A2Z: Blogchatter

Bonjour: #BlogchatterA2Z is a creative way of starting something. AtoZ means filled. Here, during the A2Z, I was filled with mixed emotions. How is the audience going to view a language learning post.  Nevertheless, it was warmly welcomed. And today I write the Reflections Post.

Half the job is done as I know what alphabet the post must begin with. The second part was not very difficult. With vocabulary on my side, I did pretty well.

The A2Z brought about a pattern and it was very systematic. Keeping the linky open and attaching it from the back end helped on days that were filled with other activities. And with the March/April/May Lockdown, days were not all the same. Thoughts were different from what they were when one signed up.

The Facebook group was a great way apart from Twitter. The colourful posts below each poster of each alphabet made one feel part of a grand event.

This is my third association with Blogchatter. My Friend Alexa 2018 and 2019 being a wonderful learning experience. you can read the posts here on my Wordpress.com Website:

https://apprendre24.wordpress.com/my-friend-alexa/

#CauseAChatter is also a Blogchatter creation and it is underway this year, you can read the posts here:

https://apprendre24.wordpress.com/causeachatter/

This time however, I took it higher in terms of add-ons in the post by adding an image that I created and a small You Tube video. They are pretty simple but it took me  a while to get used to it. Hence I wrote less and tried to master these skills. Thanks to Blogchatter I came across various blogs that are doing an amazing job. Kudos to them.

Hoping to do more in the field of blogging and education.

Learn French 26: Zapper

Learning a new language is like switching channels in your head. Be sure you have good content.

Zapper means switching channels frequently.

It is a verb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrCZRsswrFg

Pierre zappe toujours.

Peter zaps channels always

La famille zappe, et enfin, decide de regarder le film "Angry Birds"

The familys switches channels and finally it decides to watch the film "Angry Birds"

Culture tip:

Le Zénith is the name given to a series of indoor arenas in France. 

The first arena, the "Zénith Paris" is a rejuvenation of the Pavillon de Paris. 

In French culture, the word "zénith" has become synonymous with "theater". 

A zénith is a theater that can accommodate concert tours, variety shows, plays, musicals and dance recitals. All zeniths carry a similar internal design of an indoor amphitheater that can seat at least 3,000 spectators.

The Zénith Paris—La Villette is an indoor arena in the 19th arrondissement in Paris. The arena was built in 1983 at the site of the former music hall, Pavillon de Paris, by architects Phillippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel. The construction of the arena was initiated by Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, to maintain the rock and roll scene to Paris.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Z%C3%A9nith

Learn French 25: Sympathique

Learning a new language is like visiting the spa. You come out refreshed.

Sympathetic

Sympathique is an adjective in French. It means nice, kind, friendly
Adjectives in french must agree with number and gender.
The word sympathique takes an s when used with a plural noun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQZtv552VZo

Les gens sont sympathiques.
The people are nice.

Mon amie est sympathique.
My friend is nice/friendly.


Culture tip:

Yves Saint-Laurent was a French fashion desingner who, in 1961, founded his famous fashion label.
Yves Saint-Laurent can be credited with both spurring the couture's rise from 1960s ashes and with finally rendering ready-to-wear (prêt-à-porter).
Saint Laurent's imprint and importance on French culture was cemented when he was appointed Grand Officer of the Legion d'honnerur by French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yves_Saint_Laurent_(designer)
https://www.biography.com/fashion-designer/yves-saint-laurent

Learn French 24: ManteauX

Learning a new language is like wearing a coat. It makes you feel different.You bring out a new person from the inside.

I picked the word des manteaux here as it is one of the words that stayed with me from my school days. I liked the way the word sounded. 

Also it is an important concept that is considered as basic French.

The real word in un manteau, the plural is des manteaux. It means a coat. 

