French Voices Podcast | Learn French | Interviews with Native French Speakers | French Culture

Buy Full Notes

In this second part of my interview with Manolo we will talk about his confrérie (a society of people who get together to perpetuate a tradition, a skill): la Confrérie des amateurs de Sagarno de la Bidassoa. This society is currently under process to be part of the Unesco intangible cultural heritage list. Learn the reasons behind the decline then the revival of the art of making “vin de pomme”, the types of apples used for the process, the amount of wine produced by the fellowship. You’ll also find out why drinking wine gives you headaches!

Thank you Mike for putting me in touch with Manolo! If you too know someone who would be a fantastic guest for French Voices, someone with a passion they would love to share, please get in touch!
Vocab List
aléas (nm plur) = hazards, vagaries, contingencies, risks
ascenseur social (nm) = social mobility
cahier des charges (nm) = (bill of) specifications
casse-croûte (nm) (fam) = snack
confrère (nm) = colleague ; fellow, brother
confrérie (nf) = brotherhood, fellowship ; association, society, guild
filer entre les doigts (de qn) = to slip through (sb)'s fingers
grosso modo = roughly
moine (nm) = monk
prendre l'apéro (fam) = prendre l'apéritif = to have an aperitif
pressoir (nm) = press
regain (nm) = renewal, revival, resurgence ; rise
rentable = profitable, money-making
revendiquer sa basquitude = to claim one's basque origins
soufre (nm) = sulphur
valoir le coup = to be worth it
verger (nm) = orchard
Links and Resources

Page Facebook : Bidasoako Sargadozaleen Kofradia
French Voices episode 74 : "La Fine Mousse – the world of craft beer"

Live workshops are back!

More information and bookings open on my events page: https://frenchyourway.com.au/events

If you can’t attend, don’t worry: you will receive the replay video as well as the worksheet and answers.

Upcoming events:

Dictée en français / French dictation

Sunday May 22nd at 9pm Paris time.

Imparfait vs passé composé

Thursday May 26th at 10pm Paris time.

Check out my events page

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive special discount codes for the workshops.

Looking forward to working with you!

Jessica

Buy Full Notes
This 2-part interview with Manolo will take you to the heart of the French Basque country (Pays Basque), its heritage and its tradition of making “vin de pomme” (also known as “sagardo”, or “sagarno”), which is not the same as the apple cider from Normandy.
The start of the conversation will help you locate the Pays Basque and understand its strong sense of identity. People still wear the beret, speak basque (which is a language in itself, not related to French), play local traditional instruments that the rest of France probably never heard of. Listen to find out how talking about music naturally led us to talking about apples (yes, there’s a link!). By the way, do you know where apples originally come from? What’s the difference between “vin de pomme” and “cidre”? In other words, what’s the difference with how the Basque and the Norman people process their apples? The answers are in this episode.
We’ll talk about the fermentation process of course. We’ll also see why the properties of the sagardo / vin de pomme made it the daily drink on board the ships in the old times.
As you may have understood by now, this interview is all about culture, traditions, heritage, history, about understanding how trade, routes and human exchanges played a central role in the diversity of it all. Last but not least this interview is Manolo sharing his passion with you. We hope you enjoy it.
Vocab List
alambic (nm) = still [alcohol production]baleine franche (nf) = right whalebarrique (nf) = barrel, caskbroyer = to grind, crushclocher (nm) = bell towercontrée (nf) = region, landcouvre-chef (nm) = hat, headgearcroupir = to stagnate [water], to rotfoulage (nm) = pressing, treading, crushingfouler (vt) = to tread, trample, pressfût (nm) = cask, barrel, keghistoire/querelle de clocher = community/parish rivalry ; storm in a teacupmorue (nf) = cod, codfishmûrir = to ripenprendre une pâtée (fam) = to take a thrashingtaquiner = to tease
Links and Resources

Page Facebook : Bidasoako Sargadozaleen Kofradia
French Voices episode 52 : "Champagne Producing with Tristan Hyest"

Buy Full Notes

Betty Levanqué really is an incredible woman, I would even call her a wonder woman. I’m truly in awe at everything she’s done so far in her life, her stamina, her strength; she’s an inspiration to work hard, be present for your family, love people, give back to others when you can. Betty studied hard, even while becoming the other of a very premature baby with a disability and later on resuming her studies and taking up three courses in three different universities the same year at age... 40. She founded an association to help orphans in Vietnam (where her background is), the food bank of New Caledonia where she lives (banque alimentaire de Nouvelle-Calédonie), owns a real estate agency (Le Café Immobilier) as well as a popular café in Nouméa (Boops Café), and is the president of the APESA, an association supporting business managers burning out and at risk of committing suicide.

The least we can say is that Betty is profoundly humane and committed to making a difference in people’s lives. This is a long, inspiring, feel good interview.
Vocab List
avoir les pieds sur terre = to be grounded
bénévolement (adv) = voluntarily
claquettes (nf plur) = flip flops, slide sandals
cursus (nm) = course, curriculum
gaspillage alimentaire (nm) = food waste
invendu (nm) = unsold article
natte (nf) = mat
néon (nm) = neon light, fluorescent light
orphelinat (nm) = orphanage
remettre (qn) sur les rails = to put (sb) back on track / on the right path
Links

Le Café Immobilier (Facebook)
La Banque Alimentaire de Nouvelle-Calédonie
Boops Café (Facebook)
Apesa NC
Follow my Dream
French Voices, episode 126: (Part 1) Representing Belgium abroad: the work of a consul
French Voices, episode 127: (Part 2) Representing Belgium abroad: the work of a consul

Buy Full Notes

Betty Levanqué really is an incredible woman, I would even call her a wonder woman. I’m truly in awe at everything she’s done so far in her life, her stamina, her strength; she’s an inspiration to work hard, be present for your family, love people, give back to others when you can. Betty studied hard, even while becoming the other of a very premature baby with a disability and later on resuming her studies and taking up three courses in three different universities the same year at age... 40. She founded an association to help orphans in Vietnam (where her background is), the food bank of New Caledonia where she lives (banque alimentaire de Nouvelle-Calédonie), owns a real estate agency (Le Café Immobilier) as well as a popular café in Nouméa (Boops Café), and is the president of the APESA, an association supporting business managers burning out and at risk of committing suicide.

The least we can say is that Betty is profoundly humane and committed to making a difference in people’s lives. This is a long, inspiring, feel good interview.

In this episode we’ll start with Betty’s Vietnamese background - this is essential to understand the values of merit, work and endurance that are ever present in her life story. Betty’s name and identity changed when she was 6 years old. Learn interesting facts about Vietnamese names.
Vocab List
au chevet (de qn) = at [sb]'s bedside
avoir plusieurs cordes à son arc / avoir plus d'une corde à son arc = to have more than one string to one's bow
dépayser (qn) = be a break of [sb]'s routine, be a change of scenery
doudoune (nf) = down / winter / puffa jacket
guichetier, ière (n) = ticket salesperson
hypokhâgne (nf) = intensive foundation degree in literature
khâgne (nf) = literature foundation course
métissé,e (adj) = mix-race
parler à bâtons rompus = to talk about this and that, to jump from one topic to another
patronyme (nm) = surname, family name
prépa / classe préparatoire (nf) = preparatory class
sauter / passer du coq à l'âne = to jump from one subject to another
trame (nf) = outline
Links

Le Café Immobilier (Facebook)
La Banque Alimentaire de Nouvelle-Calédonie
Boops Café (Facebook)
Apesa NC
Follow my Dream

Buy Full Notes

Melbourne-based French Australian painter Guy Trinquet, is a finalist in the 2021 Glover Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious landscape painting awards.
Vocab List
courbe (nf) = curve
donner le cafard = to make (sb) sad / depressed
flasher (sur…) = to fall (for…)
lauréat,e (n) = prizewinner
s'écailler = to flake / chip / peel off
Links and Resources

https://www.guytrinquet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guytrinquet.art/
Instagram: @guytrinquetart

This recording is in French, here’s the outline of what I talk about to help you follow:
A comeback video in a new environment: we’re in France! We’ve been settling down, enjoying family time after two years of separation, finally meeting my little (and very cute nephew), creating memories (e.g we took the kids to the snow!)
The children have started attending French school...on and off really, due to the absurd C*vid protocols in place here. Still, I’m hoping this will give me some time to resume working on French Your Way!
In 2021, I worked on a personal project (I’ll tell you about it when the right time comes) and spent quite a while in lockdown being my daughter’s private teacher. We also prepared our departure to France.
In order to help you with your French, I need YOU to give me your input, your feedback:

What is your biggest struggle about learning French? What do you need explanations/reinforcement with?
What type of content do you find most helpful to learn? (podcasts, online classes, eBooks?)

Please get in touch! Email me
/!\ Don’t forget: I explain French concepts in English. If you know me, you know that! 😉 For authentic conversations in French, check out my “French Voices” podcast.
Thanks for your patience while I wrap my head around things again and release new content! I am grateful for your support and your kindness.
Jessica
Subscribe to my newsletter.
Follow me on Facebook / Instagram

Buy Full Notes

Melbourne-based French Australian painter Guy Trinquet, is a finalist in the 2021 Glover Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious landscape painting awards.
Vocab List
croquis (nm) = sketch, rough outline, first draft
déceler = to detect, to spot
ébauche (nf) = sketch, rough outline, first draft
être tenu(e) de (faire quelque chose) = to be required / bound (to do sth)
gosse (n) = kid
gribouillage (nm) = scribble
grimper = to climb
passer (ça passe) = to be acceptable, to be admissible
subjuguer = to captivate, to enthrall, to conquer
tiquer = to twitch, to cringe
toile (nf) = canvas
vente aux enchères (nf) = auction
Links and Resources

https://www.guytrinquet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guytrinquet.art/
Instagram: @guytrinquetart

Buy Full Notes

In the second part of this interview with Belgian consul Pierre Steverlynck, we discuss the languages he speaks at home and at work - since Belgium is a multilingual country. You'll learn the difference between an ambassy and a consulate, what a "carte d'identité" may be used for (I know that not all countries have one such thing). Also find out how one becomes a diplomat. And, you'll hear about the "flying kit", a really cool system for expats living on faraway islands!
Vocab List
avancée sociale (nf) = advance, progress
chauvin,e (adj) = chauvinistic, partisan
concours (nm) = competitive exam
empreinte (digitale) (nf) = (finger) print
encadré,e (adj) = managed, supervised
examen d'entrée (nm) = entrance examination
flamandophone (n, adj) = Dutch-speaking
néerlandais,e (n, adj) = Dutch
QI (quotient intellectuel) (nm) = IQ
Links and Resources

https://france.diplomatie.belgium.be/fr
Also discover (or rediscover!) episode 80: About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée

Buy Full Notes

Pierre Steverlynck is a Belgian consul, a diplomat representing Belgium abroad. When we started the interview, I was nervous because I had been wondering for weeks what to call him. I was worried about coming across as impolite, not knowing whether I should call him "Pierre", "Monsieur", or any specific term of address related to his status. Find out the answer to this thorny issue in this first of two episodes of our conversation!

Pierre will tell us about his different missions and roles and will regularly draw parallels between the French and Belgian systems (uni, admin and diplomacy-wise), which is making this interview even more enriching!
Learn about the Belgian National Register, compulsory vote and the consequences for not voting, but also about some differences in how the French and Belgian speakers say the numbers 70 and 90... and how confusing this is even for us!
Vocab List
Affaires Etrangères (fem plur) = Foreign Affairs
CCD (contrat à durée déterminée) (nm) = fixed-term contract, temporary contract
enlever une épine du pied (de quelqu'un) = take a thorn out of [sb]'s side
lambda = average, regular, ordinary
rapatrier = to repatriate
ressortissant,e (n) = citizen, national
tour d'ivoire = ivory tower
trainer (avec quelqu'un) = to hang out (with someone)
visa long séjour (nm) = long stay visa
Links and Resources

https://france.diplomatie.belgium.be/fr
Also discover (or rediscover!) episode 80: About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée

Buy Full Notes

Natacha is a young Frenchwoman qui "a la patate" and a contagious passion for improvised play. She's the founder, coach, and one of the improvisers / actresses of The French Loop, a theatre company based in Melbourne. (If you also live in the area and would love to practice your French and have a go, Natacha welcomes non native speakers too, hint hint!).

In this second episode, Natacha is presenting the French Loop : who can attend ? From what age? We'll also talk about a not so well-known aspect of improvisation called social theatre / Shake Theatre. You'll see that this activity can be a fantastic, therapeutic tool. Finally, I love Natacha's message: everything is possible, don't take life too seriously!
Vocab List
avoir la patate (fam) = to be in a great mood, to feel in great shape
cérébrolésé,e (adj) = brain-damaged person
comédien,ne (n) = actor, actress
coulisses (fem plur) = backstage
envoyer du pâté (fam) = to be cool, to be badass, to be sick
éphémère (adj) = short-lived
exutoire (nm) = outlet, release
fac (nf) = uni
Links and Resources

https://www.thefrenchloop.com
The French Loop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrloop

Buy Full Notes

Natacha is a young Frenchwoman qui "a la patate" and a contagious passion for improvised play. She's the founder, coach, and one of the improvisers / actresses of The French Loop, a theatre company based in Melbourne. (If you also live in the area and would love to practice your French and have a go, Natacha welcomes non native speakers too, hint hint!).

In this first episode, we're discussing how Natacha pivoted to deal with the Covid-crisis, at a time when her classes could not operate normally and people needed entertainment. We'll also talk about her background and the history of the art of improvisation (which I was surprised to hear was very popular in Australia)!

https://www.thefrenchloop.com
The French Loop on Facebook

Vocab List
B A BA, b.a-ba (nm) = the ABC, the basics
carcan (nm) = constraint, rigidity, confinement
c'est chaud! (fam.) = it's tight / a close-run thing / a tall order ; heated (tense)
crève-cœur (nm, adj) = heartbreaking; heartbreaking situation
humour noir (nm) = black humour, dark humour
improvisateur, trice (n/adj) = improviser
joute verbale (nf) = verbal jousting, parring match
la petite souris = the tooth fairy
lâcher prise = to let go, to give in
levée (nf) = lifting, removal
niveau de langue (nm) = register, language level
personnage (nm) = character
piocher = to draw (a card); to pick up
rebondir = to bounce back
rigoler (fam) = to have a laugh
sur le tas = on the job, in the filed ; as you go along
tournée (de spectacle) (nf) = (show) tour

Buy Full Notes

Natacha is a young Frenchwoman qui "a la patate" and a contagious passion for improvised play. She's the founder, coach, and one of the improvisers / actresses of The French Loop, a theatre company based in Melbourne. (If you also live in the area and would love to practice your French and have a go, Natacha welcomes non native speakers too, hint hint!).

