FRENCH LESSONS: Poisson d’Avril
Today’s French Lesson is technically a day late, as yesterday was officially le poisson d’avril [the fish of April], or April Fool’s Day. According to this article, the holiday of pranks may have even started in France. I saw some really clever internet jokes yesterday, but I have to say that commenters were a bit of the party-pooper variety. It’s far more fun falling for it, even if it’s short lived. Stay tuned tomorrow – I’ll share my favorite April Fish!
French Lessons is an ongoing series where I teach you French words and cultural lessons while beefing up my Illustrator skills.
FRENCH LESSONS: gueule de bois
One of my favorite French past times is the way they translate titles of American movies into “French.” For instance, The Hangover (U.S. version) came to France and was given the translation of Very Bad Trip. Yes, they translated the title into another English title. Not that every movie title needs a direct translation, but I thought “hangover” or [avoir la] gueule du bois would make a fun French Lesson. Literally mouth of wood, gueule is slang for “face” or the mouth of an animal, while bois translates to wood
Speaking of wood, toucher du bois is a good phrase to know!
French Lessons is an ongoing series where I teach you French words and cultural lessons while beefing up my Illustrator skills.
FRENCH LESSONS: Le But
Every week on the way to my French accounting classes I pass a home goods store called “But City” [see photo below] and I chuckle each time I pass it (same is true for the café called Le But). Now this is just me being an immature American, but when naming any business in this global world you need to consider translations. It’s just unfortunate that le but in French (you don’t pronounce the “t”), translates to “goal,” something positive and a bit more serious than “but” which translates to mais, or the other “butt” (which is derrière, en français). For instance I can say, le but pour mon cours des cartes était 500 étudiants, mais j’ai 700+! (The goal was to have 500 students in my map class, but I have 700+!). It can also be used as a reference in sports. You can see my first le football experience here. Note too, that goal you see in my illustration is also referred to as le cage.
French Lessons is an ongoing series where I teach you French words and cultural lessons while beefing up my Illustrator skills.
FRENCH LESSONS: tomber dans les pommes
For a long time I’ve questioned how the French survive without drinking much water. It still remains a mystery to me, and part of me thinks it must be genetic. I’m just a naturally thirsty American, and staying hydrated is how I beat fatigue (and jetlag). At the pool I’m almost always the only one with a water bottle, and if I know I’m going to a brunch at French friend’s place I always pre-hydrate because water is just not part of the culture. The other day I was in an accounting class and it was so hot. I – the only person with a water bottle – almost tombé dans les pommes [fall in the apples = to faint]. While learning accounting en français is a reason to faint, really this time it was the heat. And for the life of me I couldn’t figure out how everyone else was wearing sweaters and not dying of heat/thirst too.
p.s. Thanks for all who have signed up for my map making class! It’s such an honor to have so many familiar faces from the web joining in the fun. YAY!
French Lessons is an ongoing series where I teach you French words and cultural lessons while beefing up my Illustrator skills.
French Lessons: Quand les Poules Auront des Dents
It’s not everyday I get the chance to draw a chicken with teeth. Then again, living in France is not your typical everyday experience. There are many days when I feel like I have seen chickens [les poules] with teeth [les dents] after I’ve finally completed a bureaucratic challenge. Miracles do happen. In English we either say “when hell freezes over” or “when pigs fly.” Still, there is a certain je ne sais quoi when it comes to chickens, non?
P.S. Speaking of chickens, I bought eggs at this market stand this morning. Have you tried Vine yet? I’m listed as Anne Ditmeyer. It’s fun with sound too – captured some happy happenstance!
P.S.S. Yep, you can still sign up for my map making class!
French Lessons is an ongoing series where I teach you French words and cultural lessons while beefing up my Illustrator skills.
FRENCH LESSONS: une planche
There are not many words in any language that can apply to the swimming pool + food at the same time, but in French, anything is possible! The day that I discovered that a kickboard and a meat/cheese plate served on a board both go by une planche, I had to smile. I suppose it’s one of those cases where the two wouldn’t get confused too easily. I just know I for one would be highly amused to see some saucisson [sausage] + fromage [cheese] served on a kickboard!
For more of my Paris swimming pool tales click here + here! Speaking of la piscine you should also be aware of le pediluve + un bronzage cycliste.
French Lessons is an ongoing series where I teach you French words and cultural lessons while beefing up my Illustrator skills.
FRENCH LESSON: Un Ange Qui Passe
There’s a wonderful French saying for the moment when a conversation naturally halts. Christmas / Chanukah / Thanksgiving / Birthday / dinner (or anytime) there is great festivity, and then you take a pause and realize there is no one talking. Someone points out, “C’est un ange qui passe” and everyone agrees, as they smile at the idea of an angel (un ange) passing above.