The speciality of this word is that the plural form takes an x instead of the regular x.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPQOVNzLAwk

Similar words are:

1. gâteau                cake
2. bateau                boat
3. chapeau             hat
4. oiseau                bird
5. couteau              knife
6. rideau                curtain
7. château              castle
8. tableau               board
9. drapeau              flag
10. portemanteau     travelling case/pouch

All these words take an x in the plural form.

Culture tip:

The Flag of France is a tricolour flag featuring three vertical bands coloured blue (hoist side), white and red. Blue and red are the traditional colours of Paris, used on the city's coats of arms. The three colours have different symbolisms. The French government websites states that the white field was the colour of the King, while blue and red were the colours of Paris. The three colours are ocassionally taken to represnt the three elements of the revolutionary motto, Liberté (Freedom: Blue), égalité  (equality: white) Fraternité  (brotherhood: red).

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_France

Learn French 23: Le Week-end

Learning a new language is like going on a vacation when you look forward to a change. Gear up to change the way you think in a new language.

Le Weekend

The word Week-end has been borrowed from English.

It is used extensively in French. 

It means the Saturday and Sunday.

In some countries, Friday and Saturday is the Week-end.

However the general idea is the same.

Two day break after a five-day working week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqouft0ikak

Je fais des courses ce week-end.

I buy my groceries this week-end.

Le week-end prochain, je vais voyager.

The next week-end, I am going to travel.

Le samedi, je fais le menage  et le dimanche, je me repose.

Saturday, I do the household chores and on Sunday, I relax.

Culture tip:

The term Week-end had been adopted by several countries, and it has a universal meaning. France having a diverse geography, gives the French many a place to explore during the week-end. The French usually take short trips over the week-end to catch up with family and friends. La Randonnée  (trekking or long walks) is one of the preferred activities of the French. Traditionally almost everything was closed on Sunday. But with changing lifestyles, many businesses are open.

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-do-you-say-weekend-in-french-1369350

Learn French 22: Du Vin

Learning a new language is being like a child. you need to twirl your tongue and say words that are completely new to you. Imitation is your best weapon.

Du Vin
Wine

Du vin  

Wine is an integral part of French Cuisine. The vineyards in France are some of the oldest in the world and their beautiful landscape is a pleasure to the eye. Fruit picking, grape production is a major agricultural activity in France.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvrGZWx-EbY

Je bois du vin.
I drink some wine.

Les Français boivent beaucoup de vin.
The French drink a lot of wine.



Culture tip:

One of the oldest wines stretching back over 20 centuries are the wines from Bordeaux. The vineyards of Bordeaux are the largest fine-wine vineyards in the world. The diversity of the win-growing districts allows for the production of many types of wines such as reds, dry or sweet whites, rosés, light reds and sparkling whites. The Bordeaux vineyards include 6,000 châteaux (castles), historical villages, medieval cities, archeological sites and ancient Roman churches.

https://www.visitfrenchwine.com/en/vineyard/visit-the-bordeaux-vineyards-wine-tourism

Learn French 21:L' Université

Learning a new language is like going back to school. LSRW skills to be applied. Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

L'Université

University

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dileyAh2D0

Je vais à l'université.

I go to the university.

Les professeurs d'université sont gentils.

The University professors are kind.

The word Université is the same as in English. 

A university that is an institution of higher education and research that awards academind degrees in various disciplines.

Type out which university you are or were in. 

Culture Tip:

One of the oldest and most famous Universities in France is Univeristy os Sorbonne. Sorbonne University is a public research University in Paris France. It was founded in 1257. With 32 Nobel Prize winners, Sorbonne University has a long tradition of academic excellence. The University now merged in 2018, with Pierre et Marie-Curie along with other institutions is a sought for valuable education.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorbonne_University

Learn French 20: Théâtre

Learning a new language is like watching a play. Once you feel you are one of the characters, the play seems real.

Théâtre

French Theatre is called le théâtre. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUa0N5dbzds

J'adore le théâtre

I love watching plays.

