Comme une Française: French People Never Say These!

Joyeux Noël! It’s easy enough to discover the translation of “Merry Christmas” in French, but as an Can you Have you ever wondered whether or not French fries are actually French? What about French manicures, or French windows? And then, of course, there’s those French-sounding expressions that have made their way into English, such as “la piece de resistance”. Would a REAL French person use them in everyday conversation? And, if not, what would they say instead? I’m setting things straight with today’s lesson. I’ll explain which of these words we actually use in France, versus which are “fake” French words that are rarely (or never) used by French people. You’ll learn which French words are making it very obvious that you’re a tourist or a non-native French speaker, and I’ll give you some new vocabulary to replace them so you can sound more authentically French! Did you learn something new in today’s lesson? Did I help you expand your French vocabulary? Let me know in the comments! Take care and stay safe.

Géraldine

Hans Zimmer & Ukrainian musicians on tour

Film music for peace: On March 11, 2022, Hans Zimmer went on tour across Europe with a large orchestra, performing music from his most popular films as well as more recent compositions. Ten musicians from the Odessa National Opera, who managed to flee to Germany from the war in Ukraine, are taking part. Originally, the film music tour was planned to include the entire Odessa Opera Orchestra. But after Russia attacked Ukraine on the morning of February 24, 2022, most of the Odessa Opera Orchestra musicians were unable to leave the country. These ten musicians were able to flee from Ukraine, passing by many European cities on their long odyssey to escape the war. They encountered a lot of support and willingness to help on their escape. Their missing Ukrainian colleagues are now being covered by fellow musicians from all over Europe who play in the concerts. This turns the tour, which was supposed to celebrate Hans Zimmer’s grand film music, into a show of solidarity with these ten Ukrainian musicians who were able to flee, and for the entire Odessa Opera Orchestra. Hans Zimmer’s music connects people across borders – a project that provides some much-needed hope.

Film music excerpts from: (00:00)

House Atreides (from the official soundtrack of Dune/2021) (01:55)

Themyscira (from the official soundtrack of Wonder Woman 1984/2020) (05:06)

Mombasa (from the official soundtrack of Inception/2010)