Hello faithful readers–and a warm bonjour to those who have recently signed up to this free word journal. This blog usually goes out three times a week, but we are on a new schedule since the arrival of my mom. For the past three weeks Mom and I have been digging in the garden, enjoying walks by the seaside… braiding wild rosemary through our hair… and making plans for the future–while reminding each other to "be here now" in the present moment, or l'ici et maintenant. (Photos at the end of this post.)
Provence Villa Rental Luberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool. Views of Roussillon. Click here.
Keeping, now, to the theme of this blog–language learning–today's update is to tell you about a wonderful new educational tool brought to you by my friend Lynn, who has written today's column, below. Lynn McBride of the Southern Fried French blog has a new eBook out this week: How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain (at Amazon.com, and available at other Amazon sites). It’s a short eBook for students of any language who want an update on the best techniques for learning, plus reviews of the latest online or traditional resources, and tips from and teachers and other students. Lynn would like to invite all French-Word-A-Day readers to join the virtual book release party over at Southern Fried French - just after you read her How to Chit-Chat in French tips, below….
France and Monaco Rentals: short-term holiday rental properties throughout France and Monaco. Photos here.
We expats know a lot about that. Take, for example, my British friend Pete who meant to ask at the hardware store for 10 meters of chêne (oak), but instead asked for 10 meters of chien (dog). Then there was the time I needed 3 kilos of salmon for a big party (6.6 pounds) and instead asked Monsieur le poissonierfor 3 kilometres of salmon (1.6 MILES). “Madame,” he said, “just what sort of party are you having?”
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My favorite solution is one you may know about: Join the Alliance Française. They have chapters in cities all over the world, and they offer language lessons, conversation groups, and social events with native speakers. Americans can also go to to Meetup.com, where you can look for a French conversation group in your area, or easily start one. The French department at your local university is a great place to find native speaking tutors or conversation groups.
Remember when you were a kid and had a pen pal? You can now have a French pen pal, in a whole new way. Same concept, but you use Skype, Facetime, email, live chat, or the phone to bavarder. You will be both teacher and student; the French speakers want to learn English, so you alternate languages. My Language Exchange is an example of a site where you can find partners. View their photos, read their stories, and pick a partner who interests you. I’ve got many more such sites listed in my book, plus reviews of packaged programs that feature all kids of interactive learning on the internet.
The coolest idea for live talking practice is one that’s taking France and England by a storm, and I hope it will come to the states. It’s called Franglish, and it uses the “speed dating” model for language learning. Franglish events are held regularly at cafés or bars. You sit down with a French person and chat in French 7 minutes, then in English for 7 minutes, then you rotate to a new partner. What fun! If you’re traveling to Europe and want to try it, be sure to book in advance. And I hope you’ll check out my new book, which has MANY more ideas for you on learning French as an adult, from beginners on up to advanced students. Bon courage, and I hope to see you at the book release party!
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Thanks, Lynn, for this fun and helpful post on chatting in French. Reading your book How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain was a wonderful refreshment for me. After writing about French words for ten years, I sometimes experience the "shoemaker's children syndrome" wherein my own French is lacking while I'm teaching others vocabulary! I would highly recommend your book to anyone wanting to recapture the fun and excitement of language learning. Best wishes to you on this, your book launch day! –Kristin
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A favorite photo of my Mom, who I'll have the chance to spend French Mother's Day with, on Sunday!
Are you noticing a "cape" theme? That's because my Mom yearns to fly….
Uncle Jacques came over to help clear the olive orchard of its felled branches. It was a massive two-day job. After, Jacques relaxed with Mom, enjoying photos of her home and her animals in Mexico.
Mom, making friends on the beach. To leave a comment, click here.
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More than 30 years ago I stayed in a friend’s studio in Paris for a week and one day on the local open-air market I asked the vegetable seller for “deux ivrognes rouges” meaning “deux poivrons rouges”…!
There was much laughter among the other vendors when he shared my blooper.
P.S. Ivrogne is a drunkard, poivron is a (red) pebber!
More than 30 years ago I stayed in a friend’s studio in Paris for a week and one day on the local open-air market I asked the vegetable seller for “deux ivrognes rouges” meaning “deux poivrons rouges”…!
There was much laughter among the other vendors when he shared my blooper.
P.S. Ivrogne is a drunkard, poivron is a (red) pebber!
Wonderful photos. Love the one at the beach and am quite envious! I can see you are having a wonderful visit.