On va regarder la piece au théâtre.

We go to watch plays at the the French Theatres.

Culture Tip:

The Comédie - Française or Théâtre  -Francais is one of th few state theatre in France. Founded in 1680, it is the oldest active theatre company in the world. The Theatre has also been known as "La Maison de Molière". In the 18th Century, the Comédie - Française was often enjoyed by the French nobility, since the price to watch theatre was expensive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Com%C3%A9die-Fran%C3%A7aise

Learn French 19: Sortir

Learning a new language is like setting out for a ride. It could be bumpy, it could be smooth sailing. Enjoy the ride and focus on the destination.

Sortir

To go out/ to leave

This is a verb and it is used very often.

It is commonly seen as SORTIE which means EXIT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvar5wHfnH0

Je sors avec mes amis.

I go out with my friends.

Le professeur dit "Sortez"    

The teacher says "Get out"/"Leave"

Culture Tip:

A fresh baked baguette, a chilled glass of wine, an elegant beret and a delicate slice of cheese, that is how you fill the perfect French stereotype. Cheese is truly a part of the French identity and you can’t leave Paris without trying a few different varieties! 

Cheese is actually so popular in France that it is a part of the meal. The French usually have some cheese in between the main course and the dessert. Along with salad or grape, it should be served at room temperature with a glass of wine or brandy. The “plateau de fromage“, the cheese board, should propose at least three variety with among them a cooked cheese, a veined cheese and a soft cheese with a rind.

https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/top-5-fun-facts-about-french-cheese/

Learn French 18: Rester

Learning a new language is like learning math. The basics are as important as the new vocabulary.

Rester

This word "rester" looks similar to the word "rest" in English but it does not mean the same.

Instead it means to remain or to stay or to stay back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqZAQ9l7qCM

Il faut rester chez soi.

It is necessary to stay at home.

Il me reste 4 oranges.

4 oranges are remaining with me.

Je vais rester à Paris pour quatre jours.

I am going to stay at Paris for four days.

Culture Tip:

French wine is famous all over the world. French Wine originated in the 6th century BC, with the colonization of Southern Gaul by Greek settlers. Viticulture soon flourished with the founding if the Greek colony of Marseille. Wine has been around for thousands of years in the countries on the Mediterranean but France has made it a part of their civilization and has considered wine-making as an art for over two thousand years. The Gauls knew how to cultivate the wine and how to prune it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_wine

Learn French 17: Quarante

Learning a new language is like a quirky question, you can answer only if you understand the question. Let's be quirky.

Quarante

The word quarante means the nunber forty (40).

Il y a quarante élèves dans la classe.
There are 40 students in a class.

Il faut rester chez vous pour quarante jours.
It is necessar to stay home for 40 days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWe1FkLLUSI

Conversation:

Marc: Il y a combien d'élèves dans la classe?

Annie: Il y a quarante élèves dans la classe.


      The words il y a and dans have been discussed in the earlier sessions.

https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-9-il-y-a.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-4-dans.html

Culture tip:

Quarante has a connect with the word quarantine. 

The word quarantine is defined as a strict isolation, originally of 40 days of detention or isolation imposed upon ships, persons, animals, or plants on arrival at a port or place, when suspected of carrying some infectious or contagious disease.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/quarantine

The words il y a and dans have been discussed in the earlier sessions.

https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-9-il-y-a.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-4-dans.html

Learn French 16: Piscine

Learning a new language is like learning a new sport. It is tough in the beginning but with practice, it gets perfect.

La piscine 

The swimming pool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dpOMo0a9R0

Je vais à la piscine.

I go to the swimming pool.

La piscine est grande.

The swimming pool is big.

Il y a une piscine près de mon école.

There is a swimming pool near my school.

Swimming is an important exercise, leisure activity and sport in France. Snchronised swimming is practiced.

