ABSTRACT
This paper illustrates the rise of French in European diplomacy by exploring the ‘linguistic turn’ and linguistic practice in Prussian diplomacy in the eighteenth century. The analysed sources are mostly from the Prussian Secret State Archives and deal with the diplomatic relations between Prussia, Austria, Sweden, and Russia. The linguistic situation in Prussian diplomacy under Frederick William I (1713–1740) was shaped by a preponderance of German. However, Frederick II (1740–1786) issued a cabinet order mandating the use of French in Prussian diplomacy except for imperial and litigation matters. The communication of the cabinet ministers with the king and diplomats also mainly occurred in French. However, the common language in the Prussian administration and army remained German.