In this first episode, we're discussing how Natacha pivoted to deal with the Covid-crisis, at a time when her classes could not operate normally and people needed entertainment. We'll also talk about her background and the history of the art of improvisation (which I was surprised to hear was very popular in Australia)!

https://www.thefrenchloop.com
The French Loop on Facebook

Vocab List
B A BA, b.a-ba (nm) = the ABC, the basics
carcan (nm) = constraint, rigidity, confinement
c'est chaud! (fam.) = it's tight / a close-run thing / a tall order ; heated (tense)
crève-cœur (nm, adj) = heartbreaking; heartbreaking situation
humour noir (nm) = black humour, dark humour
improvisateur, trice (n/adj) = improviser
joute verbale (nf) = verbal jousting, parring match
la petite souris = the tooth fairy
lâcher prise = to let go, to give in
levée (nf) = lifting, removal
niveau de langue (nm) = register, language level
personnage (nm) = character
piocher = to draw (a card); to pick up
rebondir = to bounce back
rigoler (fam) = to have a laugh
sur le tas = on the job, in the filed ; as you go along
tournée (de spectacle) (nf) = (show) tour

Ceci n'est pas un épisode (nous profitons de quelques jours de vacances en famille), mais un petit message pour vous montrer que je ne vous ai pas oublié et, évidemment, vous souhaiter une bonne année et surtout une bonne santé pour 2021. Prenez soin de vous et rendez-vous le 15 janvier pour la première partie d'une belle interview avec Natacha de The French Loop !

Buy Full Notes
Meet François Forget, a planetary scientist at the Laboratoire de Météo Dynamique in Paris.  François is an atmospheric dynamicist: he and his team model other planetary atmospheres including Mars, Titan and exoplanets.
In this second episode, I asked François whether he thinks we will get to see a man go on Mars in our lifetime. What processes and challenges would this involve? What are the upcoming projects in terms of space exploration? François will also draw a parallel between space and Antarctica missions (he did spend time in Antarctica this year). The personality of people who live in a confined space in a hostile environment may well be the most important factor in a mission and the survival of its members.Part of François's work consists of modelling the environment of other planets: What are the scientific / practical applications of it? How can this help us understand our very own planet?The interview will end with the eye-opening, terrifying projection of what changes planet Earth is facing due to global warming. It's time to act NOW!!
A huge thank you to Mike W. for putting me in touch with François! If you too know someone who could make a great guest on the podcast, please introduce us!

François Forget's personal site

Watch lectures by François Forget online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5YOhUiwedg (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avByRwZzeuk (in French)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7v24dk (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVNOlo3xbQ (in English)

Vocab List
au delà = beyondbrouille (nf) = quarrel, disagreementcalotte polaire (nf) = polar (ice) capcarburant (nm) = fuelconfinement (nm) = confinement, lockdown, quarantineentre guillemets = in quotation marks, in quotesfusée (nf) = rockethivernage (nm) = wintering, overwinteringincendie (nm) = firelancer la pierre (à quelqu'un) = to judge (someone)navette (nf) = shuttlevaisseau (nm) = vessel, spaceship

Buy Full Notes

Meet François Forget, a planetary scientist at the Laboratoire de Météo Dynamique in Paris.  François is an atmospheric dynamicist: he and his team model other planetary atmospheres including Mars, Titan and exoplanets.

In this second episode, I asked François whether he thinks we will get to see a man go on Mars in our lifetime. What processes and challenges would this involve? What are the upcoming projects in terms of space exploration? François will also draw a parallel between space and Antarctica missions (he did spend time in Antarctica this year). The personality of people who live in a confined space in a hostile environment may well be the most important factor in a mission and the survival of its members.
Part of François's work consists of modelling the environment of other planets: What are the scientific / practical applications of it? How can this help us understand our very own planet?
The interview will end with the eye-opening, terrifying projection of what changes planet Earth is facing due to global warming. It's time to act NOW!!

A huge thank you to Mike W. for putting me in touch with François! If you too know someone who could make a great guest on the podcast, please introduce us!

François Forget's personal site

Watch lectures by François Forget online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5YOhUiwedg (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avByRwZzeuk (in French)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7v24dk (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVNOlo3xbQ (in English)

Vocab List
au delà = beyond
brouille (nf) = quarrel, disagreement
calotte polaire (nf) = polar (ice) cap
carburant (nm) = fuel
confinement (nm) = confinement, lockdown, quarantine
entre guillemets = in quotation marks, in quotes
fusée (nf) = rocket
hivernage (nm) = wintering, overwintering
incendie (nm) = fire
lancer la pierre (à quelqu'un) = to judge (someone)
navette (nf) = shuttle
vaisseau (nm) = vessel, spaceship

Buy Full Notes
Meet François Forget, a planetary scientist at the Laboratoire de Météo Dynamique in Paris.  François is an atmospheric dynamicist: he and his team model other planetary atmospheres including Mars, Titan and exoplanets.
In this first episode, François will explain in simple terms what he does. We'll also talk about Mars and what makes it such an interesting planet to study. Are we alone in the universe? Does life necessarily need water to develop? How can we look for evidence of water / life under the surface of planets we can't even reach? Listen in!

François Forget's personal site

Watch lectures by François Forget online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5YOhUiwedg (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avByRwZzeuk (in French)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7v24dk (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVNOlo3xbQ (in English)

Vocab List
ADN (nm) = DNAalizé (nm) = trade windchauvin,e (adj) = chauvinistic, partisan ; nationalisticeffarant,e (adj) = amazing, astounding ; alarming, frighteningétalon (nm) = benchmark, yardstickfaille (nf) = fault, rift (geology)indice (nm) = cluemener une enquête = to lead an investigationmilliard = billionmousson (nf) = monsoonnain,e (n, adj) = dwarfpas grand-chose = not muchplanétologue (n) = planetary scientist

Buy Full Notes

Meet François Forget, a planetary scientist at the Laboratoire de Météo Dynamique in Paris.  François is an atmospheric dynamicist: he and his team model other planetary atmospheres including Mars, Titan and exoplanets.

In this first episode, François will explain in simple terms what he does. We'll also talk about Mars and what makes it such an interesting planet to study. Are we alone in the universe? Does life necessarily need water to develop? How can we look for evidence of water / life under the surface of planets we can't even reach? Listen in!

François Forget's personal site

Watch lectures by François Forget online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5YOhUiwedg (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avByRwZzeuk (in French)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7v24dk (in French)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVNOlo3xbQ (in English)

Vocab List
ADN (nm) = DNA
alizé (nm) = trade wind
chauvin,e (adj) = chauvinistic, partisan ; nationalistic
effarant,e (adj) = amazing, astounding ; alarming, frightening
étalon (nm) = benchmark, yardstick
faille (nf) = fault, rift (geology)
indice (nm) = clue
mener une enquête = to lead an investigation
milliard = billion
mousson (nf) = monsoon
nain,e (n, adj) = dwarf
pas grand-chose = not much
planétologue (n) = planetary scientist

Buy Full Notes

Juliana founded the project "Prince.sse Si Je Veux" to help parents and teachers educate and encourage children between 5 and 12 years old to make their own choices by freeing them from gender stereotypes. You may be surprised to see how ingrained sexism is in our everyday life, and how, despite all our efforts, we as parents may be reenforcing such gender-related clichés - very innocently and subconsciously. It is very important to become aware of this since the way we raise our children often directly impacts their adult life.

In this second and final part, Juliana gives interesting tips and resources (youth literature recommendations) to help you raise awareness and deconstruct the gender stereotypes at home, with your children! We'll also talk about her definition of feminism (which is inclusive of males!), equality and the potential issues behind well-intended gallantry.

Do you find you're aware of the gender stereotypes in your daily life or country? Do you find that you're consciously making efforts to avoid them? How do you do this? Share your experience!

The related vocabulary list and full transcript are available: support your comprehension and support French Voices Podcast at the same!

Related links:

sse Si Je Veux
@princessesijeveux

Vocab List
à fond = flat-out (slang)
arc-en-ciel (nm) = rainbow
bienveillant,e (adj) = kind, kindly, benevolent
étincelle (nf) = spark
flagrant,e (adj) = obvious, blatant
galanterie (nf) = gallantry, chivalry
licorne (nf) = unicorn
monter (une interview, une vidéo) = to edit
onglet (nm) = tab
regain (nm) = renewal, revival

Buy Full Notes
Juliana founded the project "Prince.sse Si Je Veux" to help parents and teachers educate and encourage children between 5 and 12 years old to make their own choices by freeing them from gender stereotypes. You may be surprised to see how ingrained sexism is in our everyday life, and how, despite all our efforts, we as parents may be reenforcing such gender-related clichés - very innocently and subconsciously. It is very important to become aware of this since the way we raise our children often directly impacts their adult life.
In this second and final part, Juliana gives interesting tips and resources (youth literature recommendations) to help you raise awareness and deconstruct the gender stereotypes at home, with your children! We'll also talk about her definition of feminism (which is inclusive of males!), equality and the potential issues behind well-intended gallantry.
Do you find you're aware of the gender stereotypes in your daily life or country? Do you find that you're consciously making efforts to avoid them? How do you do this? Share your experience!
The related vocabulary list and full transcript are available: support your comprehension and support French Voices Podcast at the same!
Related links:

sse Si Je Veux
@princessesijeveux

Vocab List
à fond = flat-out (slang)arc-en-ciel (nm) = rainbowbienveillant,e (adj) = kind, kindly, benevolentétincelle (nf) = sparkflagrant,e (adj) = obvious, blatantgalanterie (nf) = gallantry, chivalrylicorne (nf) = unicornmonter (une interview, une vidéo) = to editonglet (nm) = tabregain (nm) = renewal, revival

Buy Full Notes

Juliana founded the project "Prince.sse Si Je Veux" to help parents and teachers educate and encourage children between 5 and 12 years old to make their own choices by freeing them from gender stereotypes. You may be surprised to see how ingrained sexism is in our everyday life, and how, despite all our efforts, we as parents may be reinforcing such gender-related clichés - very innocently and subconsciously. It is very important to become aware of this since the way we raise our children often directly impacts their adult life.

In this first part, Juliana talks about her background - both linguistic and professional, and how Prince.sse Si Je Veux was born. (We'll also explain why there's a dot sign in the middle of the first word!)

Make sure you listen to the introduction to learn several interesting French idiomatic expressions!

The related vocabulary list and full transcript are available: support your comprehension and support French Voices Podcast at the same!

Related links:

sse Si Je Veux
@princessesijeveux
"Inclusive writing": what is it and how does it work? - French Your Way Podcast, episode 148
70, 80 and 90 in French – Why are these numbers so weird? - French Your Way Podcast, episode 45:

Vocab List
accrocher (fig.) = to get on, get along / to click, to hit it off
câlin (nm) = cuddle
chouchouter = to pamper / to mollycoddle, to go soft on
cloisonner = to divide / to partition / to compartmentalise
course automobile (nf) = motor racing
en rester là = to call it quits, to leave it
être rodé(e) = to be highly experienced
gagne-pain (nm) = breadwinner, main earner
huitante = eighty
ingénieur(e) (n) = engineer
ludique (adj) = playful, fun / recreational
octante = eighty
pancarte (nf) = notice, sign / placard
point barre = full stop, period / end of story!

Buy Full Notes

Juliana founded the project "Prince.sse Si Je Veux" to help parents and teachers educate and encourage children between 5 and 12 years old to make their own choices by freeing them from gender stereotypes. You may be surprised to see how ingrained sexism is in our everyday life, and how, despite all our efforts, we as parents may be reinforcing such gender-related clichés - very innocently and subconsciously. It is very important to become aware of this since the way we raise our children often directly impacts their adult life.

In this first part, Juliana talks about her background - both linguistic and professional, and how Prince.sse Si Je Veux was born. (We'll also explain why there's a dot sign in the middle of the first word!)

Make sure you listen to the introduction to learn several interesting French idiomatic expressions!

The related vocabulary list and full transcript are available: support your comprehension and support French Voices Podcast at the same!

Related links:

sse Si Je Veux
@princessesijeveux
"Inclusive writing": what is it and how does it work? - French Your Way Podcast, episode 148
70, 80 and 90 in French – Why are these numbers so weird? - French Your Way Podcast, episode 45:

Vocab List
accrocher (fig.) = to get on, get along / to click, to hit it off
câlin (nm) = cuddle
chouchouter = to pamper / to mollycoddle, to go soft on
cloisonner = to divide / to partition / to compartmentalise
course automobile (nf) = motor racing
en rester là = to call it quits, to leave it
être rodé(e) = to be highly experienced
gagne-pain (nm) = breadwinner, main earner
huitante = eighty
ingénieur(e) (n) = engineer
ludique (adj) = playful, fun / recreational
octante = eighty
pancarte (nf) = notice, sign / placard
point barre = full stop, period / end of story!

Buy Full Notes

This episode may deeply change your perception of life and death. Open your mind to infinite possibilities and infinite hope as you open your ears to listen to Anne-Hélène Gramignano's testimonial. Anne-Hélène found very early on that she had the inherited gift of seeing and hearing people who had passed away. She now is dedicating a good chunk of her life helping people in grief by passing messages from their loved ones in the afterlife: Anne-Hélène is a medium with an important message for you.

Her autobiography has met a success she had not anticipated:  it became the #1 bestseller in New Caledonia where she now resides, made #1 on Amazon Canada and has already been translated in several languages.

