Author Archives: Susan

Immediate reactions from Paris

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Susan

Michèle nous envoie ses réactions aux attaques contre sa ville. Susan, c’est une bonne idée de faire le relais au dessus de l’Atlantique. Il y a eu, pour moi et pour beaucoup d’entre nous, une nuit entière passée à regarder … Continue reading →

Posted in News from France, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My Paris friends react to the horror

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Susan

My friends in Paris have all been touched by the horror in their city. Here are some of their reactions the day after the attacks: ====== Merci infiniment, Susan. Tes pensées font du bien. C’est l’horreur absolue, nous étions dehors … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives, French culture, French-American politics, News from France | Tagged , | Leave a comment

C’est une horreur!

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Susan

It took 30 minutes for 7 terrorists to change life in Paris.  We felt it around the world, as the blue, white and red lights on our buildings and monuments showed. And many of us know it could hit us … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives, French culture, French-American relations, News from France | Tagged | Leave a comment

Beautiful or untranslate-able words

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Susan

Our friend, Stéphanie, thought of our blog when she saw this article on French words that resonate with learners. I see why! Her favorite is ‘ronronner,’ which is very onomatopoetic. You can just hear the cat purring. Still, I would … Continue reading →

Posted in French versus English, Language Tips, Reasons to learn French, Stephanie, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Is French culture gone?

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Susan

This attack on the French intelligentsia seems reasonable and intelligent but some points could use evidence. Is there no answer to these criticisms?  http://www.politico.eu/article/decline-of-french-intellectual-culture-literature-art-philosophy-history/ I wonder if the author didn’t start going wrong in his declaration about Sartre. Yes, he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Only in France ! | Leave a comment

Adventures of living in France. Can we become bilingual? Part II

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Susan

Stephanie C. has written us before and now adds some of her own French-learning adventures. When she took lessons from me, she was a single American, working in Boston. Now, she’s living in France, married to a French man and … Continue reading →

Posted in Language Tips, Stephanie, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Adventures of living in France. Can we become bilingual? Part I

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Susan

Learning – or slowly acquiring – a new language is a miracle. Some of us have been studying it in books and in life, by teaching language as well as studying one, and still don’t know how it “happens.” I … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston French classes, French culture, Language Tips, Reasons to learn French | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

RESENTMENT –> APPRECIATION ON THALYS

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Susan

Did all us Americans feel pride when the three American heroes helped save hundreds of lives on the Thalys train in France? I certainly did! I think it was because the French have so often been critical of American behavior. From … Continue reading →

Posted in French-American relations, Légion d'honneur, News from France | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

THE SUBLIME SELLING THE RIDICULOUS?

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Susan

Two French classic songs are being used in American TV ads to sell American products. Edith Piaf belts out her famous “Non, je ne regrette rien” to sell Cadillac cars and Jeanne Moreau sweetly sings “Le Tourbillon,” the song she … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives, Reasons to learn French? | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The French Show Their Feelings

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Susan

  The French left signs of their feelings along the march today. A gifted graphic artist must have created the second one because it really conveys the emotion evoked by the killing of the Charlie-Hebdo artists and protectors. And below … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives, French culture, News from France | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment