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Posts Tagged ‘French Culture’

Culture is something intangible, abstract but pervasive. It is therefore not surprising that it also tinges the holidays, even those that are internationally recognized and celebrated, giving them a local flavor everywhere and consequently raise their interest. In addition to dealing with some peculiarities of the French language with respect to Easter, this article also addresses the way this holiday is emphasized in France.

Le Portail Linguistique du Canada (Language Portal of Canada) devotes an article to Easter. Among other things, it examines the origins of this religious feast and the customs that surround it. It also gives an explanation of the spelling of the word Pâque(s), the gender, number and articles associated with it. Finally, some French proverbs of this celebration are displayed on the page along with their meanings. In French only. http://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/bien-well/fra-eng/vocabulaire-vocabulary/paques-easter-fra.html

To increase awareness of French culture, the site LoveToKnow presents an article entitled “ How Do the French Celebrate Easter “ and offers an overview of the games, holidays, and customs surrounding the celebration, focusing on traditional dishes that are prepared and served at that time. In English only.

http://french.lovetoknow.com/How_Do_the_French_Celebrate_Easter

CLÉ (Le Centre Linguistique pour Étrangers de Tours, en France – Linguistic Centre for Foreigners of Tours, France) proposes a linguistic and cultural exercise for which the two preceding articles will have prepared you. This article is a fill-in-the-blank test about the traditions surrounding the feast of Easter in France. Multiple-choices for answers are presented with each statement to allow you to test your spelling and grammar knowledge while familiarizing yourself with this aspect of French culture.  http://www.cle.fr/centre_linguistique-fr-idm-105-n-Exercices-idh-71.html

Happy Easter !

To celebrate La Semaine de la Francophonie (the Francophonie Week) which runs from March 13 to 20, which is la Journée internationale de la Francophonie, we present three sites to familiarize you with the different cultures and accents of the French speaking world.

Discover  on the site of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (International Organization of Francophonie)  its actions in the fields of international politics and multilateral cooperation, and its Member States. The OIF, founded March 20, 1970, aims to give substance to active solidarity between all 75 states and governments that make up the Organization (56 members and 19 observers) – more than a third of UN Member States.

http://www.francophonie.org/

The following link takes you to the map of the Francophone world.

http://www.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/carte_monde_francophonie_2011.pdf

French Connection is a page examining the French language as it is spoken throughout the world and discussing cultural issues relating to French language and identity. What does the French language mean to its speakers across the world? Listen to the answers of people from France, Benin, Senegal, Algeria, Quebec, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Another series of interviews addresses the issue of the French language today and tomorrow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/french_connection/

Wikipedia devotes a page to La Francophonie. Having given a definition, the site makes its description and tells its history, and also gives the  number of French speaking people in the countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie and in the rest of the the world. Among other things, it also addresses issues such as Culture and Media.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francophonie

See you next week

This article presents companion sites to methods for learning French. These four sites have several things in common : they are all intended for adult learners at the beginner level, they complete textbooks published by Pearson, and they offer a surprising number of resources and activities that will surely help you improve your French.

Here is a link to the online study guide of the textbook Chez nous: Branché sur le monde francophone. It contains 12 chapters and an introduction, each composed of three elements. « Audio Resources » lets you hear the lessons, their vocabulary and get the student activities manual audio. « Practice » lets you try auto-corrected activities, play with Flashcards or a Soccer Game to check your understanding of each lesson’s vocabulary and grammar presentation.

The « Web Resources » element is divided into four sections : first, the « Textbook and Student Activities Manual » exercises, followed by « Web-Based Activities » as Surfons sur Internet (let’sbrowse the Internet) that includes topics related to the chapter theme and Venez chez nous (come to our place) which explores the francophone web. The « Expansion Links » section is devoted to fun links. Finally, « General Resources » includes dictionaries, French directories and portals as well as the section Language and Culture Resources.

http://wps.prenhall.com/ml_valdman_cheznous_3/28/7358/1883708.cw/index.html

Let’s explore the study guide to the 12-chapters textbook Français-Monde: Connectez-vous à la francophonie. It includes the following resources: In-TextActivities Audio with 4 to 7 links divided into sections such as « Pour bien communiquer » (to communicate well) with phrases; « Écoutons! Voix francophones au présent » (Let’s listen to contemporary French Native speaker voices) which  presents a variety of native French regional accents; and « Pour bien prononcer » (To pronunce well).  The Student Activities Manual Audio are located at the bottom of the box;  it contains 8 to 16 audio files by chapter.

http://wps.prenhall.com/wl_ariew_francaismonde_1/178/45691/11696972.cw/index.html

Another extensive study guide is the one to Rond-Point: Une perspective actionnelle. For each of the 18 chapters, it offers the following resources : « Practice Exercises » which is divided into En contexte (in context)  for vocabulary,  Mémento for grammar auto-corrected activities, and Flashcards.

« Web Activities and Resources » includes Internet Search Activities and  Regards Croisés which provides interactive culture-based activities, as well as additional resources such as online dictionaries. « Audio Resources » contains In Text Activities audio and, at the bottom of the box, the Workbook/LabManual audio.

http://wps.prenhall.com/wl_meyer_rondpoint_1/56/14567/3729232.cw/-/t/index.html

The online study guide to accompany Parallèles: Communication et culture includes for each of its preliminary and following 13 chapters the outcomes of each lesson, 4 learning steps (étapes) with practice exercises for vocabulary and structures as well as sections named: Voyage en Francophonie (Trip to the French-speaking world),  Cultures en parallèles (cultures in parallel), Le mot juste (the right word) with audio flashcards, Soccer Game, En Direct Audio, Cahier Audio and Resources, which is a repository of links to dictionaries, French directories and portals, translation tools as well as Language and Culture Resources.

http://wps.prenhall.com/ml_fouletier_paralleles_3/16/4245/1086934.cw/index.html

Good discovery!

This week, all of the posts of both this blog and GoFrenchGo will have the Allons-y! French teaching method for a central theme. This method is used in many English speaking countries and is meant for high-school and college students. The companion sites that the publisher Pearson has put online make it particularly interesting. Even in the absence of textbooks, most of the exercises found on these sites can be very useful for learners of French.

Allons-y ! 1 is the first book in the series and has eight chapters. By clicking on each you will also have access to a 5 question Quick Quiz, to the Review Questions section that includes 38 to 40 statements, to the Technology Applications section where there are exercises on grammar and vocabulary and to the Web Destinations section that offers links to many sites on culture, Francophonie and French language.

http ://wps.pearsoned.com.au/allonsy1/32/8203/2100105.cw/index.html

Allons-y ! 2 follows the previous manual and also has 8 chapters. Although the formula is reminiscent of Allons-y  1, there are some differences. The introduction provides a sample of questions and presents the main characters of the book. Each Quick Quiz has 10 questions and 15 to 30 Review Questions. Each lesson is supplemented with 5 audio exercises. The grammar and vocabulary exercises in are in the Drag & Drop Activities. As for Web destinations, they always have interesting links leading to cultural and other resources.

http://wps.pearsoned.com.au/allonsy2/13/3533/904541.cw/index.html

Allons-y ! 3 & 4 concludes the series. Like the two previous books, it is divided into eight chapters and offers a similar format: 5 question Quick Quiz, 15 Review Questions, and an Audio Questions section which offers four to five listening exercises. The Web Destinations section offers links on the multi-faceted culture of the French-speaking world.

http://wps.pearsoned.com.au/allonsy34/

See you next week

The Quebec Winter Carnival is a major popular festival that emerged from the earliest days of the French colony. The largest winter carnival in the world, it is the third largest carnival after the Rio Carnival and the celebrations of Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

The word carnival comes from the Italian phrase “carne levare”, that is to say « to remove the meat », because it ends on Mardi Gras which preceeds Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Thus, February is the month of carnivals. Like all other carnival celebrations, the Quebec Winter Carnival is associated with symbols such as orchestral or brass band music, parades and processions with floats and costumes, in the case above, the wearing of a traditional sash : the pointed belt. Today we present three links to learn more about the festivities that surround this great winter celebration.

Carnaval.qc.ca is the official website of the Quebec Carnival. It consists of several sections, among others “About” which details all activities surrounding the carnival and the Teacher’s Corner where you’ll find a school kit consisting of book games, online games and crafts; Fun Zone includes photo albums, wallpapers, a great video called Carnaval in Action as well as excerpts of Carnival songs with French lyrics. http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/en

The French version of the site is available at: http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/

The Virtual Museum of Canada made the Quebec Winter Carnival one of its online exhibits. This site includes sections like The Carnival devoted to the origins of this celebration; the Quebec section briefly traces the history of the city, Merry Carnival! and The Palace explore some of Quebec Carnival’s most famous symbols, and finally, the section Festivities examines some of it sactivities.

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Festiva1/en/mcq/index.html

For the French version of the site, click on the link: http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Festiva1/fr/mcq/

Finally, the OQLF (Office québécois de la langue française) devotes a page to the Carnival entitled Les mots du Carnaval (The Words of the Carnival) that contains about twenty terms associated with the carnival. Click on each one to obtain a definition. In French only.

http://www.olf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/bibliotheque/dictionnaires/terminologie_carnaval/lex_carnaval.html

Merry Carnival !

French comics are often Belgian. In fact, it is almost impossible to speak about French cartoons without emphasizing  the outstanding contribution of Belgium, where comics are considered an art in itself. Creators like Hergé, Franquin, Peyo, Greg and Morris, to name a few, have all created unforgettable characters who have acquired an immense fame. It is with pleasure that we present today a series of fun sites where you will learn about French culture through some of his most famous cartoons.

Tintin.be : With 24 albums having sold 230 million copies and translated into over 80 languages, Tintin is a cult comic strip. Created by the cartoonist Hergé more than 80 years ago, his adventures have delighted generations of readers while often helping them learn geography. Tintin’s official website, available in English, French and Dutch, not only brings together everything you need to know about his adventures and the endearing characters contained therein, but also many other things. There are games for all, and for children videos, topical articles focusing on several issues, including the conquest of space, and a section for tintinologists, who are Tintin’s hardcore fans. http://www.tintin.be/

Smurf.com : These little guys came out of the imagination Peyo (Pierre Culliford) in 1958. Fifty years later, books, activity books, television series, figurines and games are extremely popular all over the world. Their official website, available in six languages, tells the origin of the Smurfs, introduces the author, and each of the different but similar little blue characters, as well as the detestable Gargamel and his cat Azrael. A perfect location to learn to speak Smurf and French! http://www.smurf.com/smurf.php/www/home/fr

Gaston Lagaffe.com : Here is the official site of the mythical character created by André Franquin in 1957. Indolent, lazy and blundering, Gaston is the anti-hero par excellence. He holds a (too often lying) position in Spirou Magazine, where he spends most of his time trying to avoid work. On his website, you will discover all about Gaston Lagaffe: albums, characters, unpublished drawings, news, games and goodies as well as contests … and loads of blunders! French only.  http://www.gastonlagaffe.com/

Astérix.com : Astérix is from France or rather from ancient Gaul. He is also another iconic character of the 9th art. His adventures take place in 50 BC, at the very time of Julius Caesar, in a village of indomitable Gauls. The series, created by writer René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo, has over 30 albums translated into 107 languages. The site is thus multilingual. The official virtual village of Asterix and his faithful companion Obelix includes all the news from Asterix, e-cards, « smailix »(smileys), video games, contests, unpublished drawings, film clips and much more and can be found at the following address: http://www.asterix.com/index.html.fr?rub=francais

Have Fun!

A visit to the Campus CUEF website is also an encounter with French songs and music.  For example, by listening to Lynda Lemay’s song « Les Maudits Français, » the learners of French as a Foreign Language get to hear the French-Canadian accent of the Quebecers.  It gives them the chance to learn some words and expressions typical of the way French is spoken in Quebec.  They can, in addition, revise the use of the present tense in French.

It is, however, the special lyrics of that song that gives value to this exercise.   In « Les Maudits Français, » Lemay paints an amusing and friendly portrait of the way the French from France are perceived by the North-American cousins, the Québécois.  The exercise will help you better understand cultural differences between North-American francophones and their French-European counterpart.

So please go to the next stop on our guided tour:  http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/pages/unite/u2.htm#u2_a3 and select activity 4 of the second work unit.

You want more?  Click on the following link: http://platea.pntic.mec.es/~cvera/hotpot/les_maudits_francais.htm to directly access the self-grading listening comprehension exercise for that Quebec song.

Finally, for those of you who would like to dig a little deeper into the meaning of the Quebec French vocabulary found in the lyrics, see the short glossary of colloquialisms provided for that song: http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/hotpot/u2/dico.htm.

Happy French listening!

Learning about French culture and the ways people react to cultures different than their own through listening comprehension exercises, what a great idea!  Mastering a second language remains such an incomplete experience without the cultural dimension.

Not surprisingly, the next stop on our guided tour leads us to a CUEF “projet Vercors” webpage where you can do just that: http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/pages/unite/u1.htm.
The various listening exercises found in activities 3 and 4 of the first unit deal with what the French thinks of other cultural groups.

The expatriate testimonies found in activities 2, 3, and 4 of Unit 4 are also very interesting but slightly more complex.  Cultural shock for French people going abroad and cultural shock among the French and the French: a golden opportunity for learning more French while learning about the French!

You cannot fully understand a language if you do not understand its culture(s).  The more you learn about French culture and lifestyles in France and other countries, the richer and more exciting your experience of learning French will become.  The reading and listening comprehension and writing activity resources of the CUEF are always presented in a humorous way.  They will allow you to learn from a distance wherever you are and whatever your schedule.

The first stop on our guided tour is: http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/hotpot/u2/caric_fr/u2_act1_exo1.htm.

If you are pressed for time, make sure to at least do the first exercise of the second module « Les Français en stéréotypes. »  Match pictures illustrating different ways the French is stereotyped around the world to their corresponding statements.  This short quiz will give you the opportunity to rethink your own perceptions of the French people who live in France.

A fun reading exercise and a “clin d’oeil” to the French!

As soon as you have acquired enough French vocabulary and mastered basic grammatical structures, you begin to enjoy reading longer and more complex texts, which in turns gives you direct access to the cultural world of native French speakers.  Using your newly acquired skills to express yourself in writing in your second language can be a very rewarding experience.  It allows to focus on what you really interests you and gives you the power of “choice” rather than leaving you at the mercy of your language limitations.

The series of free interactive online exercises put together by the Centre universitaire d’études françaises de l’Université Stendhal de Grenoble will help you achieve these two things in numerous ways.  Make sure to try one of their listening or reading comprehension or writing exercises on your very first visit at http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/pages/pole/pol1.htm.  You will be impressed by the quality and scope of the available learning material.

It goes without saying that in the best of worlds one should stick to the learning path outlined, begin with the first unit, end with the last one, and not skip any of the exercises contained in these units.   The problem is that few of us live in that “best of worlds” and most of us are often pressed for time.  That is why I will be inviting you on a guided tour of “le monde vu par les français” in the days to come.  Stay tuned; we are about to take off. . .