As you will also find out, our interview took a very unexpected turn and left me very emotional and changed ever since. I honestly did NOT believe in the afterlife, but I did believe in Anne-Hélène's authenticity. And then something happened. Something that I have the incredible blessing to have on a recording for me to keep and always remember (and cherish)...
Vocab List
assassiner = to murder, to kill
au-delà (nm) = the hereafter, afterlife
avenir (nm) = future
avoir foi (en...) = to have faith (in...)
avoir un coup de mou = to feel limp / weak /lethargic
coéquipier, ière (n) = team-mate, partner
croire = to believe
décédé,e (adj) = deceased
défunt,e (n, adj) = deceased, dead
don (nm) = gift, talent
faire [son] intéressant,e = to show off
fantôme (nm) = ghost
gratitude (nf) = gratefulness
médiumnité (nf) = mediumship
prédire = to foresee, to predict
ressenti (nm) = perception, sense
voyant,e (n) = clairvoyant, psychic, fortune teller
Resources

Watch the full interview on my YouTube channel
Site "L'infini Espoir".
Page Facebook "L'infini Espoir 
Read in French: "L'infini Espoir" (Amazon affiliate link)
Read in English: "The Infinite Hope" (Amazon affiliate link)
"Me on the Radio!" (French Voices Podcast, episode 21)

Buy Full Notes

This episode may deeply change your perception of life and death. Open your mind to infinite possibilities and infinite hope as you open your ears to listen to Anne-Hélène Gramignano's testimonial. Anne-Hélène found very early on that she had the inherited gift of seeing and hearing people who had passed away. She now is dedicating a good chunk of her life helping people in grief by passing messages from their loved ones in the afterlife: Anne-Hélène is a medium with an important message for you.

Her autobiography has met a success she had not anticipated:  it became the #1 bestseller in New Caledonia where she now resides, made #1 on Amazon Canada and has already been translated in several languages.

As you will also find out, our interview took a very unexpected turn and left me very emotional and changed ever since. I honestly did NOT believe in the afterlife, but I did believe in Anne-Hélène's authenticity. And then something happened. Something that I have the incredible blessing to have on a recording for me to keep and always remember (and cherish)...
Vocab List
assassiner = to murder, to kill
au-delà (nm) = the hereafter, afterlife
avenir (nm) = future
avoir foi (en...) = to have faith (in...)
avoir un coup de mou = to feel limp / weak /lethargic
coéquipier, ière (n) = team-mate, partner
croire = to believe
décédé,e (adj) = deceased
défunt,e (n, adj) = deceased, dead
don (nm) = gift, talent
faire [son] intéressant,e = to show off
fantôme (nm) = ghost
gratitude (nf) = gratefulness
médiumnité (nf) = mediumship
prédire = to foresee, to predict
ressenti (nm) = perception, sense
voyant,e (n) = clairvoyant, psychic, fortune teller
Resources

Watch the full interview on my YouTube channel
Site "L'infini Espoir".
Page Facebook "L'infini Espoir 
Read in French: "L'infini Espoir" (Amazon affiliate link)
Read in English: "The Infinite Hope" (Amazon affiliate link)
"Me on the Radio!" (French Voices Podcast, episode 21)

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my conversation with Guillaume Doerig. We'll discuss two main topics:

His exposure to several cultures and languages
His passion for music and the recent release of "Mournful Melodies", his first album. Guillaume Doerig explains his creation process and how his style ties up with his personality and love of nature.

Check out more about Guillaume:

Birds of the World in Video (YouTube channel)
Spotify

Vocab List
corde (nf) = string (of instrument)
couche (nf) = layer
foyer (nm) = home, household
retomber / atterrir sur ses pattes = to land / fall on your feet
se débrouiller = to sort things out, to manage (with sth)

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my conversation with Guillaume Doerig. We'll discuss two main topics:

His exposure to several cultures and languages
His passion for music and the recent release of "Mournful Melodies", his first album. Guillaume Doerig explains his creation process and how his style ties up with his personality and love of nature.

Check out more about Guillaume:

Birds of the World in Video (YouTube channel)
Spotify

Vocab List
corde (nf) = string (of instrument)
couche (nf) = layer
foyer (nm) = home, household
retomber / atterrir sur ses pattes = to land / fall on your feet
se débrouiller = to sort things out, to manage (with sth)

Buy Full Notes

This is the first part of my conversation with Guillaume Doerig, a very friendly French man (who's not only French, but a citizen of the world!) living in Chile.

This episode focuses on his multicultural and multilingual upbringing - Guillaume will give his best advice on how to learn a foreign language - and his passion for bird watching. He's even started a YouTube channel aimed at listing the birds of the world in video. (See links below).

The full video interview is also available on YouTube.

Check out more about Guillaume:

Birds of the World in Video (YouTube channel)
Spotify

Vocab List
colline (nf) = hill
hibou (nm) = hibou
jumelles (nf plur) = binoculars
ornitho(logie( (nf) = ornithology, bird watching
ouïe (nf) = hearing
paperasse (nf) = (informal) papers, paperwork, forms
répertorier = to list, index, identify, repertory
révolte (nf) = riot
terre à terre = down to earth
trimbaler = to carry around, to lug around

Buy Full Notes

This is the first part of my conversation with Guillaume Doerig, a very friendly French man (who's not only French, but a citizen of the world!) living in Chile.

This episode focuses on his multicultural and multilingual upbringing - Guillaume will give his best advice on how to learn a foreign language - and his passion for bird watching. He's even started a YouTube channel aimed at listing the birds of the world in video. (See links below).

The full video interview is also available on YouTube.

Check out more about Guillaume:

Birds of the World in Video (YouTube channel)
Spotify

Vocab List
colline (nf) = hill
hibou (nm) = hibou
jumelles (nf plur) = binoculars
ornitho(logie( (nf) = ornithology, bird watching
ouïe (nf) = hearing
paperasse (nf) = (informal) papers, paperwork, forms
répertorier = to list, index, identify, repertory
révolte (nf) = riot
terre à terre = down to earth
trimbaler = to carry around, to lug around

I want to apologise because there won’t be an episode coming out on September 1st as I ran out of interviews!! Getting in touch with potential new guests can be a (painfully) long process; so many people I reached out to haven’t replied to me (did they even see my email?), and I’ve had a few "Yesses" which turned into "Noes", especially as people are quite overwhelmed in the current context and don’t always have room in their mind and schedule for me...

There will however be a new episode on September 15th. I’m still working on the interview. (If you haven’t done so already, turn on the notifications on your Podcast App so you know when an episode is out.) Thanks for your patience!

If you can put me in touch with a passionate, interesting native French speaker, I welcome your suggestions with pleasure! 😉

Contact Me

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my interview with Fabien de Valroger, a Frenchman passionate about the iconic, French car that is the Deux Chevaux (2CV). Even if you are usually not interested in cars, I promise you’ll thoroughly enjoy the conversation!

In this episode, Fabien will share how / when he fell in love with the 2CV. He’s also describing the four cars he owns, their story and specificities…we can even say their personalities!

His collection includes the “Bicéphale”: find out about this incredible two-headed car and the story behind its invention! You’ll also learn about an all-plastic 2CV which crossed the USA and almost melted in the Californian Death Valley!

We’ll also talk about how to estimate/value the price of these beloved cars on the market today and why the 2CV is a symbol uniting all French people regardless of their social class or financial situation.

This really is a feel-good episode!

Souriez c'est l'été ! (YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVP2tSJgdbU
2cv sur la braise ! 2cv bicéphale en pleine action ! (YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwNHIe7tUXw#t=48
‪La 2cv bicéphale des pompiers du Var (YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYJslzWIISg
De San Francisco à Houston en Méhari ! (YouTube ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jMmEMgJRy8&t=51s

Vocab List
avoir la banane = to be happy, to have a smile all over your face
capital sympathie (nm) = capacity for sympathy / empathy
carrosserie (nf) = car body
caserne (de pompiers) (nf) = fire station
citerne (nf) = cistern, tank
connu comme le loup blanc = known to everyone, very well known
couinement (nm) = squeaky sound
couiner = to squeak
ferraille (nf) = scrap iron
froncer les sourcils = to frown
gouffre financier (nm) = money pit
lance (nf) = hose
marche arrière (nf) = reverse gear
pompier (nm) = fireman, fire fighter
restaurer = to restore, renovate, refurbish
rouillé, e (adj) = rusted
rouiller = to rust
s'en sortir = to cope, to get by, to get through
tas de ferraille (nm) = pile of scrap
tuyau d'arrosage (nm) = hose

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my interview with Fabien de Valroger, a Frenchman passionate about the iconic, French car that is the Deux Chevaux (2CV). Even if you are usually not interested in cars, I promise you’ll thoroughly enjoy the conversation!

In this episode, Fabien will share how / when he fell in love with the 2CV. He’s also describing the four cars he owns, their story and specificities…we can even say their personalities!

His collection includes the “Bicéphale”: find out about this incredible two-headed car and the story behind its invention! You’ll also learn about an all-plastic 2CV which crossed the USA and almost melted in the Californian Death Valley!

We’ll also talk about how to estimate/value the price of these beloved cars on the market today and why the 2CV is a symbol uniting all French people regardless of their social class or financial situation.

This really is a feel-good episode!

Souriez c'est l'été ! (YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVP2tSJgdbU
2cv sur la braise ! 2cv bicéphale en pleine action ! (YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwNHIe7tUXw#t=48
‪La 2cv bicéphale des pompiers du Var (YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYJslzWIISg
De San Francisco à Houston en Méhari ! (YouTube ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jMmEMgJRy8&t=51s

Vocab List
avoir la banane = to be happy, to have a smile all over your face
capital sympathie (nm) = capacity for sympathy / empathy
carrosserie (nf) = car body
caserne (de pompiers) (nf) = fire station
citerne (nf) = cistern, tank
connu comme le loup blanc = known to everyone, very well known
couinement (nm) = squeaky sound
couiner = to squeak
ferraille (nf) = scrap iron
froncer les sourcils = to frown
gouffre financier (nm) = money pit
lance (nf) = hose
marche arrière (nf) = reverse gear
pompier (nm) = fireman, fire fighter
restaurer = to restore, renovate, refurbish
rouillé, e (adj) = rusted
rouiller = to rust
s'en sortir = to cope, to get by, to get through
tas de ferraille (nm) = pile of scrap
tuyau d'arrosage (nm) = hose

Buy Full Notes

Fabien de Valroger is truly passionate about the most iconic, vintage French car that is the Deux Chevaux (2CV). Along with the Eiffel Tower and the French baguette, the 2CV is a symbol of France as virtually every French person has owned one at the time or had some memories attached to it. Why was it so popular?

In this episode, you’ll also find out about the historical context of its appearance on the market, some (pretty) dangerous features such as “les portes-suicide”, how easy it is to find spare parts to fix a car that’s no longer manufactured, whether the oldest 2CV are still allowed to be on the road, which will give you an interesting insight of the law in France. This episode includes a lot of useful vocabulary about car parts… That’s always handy if you break down while travelling!

2CV lovers also enjoy the state of mind and lifestyle which come with the car: taking your time, being slow, taking the scenic small roads.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey!

Souriez c'est l'été ! (YouTube)
2cv sur la braise ! 2cv bicéphale en pleine action ! (YouTube)
‪La 2cv bicéphale des pompiers du Var (YouTube)
De San Francisco à Houston en Méhari ! (YouTube )

Vocab List
autoradio (nm) = car radio
cahier des charges (nm) = (bill of) specifications
capot (nm) = bonnet
carte grise (nf) = car registration document
ceinture de sécurité ( nf) = seat belt
chaussée (nf) = road
cheval,aux (nm) = horsepower
clignotant (nm) = indicator
ESP (contrôle électronique de la trajectoire) (nm) = Electronic Stability Program
essuie-glace (nm) = windscreen wiper
être mordu(e) (de qch) = to be a fan (of sth)
feu stop = break light, stop light
haut de gamme (adj) = premium, high standard
macaron (nm) = sticker
passer aux Mines = to get the roadworthy certificate
pièce (nf) = spare part
rétroviseur (Nm) = rear-view mirror, side mirror
siège (nm) = seat
volant (nm) = steering wheel

Buy Full Notes

Fabien de Valroger is truly passionate about the most iconic, vintage French car that is the Deux Chevaux (2CV). Along with the Eiffel Tower and the French baguette, the 2CV is a symbol of France as virtually every French person has owned one at the time or had some memories attached to it. Why was it so popular?

In this episode, you’ll also find out about the historical context of its appearance on the market, some (pretty) dangerous features such as “les portes-suicide”, how easy it is to find spare parts to fix a car that’s no longer manufactured, whether the oldest 2CV are still allowed to be on the road, which will give you an interesting insight of the law in France. This episode includes a lot of useful vocabulary about car parts… That’s always handy if you break down while travelling!

2CV lovers also enjoy the state of mind and lifestyle which come with the car: taking your time, being slow, taking the scenic small roads.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey!

Souriez c'est l'été ! (YouTube)
2cv sur la braise ! 2cv bicéphale en pleine action ! (YouTube)
‪La 2cv bicéphale des pompiers du Var (YouTube)
De San Francisco à Houston en Méhari ! (YouTube )

Vocab List
autoradio (nm) = car radio
cahier des charges (nm) = (bill of) specifications
capot (nm) = bonnet
carte grise (nf) = car registration document
ceinture de sécurité ( nf) = seat belt
chaussée (nf) = road
cheval,aux (nm) = horsepower
clignotant (nm) = indicator
ESP (contrôle électronique de la trajectoire) (nm) = Electronic Stability Program
essuie-glace (nm) = windscreen wiper
être mordu(e) (de qch) = to be a fan (of sth)
feu stop = break light, stop light
haut de gamme (adj) = premium, high standard
macaron (nm) = sticker
passer aux Mines = to get the roadworthy certificate
pièce (nf) = spare part
rétroviseur (Nm) = rear-view mirror, side mirror
siège (nm) = seat
volant (nm) = steering wheel

Buy Full Notes

Frenchwoman Marjorie and her husband are part of a not-for-profit organisation helping the Nepalese people with sustainable actions. CASD Australia has been helping villages to get access to drinking water, empower women, facilitating access to education, creating local workforce in Nepal. Listen to Marjorie’s recount of the situation in Nepal (especially after the devastating earthquake) and consider supporting the organisation yourself!

Site CASD Australia
CASD Australia (Facebook)

Vocab List
approvisionement (nm) = supply
bénévole (n, adj) = volunteer
cruche (nf) = jug
durable (adj) = sustainable
potable (adj) = drinkable, drinking
puits (nm) = well
SDF (n) = Sans Domicile Fixe = homeless person
se tarir = to dry up, to run dry ; to run out
source (nf) = spring
tremblement de terre (nm) = earthquake
tuyauterie (nf) = piping, pipework ; pipes

Buy Full Notes

Frenchwoman Marjorie and her husband are part of a not-for-profit organisation helping the Nepalese people with sustainable actions. CASD Australia has been helping villages to get access to drinking water, empower women, facilitating access to education, creating local workforce in Nepal. Listen to Marjorie’s recount of the situation in Nepal (especially after the devastating earthquake) and consider supporting the organisation yourself!