Wonderful photos. Love the one at the beach and am quite envious! I can see you are having a wonderful visit.
No worries about the three-a-weeks!
Enjoy your time. It sounds golden!
Bonne journee!
No worries about the three-a-weeks!
Enjoy your time. It sounds golden!
Bonne journee!
my husband and I purchased our appartamento in Italy five years ago. He asked our agente where we would purchase a bomba. He meant a bombola – the propane tank for cooking. Not even close!!! We still tell that story to friends!
my husband and I purchased our appartamento in Italy five years ago. He asked our agente where we would purchase a bomba. He meant a bombola – the propane tank for cooking. Not even close!!! We still tell that story to friends!
Lovely to see your Mom! I see where you get your beauty, Kristin!
Lovely to see your Mom! I see where you get your beauty, Kristin!
Years ago I took exchange trips between Liverpool and the Pyrenees…at the end of one trip I was attaching luggage to the roof of the mini bus assisted by my friend Loulou. He asked me where I wanted something fixed and searching for the word for “wherever” (knowing quelconque as whatever)….I invented “ouconque”. Loulou fell off the roof with laughter, but on my next visit I was surprised to find ouconque jokingly adopted in the village.
Years ago I took exchange trips between Liverpool and the Pyrenees…at the end of one trip I was attaching luggage to the roof of the mini bus assisted by my friend Loulou. He asked me where I wanted something fixed and searching for the word for “wherever” (knowing quelconque as whatever)….I invented “ouconque”. Loulou fell off the roof with laughter, but on my next visit I was surprised to find ouconque jokingly adopted in the village.
French couple visiting our town came for visit and brought their toddler daughter. I offered to find her a “bijou” to play with meaning of course “un jouet” .
French couple visiting our town came for visit and brought their toddler daughter. I offered to find her a “bijou” to play with meaning of course “un jouet” .
Lynn’s ebook sounds like what I need. Thinking my French had improved, we headed off to 18 days in the Languedoc. I tried my French several times, but as Lynn said, they responded! I couldn’t understand a word they said, until I was able to get them to slow down so I could slowly parse out their response (plus I’m not sure that they were always speaking Paris French down there in the southwest France).
Lynn’s ebook sounds like what I need. Thinking my French had improved, we headed off to 18 days in the Languedoc. I tried my French several times, but as Lynn said, they responded! I couldn’t understand a word they said, until I was able to get them to slow down so I could slowly parse out their response (plus I’m not sure that they were always speaking Paris French down there in the southwest France).
such sensitive, colorful and moving photos of your beautiful mom. thank you for sharing these sweet photos, and glimpses into your visit.
such sensitive, colorful and moving photos of your beautiful mom. thank you for sharing these sweet photos, and glimpses into your visit.
Bonne Fetes des Meres to you and Jules! You are both such role models. I enjoyed Lynn’s blog immensely and got a chuckle out of the language mistakes. It took me back to when I first arrived in France to tackle a new job decades ago. I was staying in a hotel and wasn’t crazy about the French style of pillow (long, round and hard!), so I asked one of the maids for another oreillon (mump) instead of oreiller (pillow). I’m sure she and her coworkers got a laugh at my expense!
Bonne Fetes des Meres to you and Jules! You are both such role models. I enjoyed Lynn’s blog immensely and got a chuckle out of the language mistakes. It took me back to when I first arrived in France to tackle a new job decades ago. I was staying in a hotel and wasn’t crazy about the French style of pillow (long, round and hard!), so I asked one of the maids for another oreillon (mump) instead of oreiller (pillow). I’m sure she and her coworkers got a laugh at my expense!
A Frenchman asked me if there was a lot of “chômage” in the USA. I said, “Oui, mais seulement en été quand il fait chaud.” I thought he had said “chauffage” meaning heat. “Chômage” means unemployment.
A Frenchman asked me if there was a lot of “chômage” in the USA. I said, “Oui, mais seulement en été quand il fait chaud.” I thought he had said “chauffage” meaning heat. “Chômage” means unemployment.
No matter what Jules does, it is always done with such joy and elegance. She is such a class act!!!
No matter what Jules does, it is always done with such joy and elegance. She is such a class act!!!
