Archive for November, 2009
French Vocabulary – The Senses Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 30, 2009
I’m a big fan of trying to learn groups of words (nouns with the corresponding adjective, adverb, etc.) all at once to improve foreign language vocabulary rather than learning a single word here and there. The association involved really works for me when trying to recall vocabulary. So, I’m going to provide you with…
French Grammar – Definite Articles Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 27, 2009
L’argent ne fait pas le bonheur. (Money doesn’t bring happiness) I came across this saying today and it led me to thinking about how articles and more specifically in this case, definite articles, can be tricky as they are not always used in the same ways in French and English. Just by comparing the French…
French Proverbs – Creole Language Answers Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 24, 2009
If you read my post the other day on La Reunion, below you will find the English explanations matched up to the proverbs in Creole and in French. If you did not read it, I recommend reading it first! 1. Couler la peau la pas couler lo ker. (La couleur de la peau n’est pas…
French Music – Grégory Lemarchal Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 21, 2009
As I was checking out the French Amazon site and the top sellers in the CD category, I found it interesting that the top selling CD for the last two months is an Italian singer and the highest-ranking French singer is Grégory Lemarchal, currently at number 7 with Rêves. To tell you the truth, I…
French Food – Fondue Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 18, 2009
Ever since I had a delicious albeit overpriced fondue with a close friend in Le Quartier Latin eleven years ago in Paris, I have been in love with fondues and my fondue pot. So, I thought I’d share a recipe for Fondue aux trois fromages: Ingrédients 200 g de gruyère 200 g de fromage à raclette…
French Literature – Madame Bovary Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 15, 2009
I was basically introduced to French literature during my third year in college which I spent in Paris studying the Cours de Civilisation Française offered at the Sorbonne through Central College Abroad. Although it felt like I was never going to get it in the beginning, with help from the teachers at the Sorbonne and…
French Vocabulary – The Months of the Year Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 12, 2009
Here’s a little chant/song called Janvier, Février to help you learn the months in French. The lyrics were written by Anny Versini and Jean-Marc Versini, who also sang them on the children’s song album Les Comptines de la Marmotte – Vol. 2 Une Souris Rose. Janvier, février, Mars, avril, Mai, juin, Juillet, août, Septembre, octobre…