Coming of Age means

Answer 1

Tricky, there is no exact translation in French for this expression, but it is "roman d'apprentissage" (or sometimes "roman initiatique" or "roman d'initiation") for books. A typical French classical novel ("roman") in this category is Flaubert's L'éducation sentimentale.

Applied to movies, "films d'apprentissage" is not right, "film initiatique" would fit better. But again, it's not just "coming of age" on its own. "Apprentissage" (apprenticeship) or "initiation" (without "roman" or "film") would not be correct either. Maybe "Histoire (story) initiatique" could apply to either books or movies.

But the connotation is not the same as English. "Apprentissage" or "initiation" both refer to some kind of usually soft and smooth education process, under an adult's guidance, not a traumatic family or sexual event as is sometimes the case in such English stories.

Sometimes "passage à l'âge adulte" is used, but it is very cumbersome, formal, and limited to teenagers becoming young adults. It does not include children who grow out of childhood and suddenly become more mature, but do not become adults, as is sometimes the case in coming of age stories.

I think French should use "rite de passage" (rite of passage), which has been used to describe the formal coming of age ceremonies of the early tribes. And it somehow manages to have the word "age" in it... ^-^

Answer 2

Coming of age refers to the transition from childhood to adulthood, typically characterized by gaining independence, responsibility, and self-discovery. It involves navigating challenges and experiences that shape one's identity and prepare them for the next stages of life.