Culture Tip:

The film Life of Pi, adapted from the book with the same name written by Yann Martel has an interesting reference to the word Piscine.

Pi, the protagonist, whose full name is Piscine Molitor Patel, got his name from a champion swimmer, who named him after a swimming pool in France. At school, he was called “Pissing” because Piscine sounds like that word. He then began using the nickname Pi, which recalls the number beginning with 3.14 and having no end that is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. 

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/l/life-of-pi/life-of-pi-at-a-glance

Learn French 15: Ordinateur, Oui

Learning a new language is like an orange, it can be a fruit and a colour. It opens up an array of opportunities and at the same time allows you to blend with a new culture. Let's go for it.

Ordinateur

Computer

Oui

Yes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOA2GqVEvSo

J'ai un ordinateur dans ma chambre.

I have a computer in my room.

Je joue aux jeux videos sur mon ordianteur.

I play video games on my computer.

L'ordinateur est utile? Oui, l'ordinateur est très utile.

Is the computer useful? Yes, the computer is very useful.

The computer has become a very important place in our lives. It has become a neccessity.

One can use the word portable with it.

Portable - able to carry.

l'ordinateur portable - The laptop

The second word is OUI - it means Yes.

Obviously one knows when you use it. However I have used Oui in one of the sentences.

Culture tip:

In 1955, IBM brought a new computer to France. They needed a word for the device and  IBM decided to create something new instead.

François Girard,  (the head of the advertising department) at IBM France, thought that computer was too similar to calculatrice (calculator) and wanted to find a better name for the new electronic machine intended for information processing.

In an effort to find a good french name, François Girard asked his old humanities professor, Jacques Perret, for advice.

Monsieur Perret had a suggestion based on a rare word, ordonnateur: someone who puts things in order. The word comes from le verbe ordonner, meaning to put in order, to order, to arrange, which comes from le mot latin: ordinare.

Monsieur Perret’s idea was more cumbersome than the final word: ordinatrice

électronique.

Eventually, IBM settled on ordinateur as le mot for the new product. At firstz, IBM wanted to keep the word ordinateur as a trademark, but l’ordinateur became too popular and entered the french language as a normal word.

Ordinare → Ordonner → Ordonnateur → Ordinateur

https://blogs.transparent.com/french/the-origin-of-lordinateur-computers-in-french/

Learn French 14: Ne verb pas

Learning a new language is like travelling. The journey may be long but the beauty of the destination is worth the time spent. Half way through, we go ahead with the right kinda spirit.

Ne verb pas 

The phrase ne .... verb is used in a sentence and the ... is the verb.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCHKfgVat1U

Taking sentences earlier mentioned.

Il voyage pour son loisir.

Il ne voyage pas pour son loisir.

Je suis étudiant.

Je ne suis pas etudiant

J'habite dans un appartement.

Je n'habite pas dans un appartement.

NOTE: ne turns to n' in front of a vowel

The sentences have been taken from the following blogs.

https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-5-etudiant.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-3-cafe.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-11-les-loisirs.html


Culture tip:
We shall discuss some expressions that contain the negation vocabulaire

1. Il ne faut pas se fier aux apparences. 

Literal translation: “One should not trust appearances.”

Meaning: This saying is the English equivalent of “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” or “Looks can be deceiving.” It means that you should get to know someone before you make judgments about him/her. In short, “Don’t make assumptions.”

2.  Il ne faut rien laisser au hasard. 

Literal translation: “One should leave nothing to chance.”

Meaning: Here’s another no-fuss, no-frills saying. This one means “Plan ahead.”

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/french/common-french-sayings/

Learn French 13: Marché

Learning a new language is like looking for something new. You never know what you will get.
Let's start.

Marché - Market

This is a very common word.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP7SYOD9eTQ

Je vais au marché
I go to the market.

Le marché se trouve au centre-ville.
The market is in the centre of the city.