Site CASD Australia
CASD Australia (Facebook)

Vocab List
approvisionement (nm) = supply
bénévole (n, adj) = volunteer
cruche (nf) = jug
durable (adj) = sustainable
potable (adj) = drinkable, drinking
puits (nm) = well
SDF (n) = Sans Domicile Fixe = homeless person
se tarir = to dry up, to run dry ; to run out
source (nf) = spring
tremblement de terre (nm) = earthquake
tuyauterie (nf) = piping, pipework ; pipes

Buy Full Notes

Gilles Malezieux worked at the Louvre Museum for 25 years and allows you to have a peep inside the life of the largest and most famous museum in the world. We’ll talk about why the Mona Lisa ("La Joconde", in French!) is so famous, the hidden passages of the Louvre as well as some stories Gilles experienced why working as a security guard. There will also be a bit of art history (or should we say, business) where you’ll find out why there are many French impressionist paintings displayed in the USA!

This is the second part of a two-episode conversation with Gilles. In the previous episode (French Voices, episode 112), Gilles is telling about the work of a copyist and how to get granted access to the Louvre to copy master painters.
Visit Gilles’s website
Thank you to Nancy for putting me in touch with Gilles! If you’d like to recommend a guest for French Voices, email me!

Vocab List
blindé, e (adj) = reinforced, bulletproof
chantier (nm) = construction site
clim (nf) (slang) = air con
conservateur,trice de musée (n) = museum curator
dérobé, e (adj) = secret, hidden
détonner = to clash, to be incongruous
en voir des vertes et des pas mûres = to see some things that are difficult to digest ; to see some astonishing sights
être à cheval sur (qch) = to be a stickler for (sth)
faire un froid de canard = to be icy cold
la Joconde = the Mona Lisa
marchand,e (n) = merchand, seller
occidental,e (n, adj) = Western
oeuvre (nf) = work, masterpiece
que dalle (fam.) = nothing, zilch

Buy Full Notes

Gilles Malezieux worked at the Louvre Museum for 25 years and allows you to have a peep inside the life of the largest and most famous museum in the world. We’ll talk about why the Mona Lisa ("La Joconde", in French!) is so famous, the hidden passages of the Louvre as well as some stories Gilles experienced why working as a security guard. There will also be a bit of art history (or should we say, business) where you’ll find out why there are many French impressionist paintings displayed in the USA!

This is the second part of a two-episode conversation with Gilles. In the previous episode (French Voices, episode 112), Gilles is telling about the work of a copyist and how to get granted access to the Louvre to copy master painters.
Visit Gilles’s website
Thank you to Nancy for putting me in touch with Gilles! If you’d like to recommend a guest for French Voices, email me!

Vocab List
blindé, e (adj) = reinforced, bulletproof
chantier (nm) = construction site
clim (nf) (slang) = air con
conservateur,trice de musée (n) = museum curator
dérobé, e (adj) = secret, hidden
détonner = to clash, to be incongruous
en voir des vertes et des pas mûres = to see some things that are difficult to digest ; to see some astonishing sights
être à cheval sur (qch) = to be a stickler for (sth)
faire un froid de canard = to be icy cold
la Joconde = the Mona Lisa
marchand,e (n) = merchand, seller
occidental,e (n, adj) = Western
oeuvre (nf) = work, masterpiece
que dalle (fam.) = nothing, zilch

Buy Full Notes

Did you know you can get free access at the Louvre museum for a chance study and copy some of the masterpieces exhibited there? Gilles Malezieux is an artist who has copied many paintings in the largest and most famous museum of the world. As he will guide you through the application process and rules to get access to the Louvre, you’ll learn some interesting facts about how the museum operates. We’ll also discuss the differences between a copy and a fake, and the strict rules around the work of a copyist!

This is the first part of a two-episode conversation with Gilles.

Visit Gilles’s website
Vocab List
à la commande = upon order, to order
appréhender = to comprehend, grasp, understand
artisan = craftsperson
chevalet (nm) = easel
coefficient (nm) = coefficient, mulpiplying factor
déjanté,e (adj) = crazy, mad, nutty
faire ses armes = to earn your stripes
faussaire (nm) = forger, counterfeiter
format (nm) = size, format
justificatif de domicile (nm) = proof of address
lambda = average, ordinary, regular
maître (nm) = master
quadrillage (nm) = quartering, grid pattern
tabouret (nm) = stool

Buy Full Notes

Did you know you can get free access at the Louvre museum for a chance study and copy some of the masterpieces exhibited there? Gilles Malezieux is an artist who has copied many paintings in the largest and most famous museum of the world. As he will guide you through the application process and rules to get access to the Louvre, you’ll learn some interesting facts about how the museum operates. We’ll also discuss the differences between a copy and a fake, and the strict rules around the work of a copyist!

This is the first part of a two-episode conversation with Gilles.

Visit Gilles’s website
Vocab List
à la commande = upon order, to order
appréhender = to comprehend, grasp, understand
artisan = craftsperson
chevalet (nm) = easel
coefficient (nm) = coefficient, mulpiplying factor
déjanté,e (adj) = crazy, mad, nutty
faire ses armes = to earn your stripes
faussaire (nm) = forger, counterfeiter
format (nm) = size, format
justificatif de domicile (nm) = proof of address
lambda = average, ordinary, regular
maître (nm) = master
quadrillage (nm) = quartering, grid pattern
tabouret (nm) = stool

Buy Full Notes

Aurélie is an interpreter who is part of l’Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC).

In this episode, Aurélie will share what she finds the most challenging and stressful about her work. What happens when you don’t know a word?

Aurélie will also give you her top 2 tips to improve in French, particularly your French listening skills!

If you love everything about languages, don’t miss this fascinating interview!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will also love:
French Voices, episode 1: "The girl behind our subtitles "

Listen to different French accents (from French regional accents or other French-speaking countries):

French Voices 002 : La Licorne - The Authentic "Savon de Marseille" Manufacture
French Voices 019 : Virologist Serge Talks About his Work, the Difference Between French in Quebec and France, and Dancing
French Voices 028 : Discover New Caledonia (Part 1)
French Voices 030 : Discover New Caledonia (Part 2)
French Voices 076 : (Part 1) Marie-Louise Gay, author and illustrator for children
French Voices 077 : (Part 2) Marie-Louise Gay, author and illustrator for children
French Voices 080 : (Part 1) About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
French Voices 081 : (Part 2) About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée

Vocab List
bagage culturel (nm) = cultural baggage / background
conférence (nf) = lecture, seminar
enjeu (nm) = the stakes
ONU / Organisation des Nations Unies = the UN
perdre le fil (de …) = to lose the thread, to lose track (of…)
périphrase (nf) = periphrasis, circumlocution
peser ses mots = to weigh your words
pointu,e (adj) = in depth, specialised (topic)
réfléchi,e (adj) = well thought of, considered
se corser = to complicate
se lancer dans le vide = to take the plunge
syndicat (nm) = trade union

Buy Full Notes

Aurélie is an interpreter who is part of l’Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC).

In this episode, Aurélie will share what she finds the most challenging and stressful about her work. What happens when you don’t know a word?

Aurélie will also give you her top 2 tips to improve in French, particularly your French listening skills!

If you love everything about languages, don’t miss this fascinating interview!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will also love:
French Voices, episode 1: "The girl behind our subtitles "

Listen to different French accents (from French regional accents or other French-speaking countries):

French Voices 002 : La Licorne - The Authentic "Savon de Marseille" Manufacture
French Voices 019 : Virologist Serge Talks About his Work, the Difference Between French in Quebec and France, and Dancing
French Voices 028 : Discover New Caledonia (Part 1)
French Voices 030 : Discover New Caledonia (Part 2)
French Voices 076 : (Part 1) Marie-Louise Gay, author and illustrator for children
French Voices 077 : (Part 2) Marie-Louise Gay, author and illustrator for children
French Voices 080 : (Part 1) About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
French Voices 081 : (Part 2) About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée

Vocab List
bagage culturel (nm) = cultural baggage / background
conférence (nf) = lecture, seminar
enjeu (nm) = the stakes
ONU / Organisation des Nations Unies = the UN
perdre le fil (de …) = to lose the thread, to lose track (of…)
périphrase (nf) = periphrasis, circumlocution
peser ses mots = to weigh your words
pointu,e (adj) = in depth, specialised (topic)
réfléchi,e (adj) = well thought of, considered
se corser = to complicate
se lancer dans le vide = to take the plunge
syndicat (nm) = trade union

Buy Full Notes

Aurélie is an interpreter who is part of l’Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC). In this episode, find out about her background and what led her to become an interpreter. We’ll also talk about how you get trained to learn to translate in real time and the different types of translations.

If you love everything about languages, don’t miss this fascinating interview!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will also love:

French Voices, episode 1: "The girl behind our subtitles "
Vocab List
cabine (nf) = booth
chuchoter = to whisper
confiance en soi (nf) = self confidence
CP / Cours Prépqrqtoire (nm) = (first year of primary school)
discours (nm) = speech
écouteurs (nm) = headphones
fidèle (nm) = faithful, true
former quelqu'un = to train someone
francophone (n, adj) = French-speaker, French-speaking
grande section (nf) = (last year of prep school / kinder)
hispanophone (n, adj) = Spanish-speaker, Spanish-speaking
Il n'en demeure pas moins que… = the fact remains that…
interprète (n) = interpreter
interrompre = to interrupt
niveau de langue (nm) = register, level of language
résumé (nm) = summary
support (nm) = the media, fomat, material
tournure (nf) = structure, construction (of sentence, expression)
traducteur, -trice (n) = translator
traduction (nf) = translation

Buy Full Notes

Aurélie is an interpreter who is part of l’Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC). In this episode, find out about her background and what led her to become an interpreter. We’ll also talk about how you get trained to learn to translate in real time and the different types of translations.

If you love everything about languages, don’t miss this fascinating interview!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will also love:

French Voices, episode 1: "The girl behind our subtitles "
Vocab List
cabine (nf) = booth
chuchoter = to whisper
confiance en soi (nf) = self confidence
CP / Cours Prépqrqtoire (nm) = (first year of primary school)
discours (nm) = speech
écouteurs (nm) = headphones
fidèle (nm) = faithful, true
former quelqu'un = to train someone
francophone (n, adj) = French-speaker, French-speaking
grande section (nf) = (last year of prep school / kinder)
hispanophone (n, adj) = Spanish-speaker, Spanish-speaking
Il n'en demeure pas moins que… = the fact remains that…
interprète (n) = interpreter
interrompre = to interrupt
niveau de langue (nm) = register, level of language
résumé (nm) = summary
support (nm) = the media, fomat, material
tournure (nf) = structure, construction (of sentence, expression)
traducteur, -trice (n) = translator
traduction (nf) = translation

Buy Full Notes

Florent Baraban is an optician and glasses maker who is giving a second life to skateboards by recycling them into glasses, pens, and much more. Whether you’re a skateboarding fan or not, you’ll be impressed with how each step of the process is carefully thought of to minimise waste. Find out how the idea came to this talented young man with so much passion and care for the planet. You’ll also understand why his brand is called 7Plis. A truly interesting and inspiring episode!
Vocab List
boutons de manchette (nm) = cufflinks
branche (de lunette) (nf) = arm (of glasses)
brevet (nm) = patent
cartouche (de stylo) (nf) = ink cartridge
chutes (nf) = leftovers
conditions d'entretien (nf) = maintenance guide
copeau (nm) = shaving, chip, curl
courbure (nf) = curve
érable (nm) = maple tree
fraiseuse (nf) = milling machine
galbe (nm) = contours, curve, form, shape
graveur (nm) = engraving machine, burner
montre (nf) = watch
noeud papillon (nm) = bow tie
opticien,ne (n) = optician
planche (nf) = board
sciure (nf) = sawdust
stylo (à) plume (nm) = fountain pen
tenir à coeur = to be important to, to be (a cause) close to your heart, to matter
tour à bois (nm) = wood lathe
zéro déchet (nm) = zero waste
Links & Resources

7 Plis – Skateboard recyclé
https://www.facebook.com/7plis/
https://www.instagram.com/7plis/
https://twitter.com/7pliseyewear
Article: http://barbichette.fr/7plis-lunettes-en-planches-de-skate-recyclees/
Article "7PLIS OU L’ART DE FAIRE DES LUNETTES EN BOIS AVEC DES SKATE"

Buy Full Notes

Florent Baraban is an optician and glasses maker who is giving a second life to skateboards by recycling them into glasses, pens, and much more. Whether you’re a skateboarding fan or not, you’ll be impressed with how each step of the process is carefully thought of to minimise waste. Find out how the idea came to this talented young man with so much passion and care for the planet. You’ll also understand why his brand is called 7Plis. A truly interesting and inspiring episode!
Vocab List
boutons de manchette (nm) = cufflinks
branche (de lunette) (nf) = arm (of glasses)
brevet (nm) = patent
cartouche (de stylo) (nf) = ink cartridge
chutes (nf) = leftovers
conditions d'entretien (nf) = maintenance guide
copeau (nm) = shaving, chip, curl
courbure (nf) = curve
érable (nm) = maple tree
fraiseuse (nf) = milling machine
galbe (nm) = contours, curve, form, shape
graveur (nm) = engraving machine, burner
montre (nf) = watch
noeud papillon (nm) = bow tie
opticien,ne (n) = optician
planche (nf) = board
sciure (nf) = sawdust
stylo (à) plume (nm) = fountain pen
tenir à coeur = to be important to, to be (a cause) close to your heart, to matter
tour à bois (nm) = wood lathe
zéro déchet (nm) = zero waste
Links & Resources

7 Plis – Skateboard recyclé
https://www.facebook.com/7plis/
https://www.instagram.com/7plis/
https://twitter.com/7pliseyewear
Article: http://barbichette.fr/7plis-lunettes-en-planches-de-skate-recyclees/
Article "7PLIS OU L’ART DE FAIRE DES LUNETTES EN BOIS AVEC DES SKATE"

Buy Full Notes

Interview with Steve Kaufmann, one of YouTube's most famous polyglots and co-founder of LingQ, an online platform offering language-learning courses in 14 languages.

