Le printemps et ses premiers beaux jours annoncent la chaude saison d’été. Les plantes poussent et les fleurs apparaissent. On en profite pour prendre l’air: faire des promenades en famille ou avec des amis. On travaille aussi dans le jardin: on … Continue reading
Perfect for wintertime, Kig Ha Farz (pronounced keeg ah fahrs) is un plat copieux breton (a hearty meal from Brittany), more precisely for the Finistère department. Literally, the name means viande et pâte (meat and dough). Continue reading
In France, the word cake (pronounced like in English) designates fruit cakes, that is, cake made with dried or candied fruits, usually presented in a simple, rectangular shape. Here is a simpler yet homey, filling fruit cake recipe which is especially well-adapted to the beloved blé noir ('bleh nwhar'; buckwheat) of Brittany. Continue reading
As in any language, there are expressions in French which do not necessarily make sense when translated literally. Yet, they are embedded in the culture because they seem to express certain situations or feelings so appropriately. Here are some of the … Continue reading
Watching foreign movies with sous-titres (subtitles) is a great way to get to know a culture and its language. More and more films are now available, but it may be difficult to find those suited to one’s level. Some like … Continue reading
A long-time favorite Russian cartoon that continues to amaze older and younger generations of Russians and others around the world, Hedgehog in the Fog, was directed by acclaimed cartoonist, Yuriy Norstein, in 1975. Continue reading
Portuguese today is the fifth major language in the world. It is not only spoken by Brazilians and Portuguese but also by people from Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Sao Tome and Principe, as well as the co-official language, along with Chinese, in Macau, and with Tetum in East Timor. It is then, no wonder that there are differences in intonation, pronunciation, grammar rules and vocabulary for each of these countries that are so distant from each other. Continue reading
To celebrate spring time, let’s read a poem by French author Théophile Gautier (1811-1872). As always, a ‘perfect’ translation of a poem from one language to another is simply impossible. So all the more reason to improve your French! … Continue reading
Classics of French literature, the Fables de La Fontaine continue to work their magic on the imagination of both adults and children, for the power of their imagery, the relevance of their content, and the excellence of the language. Continue reading
If 'comfort food' means a dish associated with a sense of home or contentment, then it could be argued that most foods in France fit that label. Indeed, following the stereotype, French people regard food as altogether convivial, pleasurable and nourishing. In winter however, an emphasis is on warm, filling foods. Continue reading
