Language Classes, 12/20

[game-of-you.livejournal.com]

Written on the blackboard:

LAST CLASS -- Please hand in your final projects

There is a basket on Dream's desk to collect the papers; next to it sits another basket, full of red-and-green wrapped Christmas chocolates. Dream, now free of the plague of balloons, leans against the blackboard with his arms folded. He manages a smile for each student as they hand in their papers.

Comments

Languages of Europe, 12/20

[game-of-you.livejournal.com]

Projects may be left in the comments here or emailed to Dream@fandomhigh.net. Hope to see you next term.

Re: Languages of Europe, 12/20

[lisacuddy.livejournal.com]

In our modern age of an increasingly smaller global community, there arises a need to communicate with others who often come from a different cultural background and speak another language. In the latter half of the last century, English has been widely accepted as a medium of international communication. With the proliferation of American corporations globally, and arguably its political and cultural imperialism, this seems to be a natural progression.

However, before English was adopted as a universal language, French was the language of diplomacy. It is also the official language of several influential International bodies such as the UN, EU, UNESCO, The Red Cross, and The International Olympic Committee, and is spoken in more than forty countries. Being fluent in the French language is still an important tool for any diplomat. In Paris in 1996, French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette once said to Warren Christopher that he would have "a lot of time to intensify his knowledge of the French language, which is greater than you expect," upon his retirement. Madeleine Albright, who sometimes amused herself during U.N. debates listening to the foreign language channels on her headset, speaks fluent French and had no such difficulties with foreign leaders.

There are also thousands of important historical documents and works of literature and philosophy written in French, and being able to read the language is necessary for many people pursuing higher levels of academia.


And in conclusion, blah blah blah French kicks ass, and their porn is often way better than ours. But Spanish porn is even better. The end.

Re: Languages of Europe, 12/20

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Though some people, in some kind of misguided attempt at patriotic fervour, might feel it appropriate to eschew any association with the people, languages, and culture of enemy combatant countries, it has been my personal experience that knowing such things is innately useful, particularly for a member of the military service. One never knows when one might be called upon to engage in operations that involve infiltrating enemy camps or meeting with enemy officers under temporary truce, and therefore I would submit that the ability to communicate effectively with them is a highly useful one.

On this note, there are certain tactical advantages to speaking an enemy combatant's language fluently. For one, it becomes more difficult for an enemy communique to employ underhanded games of rhetoric, the more familiar one is with the nuances of the language. In addition, fluency allows one to present a certain air of, if not superiority, equality; one does not wish to present an appearance of incompetent fumbling if one is to maintain a psychological edge.

Tangentially, one's accent can be either a help or a hindrance, and knowing the cultural implications thereof is a useful tool; for instance, one could pose as an ambassador from a neutral nation rather than a native speaker, if one's accent is simply not up to the latter task.

Re: Languages of Europe, 12/20

[defiantlyyours.livejournal.com]

French has always been a romantic language. Speak a few choice words of the Gallic tongue into the ear of your loved one, and they will immediately melt into your arms. This is not to say that French should be used as a weapon to make helpless the masses. My God, we must fight against the tyranny of those who would use such a beautiful language to pacify their captives! Fight fight fight!

Still, if you trust someone, and I have only ever trusted one person in my life -- my darling Wednesday -- you may croon this at them. There is a certain aural quality that makes it quite the aphrodisiac. Perhaps it is the almost lazy quality of the vowels, or the leering, lustful nature of the consonants. Whatever the cause, you may be sure that any use of French may increase romantic relations between yourself and your beloved. You may even get farther along in your carnal ministrations.

When they call French a Romance language, they truly mean it. France as a nation has always been a lover, not a fighter, willing to surrender all in the name of love. Perhaps this is what tinges their words with that intangible magical quality. I could not rightly say.

Re: Languages of Europe, 12/20

[absolutesnark]

French cuisine is characterized by its extreme diversity. It is considered to be one of the world's most refined and elegant styles of cooking, and is renowned for both its classical and provincial styles. Many of the world's greatest chefs, such as Taillevent, La Varenne, Carême, Escoffier, or Bocuse were masters of French cuisine. Additionally, French cooking techniques have been a major influence on virtually all Western cuisines, and almost all culinary schools use French cuisine as the basis for all other forms of Western cooking. French wine and French cheese are an integral part of French cuisine, both as ingredients and accompaniments. France is known for its large ranges of wines and cheeses.

Much influence on Spanish cuisine has come from the Jewish and Moorish traditions. The Moors were a strong influence in Spain for many centuries and some of their food is still eaten in Spain today. However, pork is popular and for centuries eating pork was also a statement of ethnical limpieza de sangre. Several products of the Americas were introduced in Europe through Spain, and a modern Spanish cook couldn't do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers or beans. These are some of the primary influences that have differentiated Spanish cuisine from Mediterranean cuisine, of which Spanish cuisine shares many techniques.

Re: Languages of Europe, 12/20

[ihatedenmark.livejournal.com]

Although many French people trace their lineage from the original Gaulish inhabitants of France, the modern French language truly has its origin in the Vulgar Latin imported by the invading Roman armies mixing with the Germanic language of the Frankish people who immigrated there from the third century onwards. Medieval France had three main dialects: langue d'oil (which had a good deal of Frankish influence), langue d'oc (which had little Frankish influence), and Franco-Provençal (a middle ground between the two other dialects).

As langue d'oil was spoken in the Northern parts of the country where the royal court and French officials were established, it came to be the main language of royal business. As authors began developing langue d'oc-french into a literary langue with works describing the paladins of Charlemagne and the heroes of the Crusades, in began to win out over the langue d'oc dialect. The establishment of the Académie française to enforce standard language usage made the Middle French derivative of langue d'oil official as the French known and taught to people worldwide. Langue d'oc derivatives still exist, but in a much limited form. The language Provençal is a direct descendant of this dialect, and is still spoken by a minority of speakers in southern France.