Steve has learnt around 20 (yes, 20!!!) languages in his life. Find out more about his background, how he came to learn French and, more importantly, about his method to learn a new language.

This interview is a must-listen for every language student. It was fascinating to discuss language learning with Steve and compare our approaches. I hope you’ll get great tips out of it as well as a motivation boost 😊

Note: Get the transcript of the full interview (Parts 1 and 2) for the price of one!
Vocab List
bancal,e (adj) = wobbly
base de donnés (nf) = database
en ligne = online
langue cible (nf) = target language
sauvegarder = to save (a file, a document)
s'habituer (à …) = to get used (to …)
surligner = to highlight
Links & Resources

Find Steve on YouTube
Watch the full interview on Youtube!
Get an exclusive 35% discount off LingQ's 1 Year Plan
"What type of teacher do you have?" (killing teacher vs killer teacher)
Introduction to the subjunctive (Part 1)
Masculine or Feminine? Telling the Gender of French Nouns

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Interview with Steve Kaufmann, one of YouTube's most famous polyglots and co-founder of LingQ, an online platform offering language-learning courses in 14 languages.

Steve has learnt around 20 (yes, 20!!!) languages in his life. Find out more about his background, how he came to learn French and, more importantly, about his method to learn a new language.

This interview is a must-listen for every language student. It was fascinating to discuss language learning with Steve and compare our approaches. I hope you’ll get great tips out of it as well as a motivation boost 😊

Note: Get the transcript of the full interview (Parts 1 and 2) for the price of one!
Vocab List
bancal,e (adj) = wobbly
base de donnés (nf) = database
en ligne = online
langue cible (nf) = target language
sauvegarder = to save (a file, a document)
s'habituer (à …) = to get used (to …)
surligner = to highlight
Links & Resources

Find Steve on YouTube
Watch the full interview on Youtube!
Get an exclusive 35% discount off LingQ's 1 Year Plan
"What type of teacher do you have?" (killing teacher vs killer teacher)
Introduction to the subjunctive (Part 1)
Masculine or Feminine? Telling the Gender of French Nouns

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes
Interview with Steve Kaufmann, one of YouTube's most famous polyglots and co-founder of LingQ, an online platform offering language-learning courses in 14 languages.
Steve has learnt around 20 (yes, 20!!!) languages in his life. Find out more about his background, how he came to learn French and, more importantly, about his method to learn a new language.
This interview is a must-listen for every language student. It was fascinating to discuss language learning with Steve and compare our approaches. I hope you’ll get great tips out of it as well as a motivation boost 😊
Note: Get the transcript of the full interview (Parts 1 and 2) for the price of one!
Vocab List
apprentissage des langues (nm) = language learningcerveau (nm) = braincouramment (parler couramment) = fluentlydéfi (nm) = challengedoué(e) pour… = gifted/talented forfeuilleton (nm) = serial, series (tv)forcément = inevitably, sure to, bound topolyglotte (n, adj) = polyglot (n, adj) ; multilingual (adj)Sciences Po (Politiques) = (Paris Institute of Political Studies, a pretigious university in France)Suède (nf) = Sweden
Links & Resources

Find Steve on YouTube
Watch the full interview on Youtube! 
Get an exclusive 35% discount off LingQ's 1 Year Plan
"What type of teacher do you have?" (killing teacher vs killer teacher)
Introduction to the subjunctive (Part 1)
Masculine or Feminine? Telling the Gender of French Nouns

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Interview with Steve Kaufmann, one of YouTube's most famous polyglots and co-founder of LingQ, an online platform offering language-learning courses in 14 languages.

Steve has learnt around 20 (yes, 20!!!) languages in his life. Find out more about his background, how he came to learn French and, more importantly, about his method to learn a new language.

This interview is a must-listen for every language student. It was fascinating to discuss language learning with Steve and compare our approaches. I hope you’ll get great tips out of it as well as a motivation boost 😊

Note: Get the transcript of the full interview (Parts 1 and 2) for the price of one!
Vocab List
apprentissage des langues (nm) = language learning
cerveau (nm) = brain
couramment (parler couramment) = fluently
défi (nm) = challenge
doué(e) pour… = gifted/talented for
feuilleton (nm) = serial, series (tv)
forcément = inevitably, sure to, bound to
polyglotte (n, adj) = polyglot (n, adj) ; multilingual (adj)
Sciences Po (Politiques) = (Paris Institute of Political Studies, a pretigious university in France)
Suède (nf) = Sweden
Links & Resources

Find Steve on YouTube
Watch the full interview on Youtube!
Get an exclusive 35% discount off LingQ's 1 Year Plan
"What type of teacher do you have?" (killing teacher vs killer teacher)
Introduction to the subjunctive (Part 1)
Masculine or Feminine? Telling the Gender of French Nouns

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

This episode is the second part of my conversation with Hélène, a former driving instructor from France who will share information about driving in France. Compare with your own country!

We'll start with talking about the speed limits and recent changes about them in France. Why so much controversy, and what are the reasons behind these changes? Find out why there often are trees along the road, which I'm raising as something particularly illogical and dangerous. However, we'll learn that there are good reasons for this! We'll also tell you about la priorité à droite, a very important road rule that may not exist in your country. What does a French driving licence look like and how long is it valid for? Do foreigners need an international licence to drive in France? Listen to find out!

Also check out the links in the shownotes for more tips about driving in France and the link to a fun comedy, "Un Point c'est tout", where reckless drivers attend a worksop to get points back on their licence.
Vocab List
autoroute (nf) = freeway
chaussée (nf) = road, roadway
cinétique (adj) = kinetic
clignotant (nm) = indicator
espacer = to space out
essuie-glace (nm) = wiper
manette (nf) = lever, hand command
méfiant,e (adj) = cautious, wary
panneau (nm) = road sign
piéger = to trap, to trick
piéton,ne (n / adj) = pedestrian
poteau (nm) = pole, post
puce (nf) = chip
radar (nm) = speed camera
ralentir = to slow down
rond-point (nm) = roundabout
sens unique (nm) = one-way
signalisation (nf) = signing, marking, signals
terre-plein central (nm) = median strip
tronçon (nm) = (road) section
trottoir (nm) = footpath
virage (nm) = bend, turn, curve
voie (nf) = lane
Questions:

Why are there trees along the roads?
Which hand commands / levers are inverted on Australian cars and European cars?
What used to be the nickname for the French driving licence?

Answers:

It's to artificially add a bit of danger and make drivers more cautious: if a straight line was clear, they would tend to drive faster and take more risks. It's psychological!
The windscreen wipers and the indicators!
Le petit papier rose

Links & Resources

French Your Way Podcast, Episode 75: "France Travel Tips (PART 3): Driving": frenchyourway.com.au/podcast75
"Tips for driving in France" (article)
"Un Point c'est tout" (théâtre, Laurent Baffie)

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Hélène is a very energetic French woman who loves her career working in road safety. As a former driving instructor, she'll share driving tips and will tell you how you get your driving licence in France. Compare with your own country!

In this first episode, we'll discuss the name given to her occupation. We'll also talk about the point system in France, how it works and what happens when you lose points. Hélène will take you through the process of how you get your driving licence in France (there are a theory test and a practical test). What happens on test day and which mistakes are eliminatory? What do learners typically find the most challenging about driving? Listen to find out!

Also check out the links in the shownotes for more tips about driving in France.
Vocab List
agglomération (nf) = conurbation, urban area
auto-école (nf) = driving school
capot (nm) = bonnet, hood
ceinture (nf) = seatbelt
chauffard (nm) = road hog
code (de la route) (nm) = driving theory test
créneau (nm) = parallel parking
débrayer = to declutch, disengage the clutch
embrayage (nm) = clutch
embrayer = to engage, to put in gear
essuie-glace (nm) = windcreen wiper
excès de vitesse (nm) = speeding
frein (nm) = brake
freiner = to brake
griller un feu (rouge) = to run a red light
pare-brise (nm) = windscreen, windshield
permis (de conduire) (nm) = driving licence
vitesse (nf) = speed; gear
Questions:

What is the official name and what is the commonly used name to refer to Hélène's occupation?
When in the earliest age when you can get your driving licence in France?
What 3 types of things are being assessed during the driving exam?
Why can't the learner know straight away whether he passed or failed the driving test?

Answers:

Officially: "enseignant(e) de la conduite". Commonly referred as "moniteur/trice d'auto-école".
18 years of age.
Driving, manoeuvring the car at least once and answering 2 questions (one indoor, one outdoor) about finding where a command is or check something on the car.
This isn't done anymore since driving instructors have been abused/physically aggressed when the learner had failed.

Links & Resources

French Your Way Podcast, Episode 75: "France Travel Tips (PART 3): Driving": frenchyourway.com.au/podcast75
"Tips for driving in France" (article)

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of a fascinating conversation with my uncle Sébastien! I heard that he was changing career and had become passionate about EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). That was enough to trigger my curiosity and want to find out more about the story behind this change, and more about what EFT is about. Emotional Freedom Technique, which belongs to the field of energetic psychology, is an alternative treatment / form of counselling for both physical and emotional pain. It is said to be very efficient to help with anxiety, trauma, phobias. Many different techniques can apply to treat a patient with EFT, including tapping (stimulating meridians on our body to send new signals to our brain), hypnosis, NeuroLinguistic Programming, matrix reprogramming (visiting and talking to oneself as a child). We'll talk about the relationship between the patient and therapist and the mandatory trust between them both. You may also be surprised to find out that there may actually be (subconscious) secondary benefits to a person's ailments. You'll learn how the therapist can use a type of lie detector to be aware of this resistance!
Vocab List
cobaye (n) = guinea pig
enfance (nf) = childhood
faire confiance (à qn) = to trust (sb)
fausse couche (nf) = miscarriage
guérir = to cure, to heal
handicapant,e (adj) = incapacitating, crippling
humeur (nf) = mood
inconscient (nm) = subconscious
lâcher = to give way, to let go
mensonge (nm) = lie
pleine conscience (nf) = mindfulness
se rendre compte (de qch) = to realise (sth)
TOC (nm) = OCD
Questions:

What is often explaining OCD behaviours?
What's the name for the future occupation of my uncle?
What percentage of conscious and subconscious is driving us?

Answers:

Issues with secure attachment as a very young child (especially with the mother)
Psychopracticien
Only 5% of our actions and thoughts are conscious. 95% is subconscious!

Links & Resources

Démonstration d'EFT par Jean-Michel Gurret (YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9vpu0VOxpU&feature=youtu.be

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes
In this special 2-part interview, you'll hear me talk with my uncle Sébastien! I heard that he was changing career and had become passionate about EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). That was enough to trigger my curiosity and want to find out more about the story behind this change, and more about what EFT is about. Emotional Freedom Technique, which belongs to the field of energetic psychology, is an alternative treatment / form of counselling for both physical and emotional pain. It is said to be very efficient to help with anxiety, trauma, phobias. Many different techniques can apply to treat a patient with EFT, including tapping (stimulating meridians on our body to send new signals to our brain), hypnosis, NeuroLinguistic Programming, and much more. Listen to find out whether EFT is spiritual or scientifically proven!
You're about to hear the first hour of a fascinating 2.5 hour conversation I had with Sébastien on the phone on a Sunday evening. You'll get acquainted a little bit with some of our family members. Off recording, we then talked about the needle phobia I'm suffering from and which is being an issue during my pregnancy. Therefore I am open to trying different techniques to try to get it more under control and be better prepared for the big day of the birth! Wish me luck! ?
Vocab List
aiguille (nf) = needleboîter = to limpbouche à oreille (nm) = word of mouthdouleur (nf) = painen avoir plein le dos = to be sick to the back teeth, to be fed upenseigner = to teachêtre à la traîne = to be behindfiler = to dash, to dash off, to fly, to runfiler (fam.) = to give, to lend, to slipformation (nf) = trainingse résumer à = to come down to, to be limited totalon (nm) = heeltrébucher = to trip over, to stumble
Questions:

Name the titles of the 2 books my uncle first went to buy to learn about EFT.
Why was my uncle actually suffering from a pain in his heel?
Why are scientific studies and evidence so recent?
What are the 3 factors/things which drive us as humans?

Answers:

"L'EFT pour les Nuls" (= EFT for Dummies) and "Le Petit Livre de l'EFT"
It symbolised his anger/grievances at his boss.
MRI / Medical imagery, reading which parts of the brain activate are relatively new. Plus, the protocol to publish new studies is quite long (about 7 years)
We are driven by our emotions/feelings, our thoughts and our behaviour

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my conversation with Carole, a French speech therapist. This episode's topics include: How do French schools currently teach children reading? Swallowing issues: what are they? Re-educating the voice and learning proper vocal hygiene so as not to strain it. How does Carole find her patients? "My 21-month old doesn’t talk: is this an issue?". We'll also discuss the paradoxical issue of insane waiting lists to see a speech therapist and the shortage of professionals. Finally, we'll mention a few differences in the phonetic system and stress pattern of the English and French languages and you'll hear Carole's top tip to improve your French pronunciation!
Vocab List
annuaire (nm) = directory, phone book
appareil dentaire (nm) = dentures, braces
AVC (nm) = stroke
chuchoter = to whisper
déglutition (nf) = swallowing, deglutition
dramatique (adj) = tragic, terrible
extinction de voix (nf) = voice loss, aphonia
petite section (nf) = (first year of preschool)
rauque (adj) = hoarse, husky; croacky
remettre en cause = to question
sucer = to suck, to suck on
traumatisme crânien (nm) = head injury, head trauma
Questions:

What can make teeth to be misaligned?
If you lose your voice, what should you avoid doing?
In the French island of La Réunion, how long can the waiting list to see a speech therapist be?

Answers:

Incorrect tongue position, where tongue presses against the teeth.
Avoid whispering (however counter-intuitive that may be!)
Wait can be over 2 years!

