[MagnumPIG]

This is not entirely correct for French. Though there is an Académie Française in France, it doesn't directly dictate rules to other French-speaking nations and cultures.

This is because France doesn't contain the majority of French speakers in the world, and even if it did there doesn't seem to be an incentive to follow any rules they may publish.

Source: I live in Québec, we don't defer to the Académie.

[hilbert42]

Right, I know, whenever I've been in Québec I've found my poor French to be even worse!

Escaping to Ontario is my usual relief.

;-)