Archive for 'Culture'
Buying A Glass In French – Don’t Forget The Drink! Posted by John Bauer on Jan 24, 2018
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes when you speak French! Not knowing how to say simple words like mattress or shorts have put me in some strange situations, but if I had been too afraid to speak, I would never have learned les nouveaux mots (the new words) at all! Between looking at someone dans…
On Verra Bien (French Music) Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Jan 23, 2018
In French, on verra bien means “we shall see.” It’s an expression that you’ll often hear in French. For example, On verra bien comment ça va se passer. (“Well, we’ll see how it will work out.”) Or, On verra bien avec le temps. (“We shall see in due time.”) A popular French song, drawing on classic hip-hop, uses this French expression…
Buckle Up And Learn A New French Expression! Posted by John Bauer on Jan 17, 2018
Learning des nouvelles expressions (new expressions) is always a mix of confusion and fun. It’s fun finding new and creative ways to say something, but it can also be incredibly frustrating when you hear something and have no idea what it means. Even if you know every word in la phrase (the sentence), it’s easy…
French Culture – Afro-Caribbean Edition Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jan 16, 2018
Last week we looked at some of the influences that France’s former colonies had on French culture. This week we’ll continue that exploration with a song that features influences from Africa and the Caribbean. Performed by Guadeloupe zouk* artist Jocelyne Labille and Congolese singer Cheela with help from French hip hop artist Passi (born in…
French Culture – Mali Edition Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jan 9, 2018
France, like a number of European countries, once controlled large areas of land outside of continental Europe. At the height of its colonial power, France had colonies from Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, to the Caribbean and the new world, and into large parts of Africa. Many of those former colonies make up what…
French Holidays: La fête des rois – Why Is there a Bean in My Cake?? Posted by Josh Dougherty on Jan 7, 2018
We’re now a week into 2018, and that means this past weekend was the official mark to the end of the 2017 holiday season. The Eastern Orthodox in Russia celebrated Christmas on January 7th, and the day before, the French partook in one of my favorite holidays: La fête des rois (Kings Day). January…
Only An Au Revoir – Auld Lang Syne In French Posted by John Bauer on Jan 3, 2018
La Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve) may be celebrated slightly differently in France, mais (but) there’s a song associated with la fête (the holiday) that is fairly familiar to tout le monde (everyone). La chanson du réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (The New Year’s Eve song), Auld Lang Syne, is one that all anglophones know. It’s interesting…