Links & Resources

"How to sound like a native French speaker " (my online course): https://frenchyourway.teachable.com/p/how-to-sound-like-a-native-french-speaker

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Meet Carole, a French speech therapist ("orthophoniste"). Carole will define what speech therapy covers and you may be surprised to find out that it is MUCH more than you may have thought! How did Carole choose to become a speech therapist, and how do you even become one? These are the questions we'll answer first. We'll also discuss the difference between clients (customers) and patients, and how a simple choice of word may impact the way we treat people. We'll then start tackling the different fields that Carole specialises in, starting to issues related to speech and language among children. One of many interesting points made during the episode about vocabulary is the difference between the French words "langue" and "langage" - both translated by "language" in English. We'll also talk about the written language (reading and writing components): how can they be addressed in speech therapy?
Vocab List
admissible (adj) = eligible
cabinet (nm) = clinic, office, consulting room
concours (nm) = competitive exam
confrère, consoeur (n) = fellow colleague
conseiller d'orientation (nm) = career advicer
d'affilée = in a row
déchiffrage = decoding, deciphering
déglutition (nf) = swallowing, deglutition
orthophoniste (n) = speech therapist
otite (nf) = ear infection
prépa (nf) = preparatory class
sous-jacent(e) (adj) = underlying, implicit
surdité (nf) = deafness, hearing loss
tiquer = make react, make twitch, raise eyebrows
tympan (nm) = eardrum
Questions:

True or false? As per the etymology of the word, speech therapy exclusively focuses on re-educating the audio/oral components of speech difficulties.
Give 4 examples of factors that may slow down the development of speech and language in children.
At the end of the episode, what do I compare Carole's work with?

Answers:

Today, speech pathology deals with everything that involves communication in the broad sense of the term.
Parents not talking enough to the child because they're too busy or there are many other siblings; too much screen time, too little exposure to books. Ear infections.
A mix of being a doctor and a private teacher.

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

To celebrate this 100th episode of French Voices, YOU asked me questions!

Episode outline: 1) a bit more about myself, my travel plans and leisure (also comes with a special announcement!); 2) my experience with language learning; 3) why I podcast and how I produce the episodes; 4) discussing my resources/content and how to best support my work.

This French-only episode comes with no transcript but has a video version (https://youtu.be/8cQvYivapho) which will allow you to take a peep backstage and see the desk where I create all the content for you!

Many thanks to Catherine, Tacicia, Janice, Nick, Fiona and Thijs for your great questions!

And merci to all of you for listening!
Links & Resources

Episode 21, "Me on the radio!": frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode21
Video version of the episode: https://youtu.be/8cQvYivapho
My website: frenchyourway.com.au
"How to choose the right mood and tense in French" (eBook + Workbook): http://www.frenchyourway.com.au/frenchtenses
"How to improve your French conversation skills" (eBook / Audiobook): http://frenchyourway.com.au/improve-french-conversational-skills

"How to sound like a native French speaker" (online course): https://frenchyourway.teachable.com/p/how-to-sound-like-a-native-french-speaker

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Meet Audrey, a French researcher working at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida. Audrey will explain to you what she does there! What I love with French Voices is that you get to hear a variety of voices and accents, but also learn about so many topics and professions. Today is one of these episodes dealing with a highly specific topic, something you may even not have heard of before, and it is a GREAT exercise for your comprehension skills.

From Grenoble in France to Florida: how did Audrey get into fundamental research? Audrey is testing and studying materials by submitting them high magnetic fields, extreme pressure and extreme cold in order to understand their properties. Listen to understand why this is done and why it is important! Audrey will give us some examples of practical applications so you can understand what types of materials are now used in daily life for their properties. You'll find out how the hot plate of your stove works! MRI scans are another revolution made possible by this essential work of research.

If you're in the US, you may want to visit the laboratory after listening to the episode. It is possible!
Vocab List
azote (nm) = nitrogen
centrale nucléaire (nf) = nuclear power plant
champ magnétique (nm) = magnetic field
composant (nm) = component
conducteur/trice (adj) = conductive
cuivre (nm) = copper
doctorat (nm) = PHd
échantillon (nm) = sample
expérience (nf) = experiment
IRM (nf) = MRI scan
isolant (nm) = insulating material
plaque de cuisson (nf) = hotplate
Questions:

What does "recherche fondamentale" mean?
What unit is used to measure magnetic fields?
Why is it impossible to reach the absolute zero in temperature?

Answers:

It means that you research/experiment without having a direct application in mind. This is not the goal.
The Tesla.
There will always be a tiny amount of perturbation creating friction and therefore heat.

Links & Resources

https://nationalmaglab.org

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Stephanie is a professional make-up artist from France, now living in Melbourne Australia. She's been fascinated by make-up her whole life. We'll talk about how she became a make-up artist and where she studied and worked. You'll get an interesting insight of how make-up trends evolved through the ages and what the modern Australian trend looks like today, according to Stephanie. You'll see that social media are a major factor influencing what women want to look like! Stephanie specialises in special occasion make-up aa well as theatrical, dramatic make-up...the perfect solution to look spooky for Halloween! Find out how Stephanie keeps learning new techniques and training herself. Her work is a great mix between creativity and technique! Stephanie will also talk about henna, which she also loves. What sparked her interest for henna? And by the way, what is henna? Listen to find out! Last but not least, Stephanie will share her top tip to obtain great results with your daily make-up!
Vocab List
(se) maquiller = to make up (oneself)
chouchou (n, adj) = pet ; favourite
cicatrice (nf) = scar
cil (nm) = eyelash
esthéticien/ne = beauty therapist, beautician
fard à paupière (m) = eyeshadow
fond de teint (nm) = foundation
gommer (v) = to erase
henné (nm) = henna
lèvre (nf) = lip
maquillage (nm) = make-up
maquilleur/euse professionel/le = make up artist
moulu, e (adj, past participle from "moudre") = milled, ground
paupière (nf) = eyelid
perruque (nf) = wig
poche à douille (nf) = piping bag
postiche (nm) = hair piece, postiche
saillant,e (adj) = protruding, prominent
sourcil (nm) = eyebrow
teint (nm) = complexion (skin colour)
Questions:

True or false? Stephanie comes from Geneva, Switzerland.
Apart from the make-up, what does Stephanie need to be able to do?
What is Stephanie's top tip for a great make-up?

Answers:

She studied in Geneva but is from Lyon (France)
She needs to be able to work with haire (hairstyling, not haircut) - wigs, hair pieces, etc.
Prepare your skin well. It needs to be clean. Use a good serum and a good day cream.

Links & Resources

Site: https://www.stephaniesin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mua.stephaniesin/











Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of the interview with Matthieu Lliboutry, the most friendly, fun and passionate real estate agent you'd ever meet! I've discovered him some time ago on one of my favourite French reality TV programme, "Chasseurs d'Appart' ", where three real estate agents compete to find candidates their dream home or apartment. Matthieu has regular appearances in the show, mainly in episodes based in the Bordeaux area, and had always struck me for his great personality and professionalism.

In today's episode, find out why Matthieu loves his job so much. We'll also discuss the important of interior decoration / home staging in making a sale. Matthieu will also share some fun and not-so-fun stories he experienced during his career. You'll also get to know the surprising best way for an agent to hunt for new properties to put on the market - it sounds like old-school ways work the best! Matthieu will also run us through parts of the process and paperwork required to buy a property in France.

We'll also talk about Lieu de Vie, Matthieu's own agency, the philosophy and the ethics behind it. The French TV programme has been a great and well-deserved springboard for his career.
Vocab List
avoir quelqu'un (fam.) = to fool someone
caution (nf) = deposit
commission (nf) = commission, percentage
crédit (nm) = (bank) loan
dénicher (fam.) = to find, to unearth, to discover
mettre en valeur = to highlight, to showcase, to bring [sth] out
meubler = to furnish
mythomane (adj) = compulsive liar
personnalité (nf) = celeb
porter plainte = to make/file a complaint
prendre une veste (fam.) = to come a cropper
s'emballer = to get carried away, to get ahead of oneself
trompeur, trompeuse (adj) = deceptive
TVA (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée) (nf) = VAT, Value-added tax
y trouver son compte = to find your groove, find your niche
Questions:

What percentage of home buyers are influenced by the home decoration of the property?
In France, how much time do you have to change your mind about buying a property?
What type of properties can you find at Lieu de Vie?

Answers:

85%
You have 10 days.
Architect houses and atypical properties, houses of character

Links & Resources

Site: https://www.lieudevie.fr/
Watch Matthieu Lliboutry on French TV channel M6, in "Chasseurs d'Appart"





Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Matthieu Lliboutry may be the most friendly, fun and passionate real estate agent you'd ever meet! I've discovered him some time ago on one of my favourite French reality TV programme, "Chasseurs d'Appart' ", where three real estate agents compete to find candidates their dream home or apartment. Matthieu has regular appearances in the show, mainly in episodes based in the Bordeaux area, and had always struck me for his great personality and professionalism. I decided to try my luck and reach out to him to invite him on an episode for French Voices and was so happy he accepted straight away! We ended up talking for a little while, so the conversation will be over 2 episodes.

In today's episode, you'll learn how Matthieu became a real estate agent. We're also talking about the negative image associated to the real estate world: are agents just sharks looking for your money? Matthieu is passionate about certain types of buildings / architecture: which ones and why is that?

You'll find out more about who was "le Baron Haussman" and his legacy regarding the layout of cities like Paris as well as how lifestyle influences the layout of a building's interior. Discover what the traditional houses from Bordeaux are called and what their characteristic features are.

Parisians, foreigners : who is interested in buying a property in the Bordeaux region?  Matthieu will brush up the typical profiles of investors.

Finally, how do you assess the value of a property? What are the different factors influencing the prices in real estate?

Listen to find out!
Vocab List
agglomération (nf) = conurbation, urban area
artère (nf) = artery (road)
avocat, e (n) = lawyer, counsel, solicitor
avoir le vent en poupe = to be riding high, to be on a roll
bordelais,e (n/adj) = from Bordeaux
carreau (nm) = tile, tiling
carrière (nf) = quarry
chambre de bonne (nf) = maid's room, garret room, attic room, shoebox
criminalité (nf) = crime levels, criminality
cursus (nm) = course, curriculum
échoppe (nf) = one-storey house ; small shop, boutique
enduit (nm) = primer ; coating
exposition (nf) = orientation, exposure
fiscal,e (adj) = fiscal, tax-related
hauteur sous plafond (nf) = ceiling height
ilot central (nm) = central island
immeuble (nm) = block of flats
immobilier (nm) = real estate
juridique (adj) = legal; judicial
mandataire (nm) = agent, fiduciary, authorised representative, attorney-in-fact
moulure (nf) = moulding
notaire (nm) = notary, solicitor, attorney
parquet (nm) = floor board
pécuniaire (adj) = financial, monetary ; pecuniary
plain-pied (nm) = single-storey dwelling
point de Hongrie (nm) = herringbone pattern
prestation (nf) = service
prisé,e (adj) = popular, sought
quasiment (adv) = almost, practically
ravalement (nm) = restoration (façade)
requin (nm) = shark
riverain,e (n) = local resident
ruelle (nf) = alleyway, lane, narrow street
Questions:

Why do you really need to be passionate to work in real estate?
About Haussman-style buildings: where was the kitchen usually located? Why was there a second entry door at the back?
Why should "la pierre de Bordeaux" (the stone from Bordeaux) left bare, i.e without painting or coating?
What are the main 2 economic sectors in Bordeaux?

Answers:

Passion leads the best agents: you have to work for countless hours (not always with a result) and have virtually no holiday/break.
The kitchen was located as far as possible from the living area (it was an undesirable room); the back door was an independent entry for the maid not to have to use the main entrance.

Buy Full Notes

Meet Maxime Pouvreau, a former Michelin-starred pastry chef now based in San Francisco and founder of Petit Pot, a mouth-watering brand of French desserts!

I first heard about Maxime while listening to one of my favourite podcasts, "The Pitch", in which real entrepreneurs pitch to a live panel of investors in the hope of raising venture capital. I loved his story and wanted to invite him on French Voices!

We'll start the discussion with a linguistic note about the use of the "tu" and "vous" forms. Maxime will then tell us about his French homeland and career history, which led him to work in many countries and luxurious restaurants and eventually settle in San Francisco. There, in the US, this Frenchman was terribly missing the French style desserts you can find at any supermarket in France (I so miss them too!!) and decided to use his culinary skills to fill this whole in the market. We'll compare what types of desserts you can find in the aisles of American and French supermarket and you may learn one thing or two about when we typically have these creamy desserts in France!

About Petit Pot: Find out which flavours are currently available, what ingredients they are made of and which substitutes are being used in the vegan versions! Petit Pots desserts are sold in glass jars which, as Maxime will explain, is both a reference to French culture and a token of quality.

On the business development side, you'll learn which important change Petit Pot has adjusted to over the past few years. Maxime will also share how he started producing the range and how they've grown and needed to scale the business. What are the future projects and dessert ideas for Petit Pot? Does Maxime now want to go back to hand-crafted patisseries or is he happy as an entrepreneur? And, very importantly, where to find the closest store selling Petit Pot if you live in the US? Listen to find out!!
Vocab List
apprentissage (nm) = apprenticeship, learning
bas de gamme = bottom of the range, lower end
brevet (nm) = qualification, certificate
étoilé.e = _starred
faire d'une pierre deux coups = to kill two birds with one stone
fournir = to supply
gage de qualité (nm) = quality guarantee, quality insurance, token of quality
glacière (nf) = ice box, esky
investisseur = investor
livrer = to deliver (a good)
palais (nm) = palate; taste
parcours (nm) = career history, experience
parfum (nm) = flavour
pâte (nf) = batter, dough
pâtissier (nm) = pastry chef
peaufiner = to refine, perfect, polish ; to put the finishing touches
personnel (nm) = staff
petit suisse (nm) = petit suisse, fromage frais
produit laitier (nm) = dairy
récupérer = to get (sth) back; to recover, to retrieve
règle d'or (nf) = golden rule
retombée (nf) = repercussion, consequence, fallout
retracer = to recount, to tell
riz au lait (nm) = rice pudding
usine (nf) = factory
Questions:

When do you typically eat une crème dessert in France?
What change has Petit Pot needed to adapt to over the past 5 years?
At the time of recording, how many US stores were selling Petit Pot?

Answers:

You eat it everyday for dessert: after lunch, after dinner....and sometimes for a snack too!
The size of the portions has decreased (from 120g to 85-90g).
300 stores

Links & Resources

petitpot.com
Episode of The Pitch featuring Maxime: look for episode 35 in your Podcast App or https://www.gimletmedia.com/the-pitch/petit-pot-the-proof-is-in-the-pudding-35

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate lea...

