Author Archives: Susan

A Song that really gets it. And gives it.

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Susan

A song going viral in France captures and throws at us the feelings the murders evoked – anger at the terrorists, stubborn devotion, anyway, to freedom of expression, and Solidarity with the traumatized country. Those feelings are strengthened by its … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives, French culture, News from France | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Ruben Oppenheimer’s cartoon

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Susan

The French are going through their September 11th. Their twin towers were sharpened pencils – words, satirical drawings, thoughts – as symbolically cherished by them as our Twin Towers were to us. Violence killed them all. For us the symbol … Continue reading →

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Wolinski cartoon for Susan

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Susan

Voilà un dessin de Wolinski que l’artiste a crée pour moi en 1981.  It’s on the first page of his book Tout est politique. He remained a close friend of my friend Alain who introduced me to him back then.  … Continue reading →

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Je suis Charlie !

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Susan

Etienne sent us this declaration that we’re together against the terrorism of ideas. In 1969, a character in Marguerite Duras’ Détruire dit-elle wanted to express revolt at repression by exclaiming, “Nous sommes tous des Juifs allemands.”  Indicating less combativeness and … Continue reading →

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Nous sommes tous Charlie !

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Susan

Nous sommes tous Charlie! That’s the cry of all of us who are horrified by the ” acte d’une exceptionnelle barbarie” by seemingly professional terrorists against a daily Parisian paper that publishes a satirical take on contemporary politics around the … Continue reading →

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Paris Off the Beaten Path

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Susan

If you think you’ve ‘done’ Paris, think again. Many new sites and experiences have developed since the old nuggets. See the following article: Dipping into a French melting pot, by Farai Chideya

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Fête de Noël 2014

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Susan

Fête de Noël chez Susan We had our annual Fête de Noël last week. Present, former, and potential students and friends gathered together to chat in French, eat, drink, and sing French carols.  The rich, beautiful voices of our two … Continue reading →

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Puzzling out Quebecois from TV5

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Susan

TV5 is such a fun way to learn French! A complete novice can get the melody from listening to the language in the background. Intermediate students can follow talk-shows, cartoons, films, soap operas and cultural shows with or without subtitles. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives, French culture, French versus English, Language Tips, Reasons to learn French, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Allez comprendre cette langue !

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Susan

Nous savons tous que le français est une langue fascinante. Mais Christine nous envoie cette preuve pour les élèves avancés : 1. Le plus long palindrome de la langue française est « ressasser » On peut donc le dire dans … Continue reading →

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The latest tempest in a silly symbol

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Susan

La Sculpture américaine vandalisée, place Vendôme (via Etienne R.) The latest offense an American is perceived to have made against the French was an abstract inflatable Christmas tree, called “Tree.” Paul McCarthy, its American sculptor, created it for Fiac , … Continue reading →

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