Saturday, 2 April 2011
Monday, 21 March 2011
20 Mars: Journée Internationale de la Francophonie/ 20th March: International Francophonie Day
Half a billion Francophones around the world have celebrated International Day of Francophonie on 20 March. This celebration was founded by the International Organization of La Francophonie and began in 1998 as a way for the then 49 members of La Francophonie to celebrate their common bond, the French language, as well as their diversity. Now the Organization of La Francophonie counts 68 members (13 of them are obsever countries).Each year on the same date (20th March) this event links 200 millions of French-speakers around the world and puts together 870 millions of Francophones.
I know that lot of you at Haggerston School are francophone because your parents who come from Congo, France, Ivory Coast, Guinea... speak french at home or because you were born in one of those countries.
Here are a map and the flags of the members of la Francophonie.
Here is a video of Nzongo Soul, congolese singer:
NZONGO SOUL, from Congo-Brazzaville, has become famous for his musical style summorized by a single word:”WALLA” which symbolises purification for the Koongo people and etymologically means “listening to the path”.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Expressions et mots français employés en anglais/French words or expressions used in English
Over the years, the English language has borrowed a great number of French words and expressions. Some of this vocabulary has been so completely absorbed by English that you might not realize its origins (mayonnaise, touché...). Other words and expressions have retained their "Frenchness" (a certain je ne sais quoi ) which you tend to be much more aware of.
Here is a list of common french words or expressions that you use in English:
C'est la vie: Same meaning and usage in English and in French
Cliché: expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, rendering it a stereotype
Cul de sac: Dead-end street
Déjà vu: This is a grammatical structure in French, as in "Je l'ai déjà vu"=> I've already seen it. It can also disparage a style or technique that has already been done, as in "Son style est déjà vu" => His style is not original.
In English, déjà vu refers to the scientific phenomenon of feeling like you have already seen or done something when you're sure that you haven't.
Je ne sais quoi: Used to indicate a "certain something," as in "I really like Ann. She has a certain je ne sais quoi that I find very appealing."
Joie de vivre: The quality in people who live life to the fullest
Laissez-faire: A policy of non-interference
Pot pourri: A scented mixture of dried flowers and spices; a miscellaneous group or collection
Raison d'être: Purpose, justification for existing
Rendez-vous: In French, this refers to a date or an appointment (literally, it is the verb se rendre - to go - in the imperative); in English we can use it as a noun or a verb (let's rendez-vous at 8pm).
RSVP: This abbreviation stands for Répondez, s'il vous plaît, which means that "Please RSVP" is redundant.
Touché: Originally used in fencing, now equivalent to "you got me."
A lot of french words and expressions are used in English in areas where France is known for being good at: food and fashion.
Here is a list of common french words or expressions that you use in English:
C'est la vie: Same meaning and usage in English and in French
Cliché: expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, rendering it a stereotype
Cul de sac: Dead-end street
Déjà vu: This is a grammatical structure in French, as in "Je l'ai déjà vu"=> I've already seen it. It can also disparage a style or technique that has already been done, as in "Son style est déjà vu" => His style is not original.
In English, déjà vu refers to the scientific phenomenon of feeling like you have already seen or done something when you're sure that you haven't.
Fiancé(e): engaged person, betrothed
Je ne sais quoi: Used to indicate a "certain something," as in "I really like Ann. She has a certain je ne sais quoi that I find very appealing."
Joie de vivre: The quality in people who live life to the fullest
Laissez-faire: A policy of non-interference
Pot pourri: A scented mixture of dried flowers and spices; a miscellaneous group or collection
Raison d'être: Purpose, justification for existing
Rendez-vous: In French, this refers to a date or an appointment (literally, it is the verb se rendre - to go - in the imperative); in English we can use it as a noun or a verb (let's rendez-vous at 8pm).
RSVP: This abbreviation stands for Répondez, s'il vous plaît, which means that "Please RSVP" is redundant.
Touché: Originally used in fencing, now equivalent to "you got me."
A lot of french words and expressions are used in English in areas where France is known for being good at: food and fashion.
Food related: Bon appétit! Champagne Cordon bleu: Master chef Crème brûlée: Baked custard with carmelized crust Crème fraîche (fresh cream) Croissant Entrée Filet mignon Mayonnaise Pâté Soufflé Sous chef | Fashion related: Art nouveau : Characterized by flowers, leaves, and flowing lines Avant-garde: Innovative, especially in the arts Brunette: The French word brun, dark-haired, is what English really means by "brunette." The -ette suffix indicates that the subject is small and female. Chic Démodé: outmoded, out of fashion Dernier cri: The newest fashion or trend Haute couture: High-class, fancy (and expensive) clothes |
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