Where and when she would attend classes remained a secret after Ms. Ashton, who is British, disclosed that she would not take up a French government offer to study at a chateau in the south of France.
The flurry of interest in Ms. Ashton’s battle with the language of Molière reflects the continuing sensitivity of French officials about the role of their language. Though Ms. Ashton understands French, she is not fluent and speaks with a strong accent.
