mint Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 This post isn't meant to be serious but, nonetheless, it's a heartfelt one from me.I had an appointment with the podologue this morning and, when I looked at her address, I realised it was in the dreaded Rue de la République.It was my first appointment and I don't know the town that well. I had visions of asking somebody where the R de R was.I've been practising "rue" for months now (and, no, it's not the r that is giving me the problem, it's getting the sound of the ue) and, indeed, I have convinced myself that it's pretty much as French-sounding as I shall ever get it so I'm not unhappy with rue.But, when they have république so close to rue, it's not a nice thing to do, is it? Why don't they call it Avenue de la République or even Boulevard de la République instead and just give us foreigners a break? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I used to have a mental block about saying a few words in English: treacherous and IRA were among them.I know someone called Naomi, which has always stumped me as in French, her name would be pronounced Noémie...How do you manage with squirrel in French (écureuil)? [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 No sympathy at all.Try asking for you ski jacket to be re-waterproofedreimperméabilisée if you please! That's 9 syllables. I can't even think of an English word with 9 syllables in common uasage [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 No no no no, too easy![:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I'm still having problems with pneus d'hiverAt least I don't have to worry about it until November.Yes French squirills are a bit tricky.So Clair, how do you get on with 'Worcestershire' as in the sauce?That one seems to cause my French colleagues a bit of trouble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 wooster [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Brilliant!!! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 Yes, Clair, Wooster as in Bertie...................very good![:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 S17 - for the french "u" I was taught to say "ee", with the lips in the "oo" position. When the french rugby team sing the Marseillaise, watch their mouths when they come to "MUgir ces féroces soldats...."Lots of words I find difficult - especially tilleul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 [quote user="Patf"]S17 - for the french "u" I was taught to say "ee", with the lips in the "oo" position. When the french rugby team sing the Marseillaise, watch their mouths when they come to "MUgir ces féroces soldats...."Lots of words I find difficult - especially tilleul.[/quote]tilleul... how strange [8-)]Most people (including me) pronounce it "tee-yeul", although really, it should be pronounced "tee-leul". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 When the European coin was named the 'euro', I thought that it was a conspiracy againt the Brits as it is very difficult for us to pronounce in a manner that the French can understand.I also cannot say the word 'cirque' as in circus in an understandable manner.As for the French, have you heard them try to say 'straw' or 'law' or 'raw'? It sounds like 'str - O' (rhyming with 'low' etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 buche - bouche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I am going to suggest serrurerie - the word for a locksmith's premises. Apart from its initial letter, all its consonents are the same letter. According to my Concise Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary, the common pronunciation of tilleul is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I have to say wait till you have a two of French people of my age from the North and South on the train. Last time Isabel took the TGV from Lille to Bordeaux she claimed she spent the entire journey explaining what the two grand mothers were saying to each other. Restuarent French really gets me. I like Boulot- I like Escargot de Mer - but I hate it when they have Sea Snails as opposed to Whelks on the menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I agree with Clarkkent about « serrurerie » – any word that has the letters « r » and « u » is going to be more difficult to get the tongue round ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 What a coincidence, Clarkkent! Only yesterday, I was given someone's business card who repairs garden and agricultural vehicles and tools and serrurerie was also on the card. You'd say "serrurie", won't you, like you'd say teinturerie as teinturie?Patf, actually, I'm quite good with the "u" sound on its own and can even call my friend Jules in the proper French way. No, "u" on it's own isn't a problem; it's saying "rue" in that special French way they have.Perhaps, it is to do with the "r" after all. Took me a while to say "grand" properly. Then, I couldn't do "bouilloire" and it wasn't great making a cup of tea in the traditional way without one of those.LOL, if I could have managed "un grand jardin" to the estate agent, I might've ended up with more land for the dog and for the orchard I'm going to plant next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 [quote user="Pierre ZFP"]No sympathy at all.Try asking for you ski jacket to be re-waterproofedreimperméabilisée if you please! That's 9 syllables. I can't even think of an English word with 9 syllables in common uasage [:-))] [/quote]Right, Pierre, that's me giving up skiing before I've even started. What with having to ask for my ski jacket to be re-waterproofed and talking about having to wax my skis, I'm definitely NOT going there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerise Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 'Poule' - 'Pull' - as in, 'It's a bit chilly, I'll just go and get my chicken!' Ahhhgh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Mulhouse was always a bit of a tricky one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I struggle with "bouilloire" for some reason.[:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 And I'm really glad that I don't, like someone I know, live opposite "le dernier réverbère" in the village! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 [quote user="sweet 17"]This post isn't meant to be serious but, nonetheless, it's a heartfelt one from me.I had an appointment with the podologue this morning and, when I looked at her address, I realised it was in the dreaded Rue de la République.It was my first appointment and I don't know the town that well. I had visions of asking somebody where the R de R was.I've been practising "rue" for months now (and, no, it's not the r that is giving me the problem, it's getting the sound of the ue) and, indeed, I have convinced myself that it's pretty much as French-sounding as I shall ever get it so I'm not unhappy with rue.But, when they have république so close to rue, it's not a nice thing to do, is it? Why don't they call it Avenue de la République or even Boulevard de la République instead and just give us foreigners a break?[/quote]I have just found this thread and its got me a bit worried......Maybe I am saying things all wrong but to me Rue de la Republique (no accents on this keyboard) is pronounced ......Roo de la Ray pub leek. I hope I am close [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I would say the same except I think the 'pub' should be more like 'poob'Roo day la Ray poob leek Probably miles off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 More like roo duh la ray poob leek, imo, Pierre. But then phonetic spelling's an artform in itself I reckon and I'm lousy at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Yep that's it !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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