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of Steve Morel's interview. Steve is a young Frenchman who fell in love with Mongolian culture and traditional musical instrument, the Morin Khuur. He used to live a "normal" life, working for a job the meaning of which he was starting to question. And then there was the change, a calling, an irresistible passion for the music he discovered. Following his heart, he soon made the trip to Mongolia and never quite came back: Steve is now living in the country's capital city, Ulaanbaatar (Oulan-Bator in French). Today, Steve's purpose is to spread and share his knowledge of the Mongolian culture and the Morin Khuur. Both his personal story and insights are fascinating. I really wanted to invite Steve on the podcast to help spread his passion and knowledge for a people and traditions that are little known and also because I admire him for all the hard work and dedication he puts into his projects - I know too well how much time and effort he is investing to give a voice to Mongolia.

In this second part, you'll find out that Mongolia's weakest point (according to Steve) is that its tradition is passed orally. It is therefore hard to find accurate information and sources and Steve is doing the work of an investigator to try to put together fragments of songs and stories for his book project of sharing and spreading Mongolian culture.

We'll talk about Mongolian language and translation challenges (some Mongolian words don't exist in French or English and require lengthy explanations). Steve will share how he learnt the language and has some advice for those of you who plan to visit a country in which you don't know the language. He finds that there are 3 benefits to learning the language as soon as possible. Proverbs and idioms are often used in the Mongolian language - Steve will explain why and share his favourite proverbs with us!

At last, Steve will run us through the type of content you can find on his website. You'll see he has many strings to his bow! Steve sells his own calligraphies, his music, his carved stone seals and much more. These as well as the crowdfunding for his book and donations help him live in Mongolia and keep his research work going so he can share his knowledge about the Morin Khuur and Mongolian culture.
Vocab List
arnaquer (fam.) = to swindle,to scam, to rip off
enquêteur, trice (n) = investigator
faignant(e),fainéant(e) (adj) = lazy
faire office de... = to serve as, to be used for
financement participatif (nm) = crowdfunding
impression (nf) = printing (book)
louange (nm) = praise, words of praise
mensuel, mensuelle (adj) = monthly
point faible (nm) = weak point
robe (nf) = (animal) coat
s'y mettre = to set yourself to doing something, to start
tampon (nm) = seal, stamp
tordu,e (adj) = distorted
yaourt (nm) = yoghurt
Questions:

Which 4 different languages and writings will Steve's book include?
When did Steve start learning the Mongolian language?

Answers:

In the Old Uyghur alphabet (vertical writing), in the modern Cyrillic alphabet, in English and in French.
After 1 year in Mongolia, when his Mongolian girlfriend left the country and he didn't have her to translate for him anymore!

Links & Resources

Website: https://stevemorel.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekion
YouTube (Steve Morel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiaA4K958ZFqno_4_wK75Dg
YouTube interview mentioned in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRIXEorlANY









\

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by ...

Buy Full Notes

Steve Morel is a young Frenchman who fell in love with Mongolian culture and traditional musical instrument, the Morin Khuur. He used to live a "normal" life, working for a job the meaning of which he was starting to question. And then there was the change, a calling, an irresistible passion for the music he discovered. Following his heart, he soon made the trip to Mongolia and never quite came back: Steve is now living in the country's capital city, Ulaanbaatar (Oulan-Bator in French). Today, Steve's purpose is to spread and share his knowledge of the Mongolian culture and the Morin Khuur. Both his personal story and insights are fascinating. I really wanted to invite Steve on the podcast to help spread his passion and knowledge for a people and traditions that are little known and also because I admire him for all the hard work and dedication he puts into his projects - I know too well how much time and effort he is investing to give a voice to Mongolia.

In this first part, Steve will share how his life changed and how he discovered the Morin Khuur. He'll also discuss the French name for Morin Khuur and will reveal which translation he finds to be more accurate. Steve's fascination for the instrument couldn't be limited to trying to play it. Indeed, if you want the Morin Khuur to show its moving soul, you need to be able to make people who listen to it feel the wind of the steppe, imagine the smells, etc. In other words, if you want to do justice to the instrument you need to understand Mongolia.

Steve will tell you what the Morin Khuur looks like and what the two different trends/schools are. These differences are very interesting on the historical and cultural points of view. You'll find out which side Steve took regarding these two ways of playing.

I mentioned the soul of the Morin Khuur: Steve will give you an incredible example of how the Morin Khuur is sometimes used to save a baby camel that is being rejected by their mother.

We recorded this episode in July, just before the Naadam, the traditional festival in Mongolia that is also the National Holiday - so we'll talk about this just a little bit too.

I also asked Steve about his first impressions when he arrived in Mongolia and this part will end after we talk about the development of the country as I wanted to know whether Mongolian people were still predominantly nomadic or were settling in large cities.
Vocab List
à l'oreille = by ear
bosser (fam.) = to work,to slog
caisse (nf) = body (of instrument)
chambouler = to shake up, to turn upside down
chameau (nm) = camel
chamelet (nm) = calf (baby camel)
chamelle (nf) = she-camel
corde (nf) = string
crin (nm) = horsehair
en vouloir à mort (fam.) = to resent to death
fétiche (adj) = national animal; lucky, favourite
lutte (nf) = wrestling
manche (nm) = neck, shaft
mec (nm) (fam) = guy
mettre bas = to give birth
mongol,e (adj) = Mongolian
monter à cheval = to ride a horse
nomade (n, adj) = traveller, nomad (n); nomadic (adj)
partition (nf) = sheet music, score
puits (nm) = well (water)
se sédentariser = to settle down (in one place)
tir à l'arc (nm) = archery
trapèze (nm) = trapezium
vie antérieure (nf) = previous life, former life
vielle, vièle, viole (nf) = viol (old instrument)
yourte (nf) = yurt
Questions:

What is the French name for the Morin Khuur? Which translation does Steve prefer to use instead?
Describe the differences between the traditional Morin Khuur and the modern instrument.
What picture of Mongolia did Steve first see from the plane?

Answers:

The French name for the instrument is "vielle à tête de cheval" but Steve finds the name "instrume...

Buy Full Notes

This episode is the second part of my conversation with Gérald Darnis, a French marine biologist who studies zooplankton in the Arctic on the Canadian icebreaker Amundsen.

We'll start by talking about this incredible boat: Gérald will describe it in such a way that you’ll picture yourself onboard. You'll also find how sensitive electronic instruments are being used in a way that protects them from the extreme cold.

I was also curious about what a typical day may look like on board, but there is no such thing! The scientists on board are experts in so many different fields that they all work at a different pace. In the case of Gérald, the rhythm can be quite intensive, sometimes with only a couple of hours for sleep here and there. Why? Because the Amundsen stops each year at the same places - Gérald and his team need to collect and study samples of zooplankton along this route in order to see the changes that occur over time.

In the previous episode, you’ve learnt about the importance of zooplankton as the basis of the marine biosystem. And you’ve also found out why studying it in the Arctic helps understand the impacts of climatic change on the planet.

In this episode, I've asked Gérald whether he’s witnessed any signs of global warming over the years during his expeditions in the Canadian Arctic. We'll discuss a few examples such as the recent sighting of orcas / killer whales, which are not usually seen in this area of the globe. Indeed, because of their long dorsal fin, orcas cannot swim (and come out to breathe) in seas covered with ice. The melting of the ice is now opening the way to these predators, making animals who were protected from them until now vulnerable.

What’s more, the new routes resulting from the melting of the ice opens new opportunities to exploit natural resources and develop tourism. Gérald will share his opinion in the topic. It'd probably be better if these beautiful areas and pristine water remained the privilege of a few to see and enjoy in a respectful way. Getting stranded in the ice days away from rescue would endanger human lives. In the same way, any oil spill would have catastrophic consequences if they couldn’t be managed straight away.

Happy listening!
Vocab List
banquise (nf) = ice floe, icefield, sea ice, ice pack
béluga (nm) = beluga, European sturgeon
cartographier = to chart, to map
commandant,e (n) = captain, commanding officer
congélateur (nm) = freezer
conserve (nf) = conserve, preserve ; tin, can
échantillonner = to collect samples
faire le guet = to be on watch, to keep watch
fonte des glaces (nf) = melting of the ice
garde côte (nm) = coastguard
nageoire (nf) = fin (fish), flipper (mammal)
narval (nm) = narwhal
orque (nm) = orca, killer whale
pétrolier (adj, nm) = oil; oil tanker
puits (nm) = well
ruche (nf) = beehive
s'échouer = to become stranded ; to wreck oneself
Questions:

How many people live onboard the Amundsen during expeditions?
Which unusual duty can the captain of the ice-breaker perform on board?
Our conversation was interrupted by a loud sound. What was that sound?

Answers:

Around 70 people
He can marry people
Gérald’s parrot

Links & Resources

ArcticNet : http://www.arcticnet.ulaval.ca
Groupement de recherche Québec-Océan : http://www.quebec-ocean.ulaval.ca
Article Washington post : https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/business/mapping-arctic-waters/?utm_term=.d6b36bbf6f4b

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French.

Buy Full Notes

Meet Gérald Darnis, a French marine biologist who studies zooplankton in the Arctic on the Canadian icebreaker Amundsen.

After completing a PhD in oceanography, Gerald went on his first expedition in the Arctic. I asked him to share his first memories of going into a place of the world where very few of us will ever go.

What is plankton? How and why is it interesting to study these tiny organisms? Why studying it in the Arctic? These are some of the questions we’ll answer to in this first episode with Gérald.

Plankton is an essential part of the marine ecosystem while the Arctic region is directly impacted by climate change. Therefore, studying the impact of the global warming on the zooplankton in the Arctic helps scientists to understand how all the ecosystem may be impacted.
Vocab List
azote (nm) = nitrogen
baleine (nf) = whale
brise-glace (nm) = icebreaker, iceboat
crevette (nf) = shrimp
doctorat (nm) = PhD
échantillon (nm) = sample
effet de serre (nm) = greenhouse effect
embarquer = to embark, to board, to get onboard
équipage (nm) = crew
fer (nm) = iron
filet (nm) = net
le plus clair de… = most of, the most part of
méduse (nf) = jellyfish
plancton (nm) = plankton
réchauffement climatique (nm) = global warming
s'alimenter = to feed oneself
subside (nm) = subsidy, allowance ; grant
Questions:

How is it possible to estimate how much plankton is at a given place in the ocean?
How do people get onboard the Amundsen when the icebreaker is at sea in the Arctic?
How do the peoples inhabiting the Canadian Arctic areas live and feed themselves?

Answers:

The use of acoustic instruments allows to assess the quantity of plankton based on the echo it sends back when reverberating on an obstacle / an organism.
In summer, the crew first lands in a small populated area then is transferred by helicopter. In winter (when the boat is surrounded by ice), people make a landing strip directly on the ice near the boat.
They hunt, fish and receive grants from the government

Links & Resources

ArcticNet : http://www.arcticnet.ulaval.ca
Groupement de recherche Québec-Océan : http://www.quebec-ocean.ulaval.ca



Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Joseph Puzo is the CEO (in French, "PDG") of AXON' Câble, a very high technology entreprise producing cables. These are not just any cables: Axon’ is the provider for the French Ariane space rockets, Airbus aircrafts, the camera on the Discovery robot sending pictures of planet Mars to the world, and many other fascinating projects!

Coming from an Italian family, Joseph Puzo came to France as a young child and therefore French was, like you, a foreign language he quickly learnt. In this episode, discover Joseph's life journey: you’ll get to see how his early studies and trainings were already telling that he’s always had an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. Mr Puzo became the manager of Axon’ during the early 1980's financial crisis. The only way to save the factory from bankruptcy then was to differentiate it from its many competitors and start producing high-technology cables. This became a turning point for the entreprise.

Joseph Puzo will share his valuable experience of the business world. How to stimulate innovation ? How to find engineers willing to work in a rural area? Why is it actually a good thing when your boss is bad?

You can also read more about Joseph Puzo in the short book "Réinventer l’industrie : les aventures de Joseph Puzo". Listen to the episode to hear anecdotes about how the book was written and why the name "Axon'" may be a revenge on Joseph’s difficulties with French pronunciation when he was a child!
Vocab List
chef (nm) = boss, manager
exposé (nm) = presentation
faillite (nf) = bankruptcy
formation continue (nf) = lifelong learning, continuing education
gérer = to manage, to handle
meublé, e (adj) = furnished
personnel (nm) = staff
résumé (nm) = summary, recap
stage (nm) = internship, training
un mal pour un bien = a blessing in disguise
valorisant,e (adj) = gratifying
Questions:

Which languages could Joseph speak by the time he was 10?
What was Joseph’s first decision when arriving at Axon’ in a time of financial crisis?
How does Joseph Puzo recruit the engineers willing to come and work in a rural town?

Answers:

Italian (his mother tongue), French and German. Not English.
He created a “Research and Development” department and hired experienced engineers.
He offers internships to complete beginners coming from engineer schools, trains them fully and provides them with accommodation (furnished, with the Internet access). The internship may result in a job offer.

Links & Resources

axon-cable.com
"Réinventer l'industrie, les aventures de Joseph Puzo" (Elisabeth Bourguinat, 2015)
http://www.josephpuzo.fr/biographie/
https://www.gpomag.fr/web/interviews/joseph-puzo-pdg-de-axon-cable
https://www.academie-technologies.fr/members/210-joseph-puzo
http://www.tracesecritesnews.fr/actualite/axon-cable-la-tete-dans-les-etoiles-68862
FV 068: (Part 1) Discover the history of my hometown with greeter Marie-Christine Poisson: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode68
FV 069: (Part 2) Discover the history of my hometown with greeter Marie-Christine Poisson: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode69
FV 082: Being a mayor in France: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode82
FV 083: (Part 1) Re-enacting Battles from the Napoleonic era…and why Napoleon is so famous! frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode83
FV 084: (Part 2) Re-enacting Battles from the Napoleonic era…and why Napoleon is so famous! frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode84

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Buy Full Notes

What do airbags, artificial hearts and the Discovery robot have in common?

Joseph Puzo is the CEO (in French, "PDG") of AXON' Câble, a very high technology entreprise producing cables. These are not just any cables: Axon' is the provider for the French Ariane space rockets, Airbus aircrafts, the camera on the Discovery robot sending pictures of planet Mars to the world, and many other fascinating projects!

This world class industry is actually established in my small hometown, Montmirail, bordering fields in the Champagne region.

An episode about electric cables? Fear not, this interview is far from being boring!! Listen to find out about more projects that require high precision cables, sometimes thinner than a hair. You'll be impressed at what humankind is now able to do to push the boundaries of space exploration and medical science.

