I'm in Quebec, and I've made some observations about the French language.
In America, "dead-end" calls to mind a sad little street that literally dies on you. "Cul-de-sac" calls to mind a nice suburban, residential street which ends with a neat curve, perhaps with some flowers near the curb and plenty of room for a comfortable u-turn. When the bus pulled into its first stop in Montreal, it turned onto a street with a sign saying "cul-de-sac." To my disappointment it was just a plain dead end.
In America the word "overt" is always used to mean "figuratively open," and is often used in a high-falutin' way. In Quebec, stores have signs saying "ouvert" to let people know that they're open for business.
It is a bit amusing to hear Americans speaking French with an unabashedly American accent, as in the sentence "Don't park there! It's an arret d'autobus."
On a practical note, if you ever gain control over a province, don't force people to speak your language. It's not very nice.
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Is it practical to think that I'll ever be gaining control over a province?
ReplyDeletewhats your language?
ReplyDeleteIf you don't force 'em to speak you language you'll find it hard to be a proper dictator. Besides, you'll have no one to talk to, but then you've got Joeseph Heller at your side so I guess it's alright.
ReplyDeleteI don't either recommend that those who gain control over provinces become dictators.
ReplyDeletewhaddaya know? you ainnow polisci...
ReplyDeleteBut then you lose out on a history rich with anarchy. (Which might not be so fun if you're the one being revolted against but it does make it all very exciting.)
ReplyDeleteHi just found your blog. As an american french speaking native I can say that there is nothing more romantic than an American speaking french. E, are you Lubavitch?
ReplyDeleteThat I am.
ReplyDeleteReally e? You're a Lubavitcher? Who knew?!
ReplyDeleteDid you not hear me proclaim loudly that one can be an atheist and a lubavitcher?
ReplyDeleteNo.
ReplyDeleteyou must have been trashed, this took place over Sukkos.
ReplyDeleteCome on, e says lots of things, I'm expected to remember everything he spouts?
ReplyDeleteBut this was delivered with great pomp and fanfare.
ReplyDeletestanding on a bench, ranting, the whole caboodle.
ReplyDeleteAgain, e, I've heard you rant so many times, many of them with great pomp and fanfare- besides, was this on Shmini Atzeres?
ReplyDeleteit was on shmini atzeres, and the pomp and fanfare was unusual.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had made kiddush on smirnoff mere hours before...
ReplyDeleteWait, e, you consider yourself a Lubavitcher? I think this calls for a blog post of its own.
ReplyDeleteIf you can be Jewish and not religious, why can't you be Lubavitch and not religious? I even know a guy who's a Detroit-style anti and not religious.
ReplyDelete