French Phrase #4

l'arbre ne tombe pas du premier coup

(persistence! persistence!)

From Les Bons Mots: Translated as "the tree does not fall at the first blow," telling us that we have to be prepared to work hard to gain any desired end.

[Oui, I am posting two phrases of the day. Why? Pourquoi pas!]

French Phrase #3

Elle parle français comme une vache espagnole.

(She massacres the French language)

From Les Bons Mots: Literally, "she speaks French like a Spanish cow." It is not surprising that this French characterization has persisted, since the French so love their language, and Spaniards are a nearby target.

I thought I would lighten up my blog with this phrase. I think this will be very important to know while in France, so when someone utters this phrase about my French, at least I won't smile and nod unknowingly. And it proves very useful to say to myself right now, as I'm re-learning French. Moi, Je parle français comme une vache espagnole.

French Phrase #2

Je fais peau neuve

(I'm turning over a new leaf)

Literal: I'm getting new skin.

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come." - Joseph Campbell

French Phrase #1

élan vital

vital, creative force

From Les Bons Mots: Literally, "vital ardor." The French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859-1941) advanced the idea that a creative force of living things is responsible for growth, change, and desirable adaptations of organisms. The phrase was taken into English without change of meaning or pronunciation, indicating that there is no better way to express élan vital.

Resolution: French Phrase A Week

Okay, so not being big on New Year's Resolutions (why must January 1st be some great marker for change?!) but also appreciating resolutions... I am going to introduce another blog resolution. Last year, I resolved to read at least one book a month and blog about it. When I made that blogging resolution, it seemed so silly. I love to read... why should I have to resolve to read at least a book a month? Well, like getting to Paris, daily distractions can eat away at me and before I know it, two months can pass without reading a book. It's ridiculous how we can let our passions go without fully realizing we are choosing to do so on some level.

Anyway, in an effort to make small but meaningful steps towards Paris, I want to post a French phrase each week. I have a great book with all these great French phrases and slang terms called Les Bons Mots and I just bought myself a French Phrase A Day desk calendar. Part of my dream to be in France includes my actually speaking the language, challenging myself to speak more fluently and maybe one day becoming bilingual, as I am very fond of all things French, including their beautiful language.

Wow... as small a step as this might be... just stating that I will do it (as with reading a book a month and losing ten pounds by February 1st... both of which continue to go so well save for my December reading perhaps!) feels like a considerable step forward. Okay, I'll stop dorking out now! :)

First French Phrase A Week to come!