Parlez-vous français?

French dressing? French manicure? French fries? French kiss?

What is it with the use of the word “French” to qualify things commonly used in the American/English language?

Let's start with French manicure: French women call it the American manicure and in fact, it is not as common overseas as it is here in the States. In addition, French women are not as much into perfect nails as American women are. Usually, I avoid making generalizations about people and behaviors because most often it leads to stereotypes and assumptions but in this case, I believe that I am safe.

For those who don't know what a French or American manicure is: voilà!

                                                                                   

 

Moving to French dressing: again, there’s nothing really “French” about French dressing: it’s a sweetened tomato-based dressing invented in America in the 1930s. It simply does not exist in France! The actual French dressing is called la vinaigrette: a mixture or rather an emulsion of oil and vinegar often flavored with herbs, spices or other ingredients such as mustard, lemon juice, honey ...

Le mot du jour: la vinaigrette.

                                                                                                  

        And what about French fries?

It is not unusual for food dishes to have several stories explaining their real origins. In the case of French fries, history tells us that Belgium is considered the country of origin. Around the second half of the 19^th century, poor people fried potatoes (cut lengthwise to look like fish) during the winter when they couldn’t fish in frozen rivers.

Then, why “French” fries? It is been said that during the 1^st world war, British and American soldiers going through Belgium ate the fries and called them French fries because French was the official language of the Belgium army at the time. Of course, you will find other explanations but this is the one I am sticking with. One more thing, Belgians eat fries with ketchup as well as mayonnaise (most often sweet).

                                                                                                                         
           

2^ème mot du jour: les frites, French for fries also called pommes frites (specially in Germany) and even pommes de terre frites. A pomme de terre, literally translated the “apple of the earth”, is simply a potato.            

Finally, why the French kiss? Are the French really responsible for the existence of what is a French kiss? In France, we simply refer to this type of kiss as a kiss with the tongue: pretty disappointing, isn’t it? I will not provide a picture of a French kiss and rather leave it to your imagination…

I could continue with the French toast, the French puddle, the French window … but now I will turn to you: Why the need to attach the word “French”

Les toits de Paris et la tour Eiffel

Day or night, rain or shine, I just cannot grow weary of the view of the roofs of Paris with the Eiffel tower standing above all.

This past summer, I had the chance to visit a dear friend of mine who lives in Paris in a really tiny but perfect condominiun. It is on the top floor (10th) with a beautiful small private terrace (above) where we had dinner in front of this beautiful panorama. At 8pm the show starts: la tour Eiffel is lighted and at the top of every hour, until midnight, the lights twinkle for a few minutes. C'est vraiment superbe and it makes you dream...

THIS IS PARIS! This is why everyone wants to come to Paris at least once in his/her lifetime to enjoy La ville des lumières. I have to admit that I have some biais but you must know that I love the skyline of Chicago where I lived downtown for two years.

Last picture: the view from the tiny bathroom when you get out the shower; not bad when you get ready for work in the morning!

Now,  did I tease you enough so you will book you trip to Paris? Let us know!

 

French people on strike ... again!

 For centuries French people have build a reputation which rests on good and not so good aspects of their culture. Today, let’s not talk about French art, French food, or French fashion but rather, let’s talk about French people on strike. Yes, early this week la France was again mentioned in the world news because of a large percentage of French people were on strike and marched in the streets on their cities. It has somewhat become a habit to hear about the French being on strike.

 Being on strike is not just about not working, but for many, it is also about marching, chanting, being loud, as well as socializing and even having some fun. Just see for yourself…

 

 

 

So, viewed from this side of the Atlantic, what is your take on French people being on strike?

Honestly, being a French person living in the US, I am used to, by now, to the usual comments when the French are on strike and that’s okay. I guess, this is one of these things where you need to be part of the culture to understand people’s behavior.

 L’expression du jour: faire la grève

 

My very first posting! What is this blog about?

Bonjour chers lecteurs et lectrices,

Without pretense, I decided today to join the community of bloggers. I strongly believe that I have a lot to share about the French language and everything linked to speaking and learning French. Of course, a language cannot be discussed in isolation because it is directly connected to the people speaking the language; it is embedded in their culture and their everyday life.

With every new posting I will have le mot du jour or the word of the day. I intend to present and deliver different forms of postings depending on my inspiration, my frame of mind, the time I will have available, as well as suggestions by others (which are very welcome). My objective here is to illustrate that the French language is still very much alive. The mots du jour will give me a chance to address a wide selection of topics and things.

One more disclaimer: as I am trying to reach non-French speakers, I am writing in English and you will quickly recognize that this is not my native language so, bear with my very own writing style. However, I will use French words and expressions on a regular basis as I am trying to disseminate the French language. Don’t worry, there are no pop quizzes!

For starters, do you know in how many countries French is commonly spoken? How many people speak French around the world?

About 200 million people around the world speak French (as their native or second language or as the official language of their country); about 70 different countries and/or governments form la Francophonie or le monde de la Francophonie.  French-speaking people who live in these countries are called Francophones, not to be confused with francophiles (persons who admire France, its people or/and its culture). 

Le mot du jour: la Francophonie

Here is a map to give you an idea of the francophone community

More info on the subject:

http://www.frontenac-ameriques.org/la-francophonie-en-amerique/article/qu-est-ce-que-la-francophonie

http://www.answers.com/topic/francophony