Archive for November, 2016
RIP Leonard Cohen. Listen to a Song He Recorded in French! Posted by Josh Dougherty on Nov 17, 2016
We’ve lost a lot of wonderful singers this year. We’ve said goodbye to Natalie Cole, Otis Clay, Signe Anderson, Frank Sinatra Jr., Prince, and David Bowie, among others. Earlier this month, the legendary Leonard Cohen passed away at the age of 82 in his home in Los Angeles. Cohen was a soft rock singer known…
Baby It’s Cold Outside – Turning On The Heat In France Posted by John Bauer on Nov 16, 2016
It seems like just yesterday I was waking up to la canicule, but with the changing seasons and clocks falling back, it’s really starting to get cold. I already have to turn on le chauffage (the heater, the heating) and find mes vêtements d’hiver (my winter clothes)! After spending months next to le ventilateur (the…
Bons baisers d’Amqui!* Posted by Tim Hildreth on Nov 15, 2016
Je vous écris cette semaine de chez ma tante Rose. (I’m writing to you this week from my Aunt Rose’s) After last week, it seemed like a little escape to Canada was in order. Have no fear though, by the time you read this, I’ll actually already be back in the US. Tante Rose est…
French Music: Olivia Ruiz Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Nov 15, 2016
In France in 2006, two songs that were constantly on the airwaves came from the album La Femme chocolat by Olivia Ruiz: “J’traine des pieds” and “La Femme chocolat.” I liked them for their musicality and the unique timbre of Ruiz’s voice. You can listen to both songs below: In 2007, Olivia Ruiz won Female Artist…
Going To Le Dentiste In French Posted by John Bauer on Nov 9, 2016
Knowing who to call in an emergency and when and where pharmacies are open is important to know. Outside of les urgences (emergencies), talking to les médecins et les dentistes (doctors and dentists) can be difficult, especially in another language. Figuring out how to describe what’s wrong and answering all the questions le médecin ou…
A little song and dance . . . Posted by Tim Hildreth on Nov 8, 2016
Musicals are most commonly associated with Broadway and London’s West End, but France has produced it’s share of musicals too. Some of them like Les Misérables have known long-term success around the world, while others are more obscure. And while in the last 20 years France has seen a growing success at home and abroad…
French Presidential Election Vocabulary Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Nov 7, 2016
Ah, the beginning of November is upon us … the season of spectacular foliage, chilling temperatures, and … particularly divisive elections. As tomorrow, Tuesday, November 8, is the day Americans go to the polls to choose their next president, let’s go over some French election terms (no pun intended!). Le président de la République française is…