J'achète des fruits et légumes au marché.
I buy fruits and vegetables at the market.


In France, going to the market is an important part of weekend routine.The French look forward to the Sunday market. Chef along with assistants go to the market to buy the freshest fruits and vegetables.

Culture tip:
Paris was one of the first European cites to implement a system of formal, centralized and covered market places. Les Halles, a vast centralized wholesale market, was known to be in existence at least by the 13th century. The French system of organised, designated central retail markets was extensively studied by architects in London with a view to emulating the system and ultimately eradicating the informal supply of produce via street vendors.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketplace

Learn French 12: Les Loisirs

Learning a new language is like pursuing a hobby. It keeps you happy. What's your mantra for happiness?

Loisir

Les loisirs - hobbies/leisure time

To have a hobby as simple as taking a walk is the "me time" everyone wants to have. 

Divel into your hobby and you are refreshed to get back to work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2z9q1ooplk

Mes loisirs sont la natation, la photographie et le cyclisme.

My hobbies are swimming, photography and cycling.

Il voyage pour son loisir. 

He travels for leisure.

Quels sont vos loisirs?

What are your hobbies?

The new words are:

La natation -  Swimming

La photographie - Photography

le cyclisme - Cycling

voyage - travel

Culture tip:

Sometime back cycling was the hobby that topped the list of the French. Now a statistics in 2019 showed that walking, hiking and long walks are the top leisure activities. France is a diverse country with varied landscape. The French prefer to travel within the country and explore different terrains.

With Saturdays and Sundays being weekly holidays, the French take short trips more often than before. 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1014592/main-activities-leisure-france/

Learn French 11: Klaxonner

Bonjour! Learning a new language is like watching the news. Waiting for information that may help you in someway. You never know where a new language takes you. Let's gather today!

Klaxonner - To horn

Now this is a word used less frequently unless you are talking about traffic. I chose this word because I like the way it sounds. Also they aren't many words beginning with K, the other choice was Kiosque. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4AdzzfV1IA

Vers minuit, les voitures, moins nombreuses, continuent de klaxonner sur la promenade.
Towards midnight, the cars, less in number, continue too horn on the promenade.

Défense de klaxonner
To Horn is banned

Culture tip

Facts can wait. here are some rules. One has to follow them.

1.  It is illegal to sound the car horn in a French city except in case of possible collision.

2. All passengers in a car are required by law to wear safety belts, even in the rear seat.

3. You are required by law to carry a number of items in the back of your car. These include: a self-test breathalyser kit conforming to French safety NF standards, a reflective triangle and a vest, to be used in case of breakdowns or other car emergencies.

Check out more on the link.

https://www.completefrance.com/travel/driving/14-things-you-should-know-about-french-driving-etiquette-1-5025691

French Class 10: Jardin

Learning a new language is like gardening. What you sow, so you reap. Let us sow a new word today and reap it lifelong.

Jardin - garden

Jardin means garden.

It is a masculine noun. 

Nouns in French are either masculine or feminine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwQGrxBsLUg

Il y a un jardin autour de ma maison.

There is a garden around my house.

Le jardin est beau.

The garden is beautiful.

Il ya beaucoup de fleurs dans le jardin. 

The are a many flowers in the garden.

Most of the words here have been discussed earlier.

The new words are:

autour de - around

beau - beautiful

ma - my    

The word garden instantly brings an image of colourful flowers and a vivid green surrounding.

Type in the name of your favourite garden.

Culture tip:

Monet's garden at Giverny.

