Chirac comments on croissants and cheese
I had been living in France for about 6 months when my mother, who doesn't speak very much French, came over to visit. I'd been following the political situation in France with great interest, so one evening, I wanted to watch a speech that Jacques Chirac would be giving, sort of a 'state of the union' kind of address. At one point, he said something about la croissance du ³¦³óô³¾²¹²µ±ð, the increase in unemployment. My mother heard it as les croissants, le fromage. Every time I think about Jacques Chirac very seriously discussing croissants and cheese with his nation, it just makes me laugh. It does sound like something the French might be concerned about.
Sent by: Lisa
Comments
Croissant has three related meanings in French. One, a crescent moon. Two, the bread roll. Three, increase (which is also the name for a mathematical symbol '>' for greater than). Can you see why two is related to three?
You know, I think when we're struggling in another language, we try to fit what we hear to what we know. Not knowing what ³¦³óô³¾²¹²µ±ð meant, I would have been right there with your mom in wondering if the president was worried about the state of the menu! I really admire everyone's courage and good humor in trying out a new language!
This one really make me laugh!la croissance du ³¦³óô³¾²¹²µ±ð means, I do know what croissants and fromage , I am pretty sure that I would had understood the same as your mom.
Thanks for sharing!
I will never forget what
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