Category Archives: French culture

A New Translation of L’Étranger + A New View of Meursault

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Susan

Etienne R. just sent us a review by Claire Messud of a new English translation of L’Étranger. It’s big news because, as the reviewer wrote, it’s “One of the most widely read French novels of the twentieth century.” The reviewer … Continue reading →

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Part 1 of this series was: Cute stories Part 1 Stephanie writes: It’s fun to think about language, as well!!… Sometimes I don’t know what my son is saying. For example both my kids called “musique” :  zique-mou (not sure … Continue reading →

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Susan | Leave a comment

Cute Stories of an American Mommy Bringing up Two French Kids

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Susan

Stéphanie C. is writing us again. She now has two French kids, a French husband, and a French job. Fully immersed in Parisian life for several years now, she writes: “It’s fun to think about language!!… Sometimes I don’t know … Continue reading →

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Examples of Michèle L’s Sites That are Worth a Visit

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Susan

So many people asked me for examples of Michèle L.’s sites, that she sent us some URLs. 1 – Voici un site pour le tourisme à Paris, qui donne des indications classiques mais parfois des propositions moins connues : “un … Continue reading →

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More New Sites Non-Parisians Don’t See in Paris:

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Susan

Michèle M. continues to share with us the new developments in Paris that visitors don’t know about. The following two sites are for those who can spend more time there: L’étranger qui séjournerait davantage pourrait apprécier les petites novations locales … Continue reading →

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What are the subtleties of KIFFER ?

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Susan

Could a kind and well-informed French-speaking person explain the subtleties of the verb “kiffer” ?  I’ve heard it a lot and gathered it meant ‘to like,’ ‘to love’ or ‘to appreciate.’ But then I read in the daily Libération that … Continue reading →

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New French Words Reflect Society Influences

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Susan

French words now reflect changes in its society. When I started spending time there, rules were strict. Words used were those found in dictionaries. As time went on, usage seemed to relax. I don’t even know when it happened. Before … Continue reading →

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Weirdest Part of Hollande’s Sex Scandal

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Susan

The weirdest element of the Hollande scandal was finally pointed to by Anne Roumanoff, a French humorist and political satirist: the clash between the French President’s nerdy look and his rakish extra-curricular activities. Draping the French socio-political scene in a … Continue reading →

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Paris – still the city of love

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Susan

New Parisian Phenomonon covered on two sites: http://nolovelocks.com/blog/ et http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2014/04/14/non-le-pont-des-arts-ne-risque-pas-de-s-ecrouler-sous-le-poids-des-cadenas-d-amour_997189 Incroyable !  Je suis d’accord avec ce commentaire-ci: Un amour trop grand est lourd à porter ! You wonder how many of these oaths to eternal love are already history. … Continue reading →

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The French of Henri, the Existential Cat

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Susan

Friends keep sending Henri to me, thinking he’ll make this cat-loving French teacher happy.  But he drives me nuts.  Why doesn’t he explain why his French is so lousy and his pronunciation worse? Is he ashamed that he only moved … Continue reading →

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