France is looking at today’s strike in the UK with interest. This article from Le Monde explains how this could be the biggest strike since 1979’s ‘winter of discontent’. Here is some useful vocabulary: Fonction publique: public service Grève: strike. Faire la grève: to go on strike Douane: border control Retraite: retirement Syndicat: trade union
TV5 offers online exercises to help you practice your French using news reports from around the world.
Let’s start the week with Claude François. He was France’s mega star from the 70’s and is still very popular nowadays, particularly at weddings or village fêtes. In this classic song he’s lamenting the fact that the sun always starts shining on Mondays when we’re locked in at work. Here is some vocabulary found in the song Regarde: look Ta montre: your watch Lundi: monday Soleil: sun Une chose: a thing Jamais: never Chaque fois: every time Le ciel: the sky Beau: beautiful On travaille: we work https://youtu.be/u2gYndiOTkg
Words ending in ‘ible’. Same spelling and meaning in French as in English. accessible, admissible, audible, bible, comprehensible, convertible, credible, destructible, indestructible, deductible, flexible, horrible, impassible, imperceptible, intelligible, invisible, irresistible, irreversible, plausible, possible, impossible, reprehensible, submersible, terrible, visible. Words ending in ‘able’. Same spelling and meaning in French as in English abominable, adorable, acceptable, admirable, agreable, applicable, approchable, biodegradable, capable, cable, changeable, inter-changeable, charitable, comparable, incomparable, controlable, defendable, enviable, explicable, fable, table, honorable, imaginable, impeccable, impressionable, capable, incapable, miserable, memorable, observable, preferable, recyclable, table, vulnerable. Words ending in ‘ent’. Same spelling and meaning. Different, absent, abstinent, accent, accident, agent, apparent, ambivalent, compliment, condiment, decadent, denouement, detriment, effervescent, eloquent, element, enjambement, excrement, fluorescent, frequent.
One of French pop’s most known songwriters and singers, Georges Brassens, is a brilliant manipulator of language. Although translations and covers of his songs have been done in many countries, he is not as well known outside of the French-speaking world as Piaf or Brel, who was actually one of his best friends. But in France, his sound is immediately recognised! He created a unique style based on simple guitar melodies and texts which are each poetic masterpieces in their own right. Another unique trait: his voice. Originally from Sète in the…read more
Michel Thomas was a polyglot linguist, language teacher, and decorated war veteran. Originally from Poland, he later lived in Germany and then had to move to France to flee the nazis during the war. Picking up new languages wherever he moved to, Michel Thomas put his skills to the service of the French Resistance. He also worked as a spy for U.S. Army. After the war, Thomas emigrated to the United States, where he developed a language-teaching system known as the Michel Thomas Method. I studied this method and convinced of its quality, decided to use…read more
The Guardian reports on Nicolas Sarkozy’s luxury spendings. Apparently not even multi-millionaires have ovens installed in their private planes. So is France really that well off or is Nicolas Sarkozy off on one? ‘Planer‘ means to soar, which is what planes do and also to be highly disconnected from reality, which could be said about the French president on this occasion. Here is the French translation of the David Mitchell’s article for the Guardian and few key-words: Avion: plane Milliard: billion Milliardaire: billionaire Atterissage: landing Mitonner: simmer Monnaie: currency or change Contribuable:…read more
Let’s not legalise Injustice is the Guardian’s headline regarding the current arrests of looters in the UK. Courrier International offers a French translation of Roger Graef’s article. Here are a few key words to help you out! Riot: émeute Pillage: looting Pillard: looter Piller: to loot Loi: law Manifestions: protests Maintien de l’ordre: order keeping Pagaille: colloquial for ‘mess’ If yo need to, you also can refer to the original article.
What do you want? This song by Yelle is so fun! I like the catchy tune and self-deprecating lyrics. Especially the line which goes: ‘You have horses and ponies, let’s make children’. Here are few words of vocab to enhance your listening. Que veux-tu: what do you want? Folle: crazy Cœur: Heart Corps: Body Beau: beautiful, handsome Chaud: hot Regard: look [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAzgp7CCxMc&w=560&h=315] Chorus Que veux-tu je suis folle de toi Mon coeur ne bat plus quand je te vois Tu es beau tu es grand tu es fascinant T’as…read more
‘Goodbye kiss’ is a bitter sweet ballad by French pop/folk singer Pauline Croze. Here are some words heard throughout the song. Enjoy! Un baiser: a kiss Adieu: goodbye Quitter: to leave behind or to separate from someone Déposer: to deposit, to lay on Léger: light Un mot: a word or a short written message Lèvres: lips Goût: taste [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86vY8N6nR8M&w=420&h=315] Pauline Croze – Baiser d’Adieu J’avais déposé sur tes lèvres endormies un baiser furtif, un baiser léger Sur la table de chevet, sans un bruit Près d’une photo, j’ai laissé…read more