Beautiful pictures…So glad that you are enjoying your time together and by all means to be stingy about it. This mother-daughter time is oh so precious…
Beautiful pictures…So glad that you are enjoying your time together and by all means to be stingy about it. This mother-daughter time is oh so precious…
My sister was visiting back when I lived in France, and remarked to my neighbor that the town was the “poubelle village de France”, instead of the “plus belle village”. Poubelle is a trash can. Funniest thing was, the neighbor agreed.
My sister was visiting back when I lived in France, and remarked to my neighbor that the town was the “poubelle village de France”, instead of the “plus belle village”. Poubelle is a trash can. Funniest thing was, the neighbor agreed.
Kristin and JULES – this post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I’m sitting in Colorado, where I’ve been reuniting with my Son .. After 30 years. It’s a delicate dance and I hope to have even half the relationship you two enjoy as we move forward . For any other men who may be reading this and who also “lost” their children for one reason or another .. Please know there is hope and Never stop trying. JULES, you are a lucky woman, et Kristin I applaud your relationship with your Mother .. It is a joy to read. Rave on, Ladies, Rave on!
Kristin and JULES – this post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I’m sitting in Colorado, where I’ve been reuniting with my Son .. After 30 years. It’s a delicate dance and I hope to have even half the relationship you two enjoy as we move forward . For any other men who may be reading this and who also “lost” their children for one reason or another .. Please know there is hope and Never stop trying. JULES, you are a lucky woman, et Kristin I applaud your relationship with your Mother .. It is a joy to read. Rave on, Ladies, Rave on!
There was the time in an Italian conversation class many years ago when the verb “to iron” (stirare) completely escaped me. When in doubt invent, so since I could remember the French verb, I tried “repassare”. The conversation teacher thought it very amusing and said to me, “Qui si parla fritaliano” (Fritalian spoken here).
There was the time in an Italian conversation class many years ago when the verb “to iron” (stirare) completely escaped me. When in doubt invent, so since I could remember the French verb, I tried “repassare”. The conversation teacher thought it very amusing and said to me, “Qui si parla fritaliano” (Fritalian spoken here).
As an exchange student many years ago, I came home very eager to tell my host family that I had spent biology class doing experiments avec “les seins” (breasts) instead of “le sang” (blood). I also told my French class that Vegemite was made from “preservatives” et “lapins” – couldn’t understand why the words preservative and yeast were so funny until I got hold of a dictionary later that day and discovered my mistake!
As an exchange student many years ago, I came home very eager to tell my host family that I had spent biology class doing experiments avec “les seins” (breasts) instead of “le sang” (blood). I also told my French class that Vegemite was made from “preservatives” et “lapins” – couldn’t understand why the words preservative and yeast were so funny until I got hold of a dictionary later that day and discovered my mistake!
On day one of a six month séjour in France I walked right into this common blunder… When asked if I would like some more food, I replied “Non merci. Je suis pleine.” For those who are not familiar, this is a derogatory French idiomatic expression alluding to a pregnant animal…. “Nicole, on dirait plutôt ‘Je suis repue’ ou ‘J’ai bien mangé’.” oops!
On day one of a six month séjour in France I walked right into this common blunder… When asked if I would like some more food, I replied “Non merci. Je suis pleine.” For those who are not familiar, this is a derogatory French idiomatic expression alluding to a pregnant animal…. “Nicole, on dirait plutôt ‘Je suis repue’ ou ‘J’ai bien mangé’.” oops!
While taking classes at L’Alliance Française Chicago a few years ago, during one particular class we had to discuss what we did at work. I work for a local health department, so I was describing the interview that I had to do for patients to ellicit their partner (spouse, boyfriend, etc.) information. Well, I knew that ‘un baiser’ meant ‘a kiss’, so I decided I would be euphemistic by saying I asked my patients, “How many partners did you kiss?” My teacher turned red and started laughing. The class laughed as well, and I thought they were laughing because they knew that I was using ‘kissed’ in place of ‘had sex with’. A few months later I was out for coffee with a couple of my French class friends and one friend says, “Remember that time in French class when you talked about work and you said you asked your patients ‘How many people had they f–ked?'” I had NO IDEA that while ‘un baiser’ is a kiss, using baiser as a verb is quite vulgar!
