IN a brief lull between blocking ports and motorways, the querulous French this week hauled international cosmetic retailer Body Shop before a legal tribunal, charging that some of its fragrant products are also fragrantly English. The latest crossChannel assault is in defence of the purity of the French language and is also intended to put down a cultural marker for other importers to respect French linguistic sensitivity. Body Shop is solemnly charged with sending strange foreign products for the Parisennes' bathroom and bedroom without a full explanation in French of their use.

The case has been bought by two language pressure groups, incensed at the erosion of the French language by such unwelcome English invaders as "le shopping", "le weekend " and "le hamburger". The action, under the new Law Toubon, requires the French language to have primary place on product lab citing and not merely relegated to translation of selected words. A spokesman for the company which holds the French Body Shop franchise said the PC group believes in "celebrating cultural diversity". It is moving as quickly as it can to full legal compliance. France, the witticism goes, is a wonderful country - a pity the French have to live there.