Pardon My French: Unleash Your Inner Gaul
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Product Description
Guardian
'So good...the book describes the French real French people speak, as opposed to the French you're taught in school. It also, delicately and amusingly, looks at the pscychology of the French. Some French words are just false friends. A 'gateaux' is a rather dull biscuit, not an elaborate cake. 'Creme anglaise' is not cream, but custard. If you photograph a French person, you don't ask them to say 'cheese' and certainly not 'fromage'; instead they sy 'ouistiti', which, weirdly, means a marmoset. The word 'verge' is French for the male organ, which delights the few French travellers here when they see a road sign: 'soft verges'.'
Review
'The hilarious survival guide to French: from ordering a steak without getting sneered at to how exactly to say oh la la this is not just the most entertaining, but also the most useful book on France and the French you'll ever read.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is definitely a Very Useful Book if you're planning to come to France, be it as a new resident or just for a holiday. Moreover it's highly entertaining as well. Don't worry if your spoken French isn't too good, this is not a dry textbook to improve it. Instead the author has compiled a list of words relating to some of the more incongruous, incomprehensible, or downright ennervating aspects of this country and goes on to explain not just what they mean but also what they might imply for the unwary.
The result is not only informative and educational, but also manages to be a very good read at the same time. If France were a desert island this is maybe the one book you'd have to take with you...
The result is not only informative and educational, but also manages to be a very good read at the same time. If France were a desert island this is maybe the one book you'd have to take with you...
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a highly entertaining book, and is essential reading for anyone who wishes to get beyond the idea that Brits working or holidaying abroad will get by by speaking their English louder and slower! When, and when not, to use the words "baiser" or "impossible", the meaning of back-slang, how to organise the numerous public holidays that employees are awarded, what university you simply have to go to... One is almost becoming sympathetic towards the French when they are faced with idiomatic English. But that would never do! Well done to Mr Timoney on providing this guide to modern French "as she is spoke".
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What an excellent read! I can highly recommend this for anyone about to venture to France for their vacation or even to live there. Extremely humorous with a very light touch, this warm-hearted, affectionate read is the perfect antidote for those who've had enough of the bile generated by the Francophobic tabloid press.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good book, Bad editing
Although the content is entertaining and quite relevant to vacationing and living in France it is spoilt in many cases by poor editing after the text has been "kindelized". Read more
Published 1 month ago by Peter L. Clarke
Plus d'Entente Cordiale
Classified by topical subject and listed alphabetically from "a" for "apéro", this slightly tongue-in-cheek guide sheds light on the expressions in common use which you... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Antenna
oui
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It used an introduction to French slang words (equivalent to English 'bloke' etc) and acronyms to illustrate differences between British and French life... Read more
Published 20 months ago by didi
it's okay, but not that interesting
Basically, this is a book with a few useful phrases and a lot of anecdotes which I personally didn't find very interesting. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by Ms. Billygoatgruff
Unputdownable
I'm about to pass this around our French further studies class - it's a gem. Very funny and it's absolutely true that if you use the phrases within when in France you will appear... Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by Paul Townend
Could have been much better
This has some interesting nuggets, but as other reviewers have mentioned it's quite insubstantial. What doesn't seem to have been mentioned is the mean-spirited tone of the book,... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by A Reader
A Must for all Francophiles
This highly entertaining and informative book is a "must read" for all Francophiles. Whether just loving the country, visiting on holiday, or like me, actually living in France, it... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by David Barnett
C'est bonne
Informative while managing to stay entertaining - an insight into French society, stuff that can't normally be learned from books. If you are learning French it's a 'must read'.
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by Jack R. Ingram
Hilarious and spot-on!
Had I read this book earlier, I would have avoided a long frustrating discussion with one B&B hostess - trying to ask her for some sticky-tape. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2009 by JC Trembath
Rubbish
Pardon My French: Unleash Your Inner Gaul
A waste of money, a few "facts" padded out with unfunny "anecdotes". Read more
A waste of money, a few "facts" padded out with unfunny "anecdotes". Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by Bill1
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