching, instructive: un manuel très pédagogique.^[7][6]
3. (dated, pejorative) Like a pedant or a schoolmaster: il leur parlait d'un ton pédagogique.^[5]

Word family

• pédagogiquement

Related words

• pédagogie
• pédagogue
• pédant

Usage notes

Littré records la pédagogique as a noun for the science of education, a word he says came from German.^[5]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse