Sunday, July 26, 2015
The French language can throw you for a loop, even if you have been studying it for some time. My own French is fluent, but hardly correct grammatically. There are too many fine points for a non-native speaker who began serious study late in life to absorb. I always find that I write or say something in French, only to realize, seconds later, my error. There will probably always be a dischronicity between what my mind initially leads my lips to say, or write; and, what, on reflection, I realize I ought to have said or put to pen.
Then there are subtleties which do not come easily to an English speaker. For instance, when you greet someone, you might say "Bon jour", or "Bon soir" depending on the time of day. However, on leaving them, you say "Bon journee", or "Bon soiree".
What is the difference?
Well, "Bon jour" and "Bon soir" are expressions of greeting. "Bon journée" and "Bon soiree", are the French equivalent of "Have a good day", or "Have a good evening", looking forward in time. It takes a while to get the hang of the four phrases, but it is the norm, so since everyone speaks this way, the correct forms come with practice.
However, there are more fine distinctions which can be flummoxing. For example, in English, the word "window" covers a great many types of panes of glass. In French, however, the distinction is made between vitre, vitrine, and vitrail.
What is the difference?
A vitre is a window in a residence.
A vitrine is a display window in a store or shop.
A vitrail is a window in a church, usually of stained glass.
The plurals are virtues, vitrines, and --vitraux!
All of which reminds me of the predominant British attitude towards many fine points French:
Distinctions without a difference.
To which a Frenchman would surely reply:
Chacun a son gout! (To each his own!)
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