While taking classes at L’Alliance Française Chicago a few years ago, during one particular class we had to discuss what we did at work. I work for a local health department, so I was describing the interview that I had to do for patients to ellicit their partner (spouse, boyfriend, etc.) information. Well, I knew that ‘un baiser’ meant ‘a kiss’, so I decided I would be euphemistic by saying I asked my patients, “How many partners did you kiss?” My teacher turned red and started laughing. The class laughed as well, and I thought they were laughing because they knew that I was using ‘kissed’ in place of ‘had sex with’. A few months later I was out for coffee with a couple of my French class friends and one friend says, “Remember that time in French class when you talked about work and you said you asked your patients ‘How many people had they f–ked?'” I had NO IDEA that while ‘un baiser’ is a kiss, using baiser as a verb is quite vulgar!
I was on sabbatical in France years ago and met with the director if adult education for UNESCO in Paris.
I was doing ok with my rudimentary French until I tried to communicate that I teach leadership development in context rather than in a vacuum .
You can see where this is going!
I had just walked past a vacuum cleaner storefront and remembered the word for vacuum – aspirateur- so inserted that in my sentence in the meeting. His face went blank until I realized
my faux pas and regrouped with the word vide and we continued our conversation .
A story I will Never forget; it keeps me humble.
Doug
I was on sabbatical in France years ago and met with the director if adult education for UNESCO in Paris.
I was doing ok with my rudimentary French until I tried to communicate that I teach leadership development in context rather than in a vacuum .
You can see where this is going!
I had just walked past a vacuum cleaner storefront and remembered the word for vacuum – aspirateur- so inserted that in my sentence in the meeting. His face went blank until I realized
my faux pas and regrouped with the word vide and we continued our conversation .
A story I will Never forget; it keeps me humble.
Doug
I was living in France with my husband and after a year my best place to speak French was in restaurants – I had not progressed to other people just yet. So I had practiced what I wanted to order and out came “Je suis un polet roti, s’il vous plait!” The waiter simply nodded and asked, in English, “And what would you like sir?” So while my husband said I was a hot chick, he really didn’t think I was a “roasted chicken”!! Guess I wasn’t all that good in restaurants yet either.
I was living in France with my husband and after a year my best place to speak French was in restaurants – I had not progressed to other people just yet. So I had practiced what I wanted to order and out came “Je suis un polet roti, s’il vous plait!” The waiter simply nodded and asked, in English, “And what would you like sir?” So while my husband said I was a hot chick, he really didn’t think I was a “roasted chicken”!! Guess I wasn’t all that good in restaurants yet either.
I just ordered the book for my Kindle – only $2.99! Hope is helps! It’s hot in that oven.
I just ordered the book for my Kindle – only $2.99! Hope is helps! It’s hot in that oven.
Just to wish you and your Mother, Happy Mother’s Day! This is a special and blessed time indeed with your mother! Enjoy each moment together!
Your sunny photos give hope to cold rainy Cape Cod dwellers!
Just to wish you and your Mother, Happy Mother’s Day! This is a special and blessed time indeed with your mother! Enjoy each moment together!
Your sunny photos give hope to cold rainy Cape Cod dwellers!
“Learning to actually converse is the main reason most of us study a language.”
To ACTUALLY converse is your own massive blooper……a split infinitive! How could you ??
“Learning to actually converse is the main reason most of us study a language.”
To ACTUALLY converse is your own massive blooper……a split infinitive! How could you ??
Well, Lynn, I’m heading off to download this because my French is still suffering and I head over to Burgundy in three weeks. I already have an idea for a sequel for you — how to hold a casual conversation with the average French person. With an American or Brit we can be talking about what we hate at work, or problems with our children, or anything under the sun in ten minutes. However, with the French (who keep so much close to their chests) I can’t think of what to say to have a conversation so I can practice my French.
My French faux pas — last fall I was talking with my French banker about insurance business when he and his young assistant (neither spoke much English) started laughing as I talked. I had been trying to say something about doing something when my husband and I return in June. Apparently my French is so bad I was saying something about making a drug deal. Their English was not good enough to make me understand how I got myself in that predicament.
Well, Lynn, I’m heading off to download this because my French is still suffering and I head over to Burgundy in three weeks. I already have an idea for a sequel for you — how to hold a casual conversation with the average French person. With an American or Brit we can be talking about what we hate at work, or problems with our children, or anything under the sun in ten minutes. However, with the French (who keep so much close to their chests) I can’t think of what to say to have a conversation so I can practice my French.
My French faux pas — last fall I was talking with my French banker about insurance business when he and his young assistant (neither spoke much English) started laughing as I talked. I had been trying to say something about doing something when my husband and I return in June. Apparently my French is so bad I was saying something about making a drug deal. Their English was not good enough to make me understand how I got myself in that predicament.