Archive for July, 2019
French Culture Retro Pubs 4 Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jul 30, 2019
This week we’ll rap up our exploration of classic ’80’s commercials with a look at a commercial for the lessive Gama (Gama laundry detergent). After our earlier discussion about shops and shopping in France, this pub (commercial) introduces us to some of the commerçants (shopkeepers, business people) who work in France. Français English Rue Gama Gama Street Y…
A Whole New Blue World – Aladdin In French Posted by John Bauer on Jul 24, 2019
My love of the great songs from Disney only helps making learning French easier. With the recent release of Aladdin, I had a whole new world of excuses to sing loudly in French! Le saviez-vous (fun fact, litterally: did you know?) ? the first movie I ever saw au cinéma (at the movie theater) is…
French Culture – Retro Pub 3 Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jul 23, 2019
This week, another commercial from the 80’s. I like commercials because they are short, often have lots of great vocabulary, and can often be like litte stories. This commercial from Volkswagen plays with our expectations with a series of retournements (reversals) and a surprising ending. Français English Il a misé un million sur le noir ……
How Benjamin Franklin Inspired A Revolutionary Song – Celebrating Bastille Day In French Posted by John Bauer on Jul 17, 2019
With a weekend filled with fireworks and French pride, I thought it’d be fun to look into une chanson patriotique (a patriotic song) other than la Marsaillaise. L’hymne national français (the French national anthem) is known all around the world. Even if people are a little hazy on les paroles (the lyrics), the first few…
French Culture – Retro Pubs 2 Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jul 16, 2019
This week we enjoy another vintage commercial from the 1980’s. This one features (amazingly) the chanteur français (French singer) Patrick Bruel (même un très jeune Patrick Bruel / and a very young Patric Bruel, at that). Français English Moi j’ai le plan pour les vacances* I’ve got the plan for vacation Je prends le train…
Le 14 Juillet With A Song – Celebrate Bastille Day In French Posted by John Bauer on Jul 10, 2019
It’s almost time to start le défilé (the parade) and light up les feux d’artifice (fireworks)! That’s right, le 14 juillet (Bastille Day) is this weekend and all of France is set to celebrate. En tant qu’Américain (as an American), July is a fun month in France. There’s 2 big fêtes nationales (national holidays) right…
French Culture – Retro Pubs Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jul 9, 2019
When I lived in France in the 1980’s, I found popular culture, including commercials, to be a powerful way to connect with and to learn French. J’étais donc enchanté (I was therefore charmed) to stumble across this great YouTube clip (video) that features de biens bons (some great ones). Over the next few weeks, I’ll…