Tag: French

Molière Remembered as ‘Greatest Artist in History of French Theater’, Google Doodle Pays Tribute to French Actor and Playwright

Molière’s contribution is eternal in the sense that his work inspired future generations of comedians, in fearlessly calling out hypocrisy and making razor-sharp observations about the society and people in power. Molière Remembered as ‘Greatest Artist in History of French Theater’, Google Doodle Pays Tribute to French Actor and Playwright.

Molière is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and literature of any language. The writer’s works include comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets, and much more

Google Doodle description made a special mention of his satirical plays and wrote in tribute: “His satirical plays fearlessly lampooned human folly and blended ballet, music, and comedy into a new genre that transformed buffoonery into witty social critique.”

The reason why the doodle has been dedicated to the artist today is because on this day in 1673, Molière premiered his final play, Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid), a three-act comédie-ballet satirizing the medical profession.

“Molière starred in the title role of Argan, a severe hypochondriac who tries to convince his daughter to forsake her true love and marry his doctor’s son, so as to save on medical bills. In classic Molière fashion, the play’s dialogue pushes his characters’ vices and pretensions to the point of absurdity,” mentioned the description.

The doodle is special considering that it gives a view into Molière’s most memorable scenes from The Imaginary Invalid and other classics like School for Wives, Don Juan, and The Miser. Molière’s contribution is eternal in the sense that his work inspired future generations of comedians, in fearlessly calling out hypocrisy and making razor-sharp observations about the society and people in power.

Source: Molière Remembered as ‘Greatest Artist in History of French Theater’, Google Doodle Pays Tribute to French Actor and Playwright | LatestLY

“FOLK” by Nolwenn Leroy: “Nostalgia is what characterizes me”

Nolwenn Leroy has chosen to collect in an album all his Madeleines of Proust. These folk songs of the 70s she loves since childhood. A tribute to the French artists who inspired him, such as Nino Ferrer, Jacques Higelin or Francis Cabrel. Thirteen times that make up “Folk”.”

I like to dive back into my memories, into this music of the past, which makes it easier to face the present, which is sometimes difficult,” explains  Nolwenn Leroy  on the 19/20 stage of France 3 Paris-Ile-de-France. An assumed nostalgia, almost a trademark. “Nostalgia is what characterizes me,” she explains. Her powerful yet gentle voice pays tribute to those French songs that have rocked her younger years and still follow her.

Songs that do good

Folk, Nolwenn Leroy fell in when she was small. And as with her Brittany is never far away, she reminds that in France one of the pioneers of this musical genre is none other than Alan Stivell. This project is a bit of a continuation of his work on the album “Bretonne”. “These are songs that have the power to warm the soul and the heart, songs that do good.” Among the titles on offer, Nino Ferrer’s “La Rua Madureira”, “Diabolo-mint” by Yves Simon, “I loved you, I love you, and I will love you” by Francis Cabrel, or ” So Far Away From LA “by Nicolas Peyrac. Nolwenn Leroy will return on stage from March to discover “Folk” to the public. 

Source: “FOLK” by Nolwenn Leroy: “Nostalgia is what characterizes

 

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11 French Words You Should Know to Sound like a Fluent French Speaker – Frenchly

In honor of la rentrée, France’s return to school and also normalcy, you should make a learning goal of your own:

In honor of la rentrée, France’s return to school and also normalcy, you should make a learning goal of your own: speak French like a real French person. None of this “qu’est-ce que c’est que ça?” stuff, you’re going to say “c’est quoi?” like a normal Gaulle. Here are 11 words and phrases you absolutely need to know for speaking French without sounding like a textbook, as spoken and defined by our French Morning coworkers in the office. Refresh you mind with our lists of words from February,  March, April, May, June, July, and August, then dig in. There’s no time to learn French like la rentrée!

1. Ça fait du bien

A very French phrase, “ça fait du bien” [sa fay do bee-en] means “it feels good” or “it does you good.” It’s often used in reference to things that are good for your health / wellness / general being. For example, “ça fait du bien de faire de l’exercice” (it’s feels good to get some exercise) or “ça fait du bien de prendre les vacances” (it does you good to take some vacation).

2. Gros

An adjective meaning fat, “gros” [gro] is also a slang term for “friend.” Think of it as being the same thing as bro. Next time you see your French friend, greet him like this: “salut gros, ça va?”

3. Ah ouais?

“Ah ouais?” [ah whey] is an exclamation that basically means “really?” (in an interested way, not in an indignant way). Because “ouais” is an elongated, dramatized version of “oui,” it translates to “ah yeeees?” If a friend tells you your ex-boyfriend posted on Facebook that he’s engaged, you’ll probably say “ah ouais?” Keep in mind, if you say “ah ouuuuaaais,” dragging out the wheyyy part without raising your voice at the end, it means “yes, of course.”

4. Kiffer

An excellent French slang verb, kiffer [keef-ay] means to like or love something or someone a lot. Je kiffe les croissants de Maison Kayser (I really like Maison Kayser croissants). Maxime kiffe Shania Twain (Maxime loves Shania Twain). Il la kiffe grave (he loves her so much). You can also use it for “has a crush on.” Jessica kiffe Benjamin Pavard (Jessica has a crush on Benjamin Pavard).

5. Tu déconnes

Using the verb “déconner” [day-cone-ay] which means messing around, you can tell someone “you’re kidding” with “tu déconnes.” You can use it when you’re incredulous about something, or when you’re indignant, like “you’ve got to be kidding me.” In the popular song “Djadja” by Aya Nakamura, she tells off an acquaintance for claiming they slept together: “Putain, mais tu déconnes / c’est pas comme ça qu’on fait les choses” (Damn, but you’ve got to be kidding me / that’s now how we do things.”

6. Justement

Another one of those French words that’s ubiquitous but you don’t know what it means. “Justement” [joost-mahn] is like “exactly” or “rightly.” If your coworker is arguing that the best time to visit France is in the fall and you agree with him, you can respond, “justement, tous les touristes sont partis.” You cannot, however, say “justement” on its own as an exclamation. It has to start a sentence.

Continue reading at 11 French Words You Should Know to Sound like a Fluent French Speaker – Frenchly