Just an hour from Paris, the village of Giverny was the home of Claude Monet, and an inspiration to many of his masterpieces. Some of his most famous paintings were of his garden in Giverny, famous for its rectangular Clos Normand. Claude Monet's property became a Museum opened to public visit in 1980 after completion of large-scale restoration work. The house became a popular tourist attraction particularly in the summer when the flowers are in bloom.

https://www.france-justforyou.com/blog/10-of-the-best-gardens-in-france

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giverny

French Class 9: Il y a

Learning a new language is like waking up early and doing an extra task. Here is a new word is at your behest

Il y a - there is/there are
This phrase is used often.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjdUIYyw5e4

Il y a is a phrase.
It means there is or there are.
The words il, y, and a have individual meanings.
il - he/it
y - there
a - has
We collectively use it as a phrase here.

It also means it has been.
Here the examples discussed are w.r.t there is or there are.

Il y a un hôtel près d'ici.
There is a hotel near by/close by.

Il y a beaucoup d'étudiants dans la classe.
There are many students in the class.

Il y a un bon café au centre-ville.
There is a good café in the centre of the city.

Some words here have been discussed earlier.
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-8-hotel.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-5-etudiant.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-4-dans.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-3-cafe.html
https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-2-bonjour.html

Next time you want to say there is, use this phrase.
The word Voilà is also used to say there is.


Culture tip:

The Louvre, located in Paris, France, is the largest art museum in the world with an area size of 782,910 square feet. This museum is considered a historic monument in Paris and is part of the Louvre Palace, which was built in the 12th century.Today, it is home to around 38,000 pieces of art. The Louvre is also the most visited museum in the world, receiving 7.4 million visitors every year.

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-largest-art-museums-in-the-world.html

French Class 8: Hôtel

Bonjour! Learning a new language is watching a film. You want to know what happens next. Without waiting any further, here is the next word.

Hôtel

Pendant les vacances, j'habite dans un hotel.

During the vacation, I stay at he hotel.

L'hotel se trouve pres d'ici.

The hotel is nearby here.

L'hotel est grand.

The hotel is big.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1eg9eMKgJ4

The word hotel is similar to the word in English. 

In fact the word Hotel in English has its origin from French.

Culture tip:

The oldest hotel in France is the Hotel Westminster, which claims to be the longest continuously open hotel in Paris. Named in the honour of the Duke of Westminster and his patronage to the hotel during the 19th century, the Westminster is decorated with his coat of arms ever so discretely. The hotel opened in the early 19th century has remained open at 13, Rue de la Paix, ever since. 

https://leahtravels.com/places/europe/france/paris/historic-hotels-in-paris

ccc

French Class 7: Gâteau

Bonjour! Learning a new language is like having dessert after a meal. It completes the meal. So let's go ahead. Bon appétit.

Gâteau  is cake.

Un gâteau is a cake
le gâteau is the cake.

A touch of grammar with the vaocbulary adds value to the word.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j-46pCAoZY

The sentences with gâteau contain a phrase, je voudrais discussed earlier:

https://srishtirajeev.blogspot.com/2020/04/french-class-3-cafe.html

Je voudrais un gâteau.

I would like a cake.

Je voudrais un gâteau au chocolat.

I would like a chocolate cake.

Je voudrais un gâteau aux fraises.

I would like a strawberry cake.

Conversation:

Marc: Bonjour Annie

Annie: Bonjour Marc.

Serveur: Vous choisissez? ( Have you chosen?/decided)

Marc: Je voudrais un café. Et vous Annie?

Annie: Je voudrais un gâteau au chocolate.

Serveur: D'accord Madame et Monsieur.

...

Serveur: Voilà votre café et votre gâteau au chocolat.

Marc et Annie: Merci. (Thank you)

Serveur: Bon appétit.

Now you can order coffee or cake at a café in France.

Type out your favourite cake in the comments. 

Culture tip:

Why Cake at Birthdays?

Well, Cakes represent our best culinary offering honouring our most loved people. In "olden times" when refined sugar, spices , nuts and dried fruit were expensive, it was a honour to be honoured with cake. Today cake isn't expensive and we have a variety to choose from. But the message remains constant. 

Cake says "you are important and we love you"

http://foodtimeline.org/foodcakes.html#cakesymbol