Archive for August, 2017
French Music From Colombia: Monsieur Periné Posted by John Bauer on Aug 16, 2017
La langue française can be heard around the world with la Francophonie extending to les quartes coins du monde (the four corners of the world). This allows for some unique music that comes from les pays francophones (French speaking countries) outside of France: Jacques Brel, Stromae, Bernard Adamus, and Chantal Archambault to name a few…
A modern family Posted by Tim Hildreth on Aug 15, 2017
In just a few days, I’ll be leaving for a family vacation in France. We’re going to visit Paris then head to la Bretagne (the Brittany region) where we will celebrate le mariage (the wedding) of my . . . well, it’s complicated! Un peu d’histoire* / A little background When I was 16, I…
Can You Pronounce These 10 Difficult French Words? Posted by Josh Dougherty on Aug 13, 2017
Last week, we shared a photo on Facebook listing the 10 hardest French words to pronounce. “Hardest” can definitely change from speaker to speaker, but I can attest that some of these words have certainly thrown me off in the past. Today, we’re going to look at all 10 of these words one by…
Invested In Vêtements – Summer Clothing In French Posted by John Bauer on Aug 9, 2017
Now that it’s Août, le temps (the weather) is getting cooler, but la chaleur d’été (the summer heat) can still be felt en France. Making it through la canicule means more than making sure you have un parapluie (an umbrella), en fait (in fact) I have un placard (a closet) full of les vêtements d’été…
Describing people in French, Part 2 Posted by Tim Hildreth on Aug 8, 2017
A few weeks ago we looked at some common expressions for describing people. This week, I’ll expand a bit on that lesson and share another of my favorite French songs that – while maybe it doesn’t perfectly illustrate the concepts – is definitely related to the topic! First, the lesson! Earlier we looked at how…
Les Papillons Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Aug 7, 2017
I’ve recently had a loss. When someone you love dies, it is easy to see (or want to see) signs around you that show your loved one is still with you. There can be many signs that are specific to your culture. For example, in American culture, seeing a red cardinal is often interpreted as…
RIP Jeanne Moreau – Come Hear Her Most Famous Song! Posted by Josh Dougherty on Aug 4, 2017
On Monday, director, screenwriter, actress, and singer Jeanne Moreau passed away at the age of 89. Jeanne was best known for her portrayal of Catherine in François Truffaut’s 1962 New Wave masterpiece Jules et Jim. The plot focuses around 2 friends with opposite personalities who share the same passion for art, literature, and women. Unsurprisingly…