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Asked • 03/01/18

How would you define French in your own words?

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Answered • 03/16/18

If you were to ask a random person what they think the French language is, the predictable answer would likely entail: "words with a jumble of vowels that only make one sound, a language of confusing pronunciation, and "a language spoken only by people in France and in Canada." These are very general misconceptions. Firstly, English has its own very confusing jumble of vowels and pronunciation. For example: rough, cough, and bough are all pronounced differently. But just like English, French has its own set of rules of why these vowels are pronounced the way they are. Once you know the rules, it's easy! Secondly, French is the official language in 29 different countries, including those in Europe, North America, Africa, and even Asia. Nearly 300,000,000 people around the globe speak French! Contrary to popular belief, French is not a complicated language and is an increasingly important language to learn, as it is spoken worldwide. English even derives many words from French (petite, beautiful, silhouette, critique, deja vu, RSVP - the list goes on!), so as you learn more and more French, you, in turn, learn more and more about English. So: in expanding your knowledge in French, you are expanding your knowledge of cultures across the globe - even your own!

Asked • 03/01/18

How would you define French in your own words?

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Claire M. answered • 03/19/18

French is a beautiful language, deeply rooted in a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is also a way of life. French is the language of romance (several of my students decided to learn French because they fell in love with a French-speaking individual), of arts, of fashion, of food and so much more... French is a language of the future. It is the 5th most widely spoken language on the planet and the only one, together with English, to be spoken on all five continents. French is the official language of France of course but also of 31 other countries and it is estimated that one in 12 persons will speak French in 2050. Come learn French with me and discover why "la vie est belle"!

Asked • 03/01/18

How would you define French in your own words?

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Maria W. answered • 03/19/18

French is one of the Romance languages, derived from spoken Latin. When Julius Caesar conquered Gaul (now France), the people of Gaul adopted the language of their Roman conquerors. Other languages such as that of the Celtic and the Germanic tribes who entered Gaul (especially the Franks from whose name the words "France" and "French" come) also contributed to the formation of French. Eventually, different dialects of French developed in various regions of the country of France. French has itself had an influence on other languages such as English. After the Norman Invasion of 1066 in England, French became the official language of the royal court, the English nobles, and the judicial system. French is also considered "the language of diplomacy" because it is a precise language (i.e. It has specific words for different shades of meaning.)

Asked • 03/01/18

How would you define French in your own words?

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Marie S. answered • 03/21/18

French is the language of the Declaration of Human Rights, part of the universal human heritage. It is a highly influential language in the world and the primary or second official language of many international organizations. It is the most learned language worldwide after English. The French language is expressive and melodious, it is naturally rich in cultural and intellectual heritage - the country operates the largest network of cultural institutes in the world. French is also an analytical language that structures thoughts and develops critical thinking, the language of debate: thesis, antithesis, synthesis. The language of dialectic, the language of diplomacy. It is always a real pleasure when English speaking students discover that, since French was the official language of the English court for centuries, English owes nearly half of its vocabulary to French. Un petit … je ne sais quoi !