For instance, France has developed the "cœur Carmat", the first artificial heart that replaces the actual heart and Axon was involved in this project.

If you’ve always thought that "a cable is a cable" (or if you hadn’t given it any thought before!), Joseph Puzo will share with you its industrial secret: the very recipe to make unique, high technology cables. How specific do they need to be compared to standard cables? What do they need to resist to? And how to test them in environment where Man has never been?

Joseph Puzo definitely has a real talent at explaining technical, complex information in a very clear, simple manner. Follow his fascinating stories and journey in the first of this 2-parts episode!
Vocab List
brevet (nm) = patent
câble (nm) = cable
concurrence (nf) = competition
concurrent, e (n, adj) = competitor
cordon (nm) = cord, string
cuivre (nm) = copper
divulguer = divulge, disclose, reveal
fiable (adj = reliable
filiale (nf) = subsidiary, affiliate, branch
fusée (nf) = space rocket
gaine (nf) = sheath, sheathing
implanté,e = set up, established
isolant (nm) = insulating/lagging material
moteur (nm) = engine
parabole (nf) = satellite dish
PDG (Président Directeur Général) = CEO, chief executive, managing director
plaqué argent = silver-plated
prise électrique (nf) = electric socket
réseau (nm) = network, reception
salarié, e (n) = employee, staff member
sidérurgie (nf) = steel industry
sonde (nf) = probe, space probe
tenir à l'écart = remove from somewhere, put in isolation
volant (nm) = steering wheel
voyage d'affaires (nm) = business trip
Questions:

Describe what the "One Web" project consists of.
What is Téflon? What are its 3 great properties?
Which precise childhood memory do I have from my visit to Axon’ open house?

Answers:

A French-American society is preparing the launch of 2.600 satellites that will allow anyone, anywhere in the world to get 4G reception, simply using a satellite dish. Axon’ is wiring these satellites.
It’s a type of plastic containing fluorine. It can resist to very high temperatures, it’s an insulating material and it is biocompatible.
There was a cable which was flame resistant. This cable is the Vibraflame and actually also resists to vibrations. It is used in aircrafts and in the steel industry.

Links & Resources

axon-cable.com
"Réinventer l'industrie, les aventures de Joseph Puzo" (Elisabeth Bourguinat, 2015)
http://www.josephpuzo.fr/biographie/
https://www.gpomag.fr/web/interviews/joseph-puzo-pdg-de-axon-cable
https://www.academie-technologies.fr/members/210-joseph-puzo
http://www.tracesecritesnews.fr/actualite/axon-cable-la-tete-dans-les-etoiles-68862

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my conversation with Maryse Mounier, a hard-working French woman growing bourbon vanilla on the Réunion island.

Maryse will tell us in details about the process vanilla beans go through from the harvest until they are ready to be sold on the market. You'll probably be surprised by how precise each stage is! (temperature, time, etc.). Vanilla from La Réunion is unfortunately on the decline despite its excellent quality as it suffers from competition from Madagascar.

Maryse will share her best tips on how to tell a good quality vanilla from a mediocre one – if steps are skipped in the process, the end result won't be as good. Pods looking big and fleshy can actually be deceptive: they'll be attractive to the customer who may think that they'll get more out of the pods but these pods haven't been dried properly and may just rot before you use them!

How best to store your vanilla pods? What's the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence? How can you use vanilla more creatively in your kitchen? Vanilla is often associated to sweetness because it is traditionally used for baking desserts. However, vanilla itself is not sweet and can be used in your next carbonara or mayonnaise recipe! Let the expert tell you more about this!
Vocab List
affinage (nm) = maturing ; refining (sugar)
charnu,e = fleshy, plump
claie (nf) = grid, grating, riddle
échauder = to warm, to warm up, to lightly scald
étuvage (nm) = steaming
fourchette de prix (nf) = price range
griller / sauter des étapes = to skip stages
malle (nf) = chest, box
moulin à café = coffee grinder
mûrir = to ripen
noeud (nm) = knot
récolte (nf) = harvest; crop
souple = flexible, supple
Questions:

After the harvest, what are the different stages of preparing the vanilla pods?
Why doesn’t Maryse grow more vanilla, more intensively?
What savoury dish with vanilla is famous at La Réunion?

Answers:

Echaudage (warming up so the pods don’t crack), étuvage (steaming, sweating: the pods become brown), séchage (drying), Affinage (maturing)
She makes sure to leave space between the vanilla plant in case a disease kills them (some farmers then lose all their production this way)
Duck with vanilla

Links & Resources

www.vanille-reunion.fr
https://www.facebook.com/PlantationVanilla-Bourbon











Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

I have released "How to sound like a native French speaker", my online course to help you with EVERYTHING you need to know about French pronunciation, intonation and rhythm.

www.frenchyourway.com.au/nativespeaker

The idea for creating a dedicated course came from the many questions that students have asked me over the years and the recurring struggles that I noticed they were facing. For example, with the French liaisons, the nasals, how to pronounce the accents above some vowels, etc.

There are 2 dimensions that will help you sound more French:

Learning the individual sounds.
You need to be able to hear and say every sound of the French language. Some of these sounds will be easy because they already exist in your language (for example, in the case of English: b, v, t, p, and so on). Some will be different (U, R, the nasals an/in/on are typical examples)


Learning the sounds of the language as a whole.
You must learn how to choose the right intonation for what you want to say and learn how to give the French language its unique rhythm and melody.

The course covers years of learning (when it comes to correct pronunciation and intonation).  actually believe that it is THE most comprehensive course you can find on this topic.

When you buy the course, you get:

unlimited access to the course
downloadable notes with the lessons
worksheets (over 60 exercises and their answers)
over 7.5 hours of audio and video content

All lesson videos also available in audio format so you can listen again on the go!

contact me directly if you have any question
my personal feedback on your pronunciation once you’ve completed the course
30 day money back guarantee should you not be happy with the course

Special offer to celebrate the launch (if you get the course before May 21st )

I’ll send you:

My free printable set of flashcards to help you become more familiar with the phonetic symbols used in French language.
My free printable bookmark compiling the main combinations of letters which students of French need to remember and their pronunciation in IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). A great quick reference tool which you can take anywhere!

SAVE THE DATE! I’ll answer your questions about French phonetics live on Facebook on  Saturday May 19th at 1.30pm (AEST) Melbourne Australia time... See you then? ?
Links & Resources

My French pronunciation course "How to sound like a native French speaker": frenchyourway.com.au/nativespeaker
Live session on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/frenchyourway
French pronunciation (1) - How to know when the letter "S" is pronounced [s] or [z]: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast168
French pronunciation (2) - How to pronounce the letter "E" when it has an accent over it? : frenchyourway.com.au/podcast169

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Today's guest Maryse Mounier is a very energetic woman who is passionate about vanilla. She is working, on her own, in the forest where she grows Bourbon vanilla, a type of vanilla which is famous worldwide for its high quality and strong flavour.

Bourbon was actually the former name of La Réunion island and we call "vanille bourbon" the vanilla beans coming from the vanilla planifolia plant. You can also find vanilla planifolia in other areas such as Madagascar or the Comoros but they are grown differently. For example, Maryse Mounier's plantation is located on a very old lava track Réunion, which means her vanilla grows on very little soil but on a volcanic land.

Vanilla is a climbing vine which is quite fragile and growing it takes a lot of care and patience: you'll need to wait several years before getting your first vanilla flowers! In addition, growing vanilla also requires hard physical work, is entirely done by hand - which explains why vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron. Although vanilla has become an emblem of the area, this plant is actually not native from La Réunion and there are no insect pollinating the flower on the island. Fecundation must therefore be done by hand in order to get the vanilla pods!

In this episode, you'll also learn that Maryse is comes from Métropole (= Mainland France) and fell in love with vanilla when she moved in La Réunion. After growing it in her garden for her own consumption, Maryse got the opportunity to get a long-term lease of land in a primal forest which she had to clear out herself. Being a woman and a "Zoreille" were initially a challenge for her. What's a "zoreille"? Listen to find out!
Vocab List
agriculteur, -trice = farmer
bail (nm) (plural = baux) = lease, lease agreement
bail emphytéotique = long-term lease
bouture (nf) = cutting
défricher = to clear the land (from weeds, etc)
détourer = to cut (sth) out
élaguer = to prune
floraison (nf) = flowering, blossoming
gousse de vanille (nf) = vanilla pod
grande surface (nf) = supermarket, superstore
liane (nf) = liana, creeper, climber
pied de vanille (nm) = vanilla plant
pollinisation (nf) = pollination
polliniser = pollinate
polliniser = to pollinate
sécateur (nm) = secateurs, pruner
sève (nf) = sap
terre (nf) = land ; soil
tronçonner = to fell; to saw
tuteur (nm) = prop, support, stake
vanille (nf) = vanilla
Questions:

How fast does a vanilla vine grow when the weather is hot and humid?
When do the vanilla flowers bloom?
What year did Maryse start working in the forest?

Answers:

1 meter per month!
Once a year, between October and December (and each flower only lives for a very short time)
In 2006

Links & Resources

www.vanille-reunion.fr
https://www.facebook.com/PlantationVanilla-Bourbon













Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Frenchwoman Stéphanie Brillant is the director (= réalisatrice) of documentary film "Brainious" – "Le cerveau des enfants" in French.

I first watched the documentary because as a parent, I want to be the best possible guide for my daughter, develop and maintain a strong bond with her based on trust so she can become a confident and independent person.

Although the film gives food for thought about how to best help children to reach their full potential, it is not only aimed at parents or caregivers: it is also an invitation to understand oneself, to explore how our present behaviours have been shaped by your own upbringing. The approach is never dogmatic and doesn’t tell you how you should raise your child - each way of doing being unique, just as every human being is. It is however fascinating to shed light on how the brain is naturally wired – because what seems like pure psychology is actually related to how the brain works and develops.

The very culture in which you grow up plays a role in how you respond to events. Stephanie will give examples illustrating how and why French pupils are afraid of making mistakes whereas in the US - where she now lives- she observed these mistakes were being embraced as fully part of the learning process.

Relationships are key to an individual’s psychological development. Words are powerful and can make or break a sensitive person. Stephanie will share her very own example of how she sabotaged her school years because of the way influential people were seeing her.

You'll also understand why you are actually NOT doing children a favour by praising how smart they are; you’ll find other alternatives to help stimulate their resilience and problem-solving skills.

We'll discuss why traditional classroom settings are in total contradiction with the way children learn - through movement. Why is it then that they're asked to stay still for hours at a desk? What does research say and how can we address this paradox?

Stéphanie interviewed many experts (neuroscientists, researchers, psychologists, specialists in behavioural science, in parenting, etc.); she went to visit and film schools in which the children are learning to be mindful and emotionally healthy. There are very simple tricks that can be taught to children so that they learn to identify and handle their emotions - these should be taught in every classroom!

"Brainious" explores so many concepts we didn't have the time to touch on all of them in the interview. I simply encourage you to watch this one of a kind documentary!
Vocab List
acquis (nm, adj) = learned knowledge; acquired, learned
apprentissage (nm) = learning process
câbler = to wire
cancre (nm) = dunce
cerveau (nm) = brain
conseiller d'orientation (nm) = careers advisor; education edvisor
croissance (nf) = growth
démarche (nf) = approach, process
doué, e (adj) = gifted, talented
élève (n) = school student, pupil
élever (un enfant) = to raise, bring up (a child)
état d'esprit (nm) = mindset
féliciter = to congratulate
gérer (une émotion) = to deal with, to handle (an emotion)
guérison (nf) = recovery, healing
inné (nm, adj) = innate, inborn, natural
louer = to praise
paillette (nf) = glitter
pleine conscience (nf) = mindfulness
rature (nf) = crossing out
réalisateur, _trice = movie director
réaliser (un film) = to direct (a movie)
rendre service (à qn) = to so (sb) a favour
respirer = to breathe
se dégourdir les jambes = to stretch one's legs
se mettre au travail = to start, to begin, to get to work
tapis roulant (nm) = treadmill
vexation (nf) = offense
Questions:

Which 2 types of mindset has psychologist Caro...

Buy Full Notes

For the first time in French Voices, I’m interviewing a guest from La Réunion! Réunion Island is a tropical French department (un département d’Outre-Mer = overseas region) located in the Indian Ocean. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, with volcanoes, rainforest, coral reefs and beaches.

Guest Aline Peltier is a volcanologist (=volcanologue) working at the Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise. Aline specialises in geodesy, the science of measuring and understanding the earth's geometric shape. What does that mean, in the context of volcanoes? It means that by using very precise sensors (= capteurs) and GPS devices, the volcanologist is able to notice the distortion, the swelling of the earth –indicators that magma and gas are gathering under the volcano and that an eruption may be imminent. This data is very important to ensure the safety of the population and decide on a potential evacuation of the area.

What are volcanoes? Why are there even volcanoes? You’ll find that there’s a surprisingly high number of them on the planet, usually located along the tectonic plates although that is not the case at La Réunion. Le Piton de la Fournaise, an icon of the island, is an active volcano with about 2 to 3 eruptions a year and it is well monitored, which makes it a great volcano for study according to Aline.

Listen to understand what makes some volcanoes more dangerous than others, what magma is made of or when we can consider that a volcano is extinct.

Of course, as a teacher passionate about etymology, I also got interested in the meaning of the name “Piton de la Fournaise” (you’ll get to learn a bit of Creole there!)

Aline Peltier will also share with us how she first become interested in volcanoes and what the work at l’Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise consists of. It is very varied, with some analysis and research work, communication and education of the public but also the impressive and dangerous task of getting as close as possible to a 1200°C lava flow (= une coulée de lave) to collect samples.

We’ll end the discussion talking about the geology of the island…and why La Réunion is actually growing!
Vocab List
anomalie (nf) = anomaly, irregularity
avant-coureur = precursory
avorter = to abort, to stop
barrière de corail (nf) = coral reef
capteur (nm) = sensor
cendre (nf) = ash
colonie de vacances (nf) = summer camp
coulée (nf) = slide, lava flow ; run, track
croûte (nf) = crust (Earth)
déformation (nf) = deformation, distortion
doctorat (nm) = PhD, doctorate
évent (nm) = vent, outlet
féérique (adj) = magical, enchanting; otherworldly
fusion (en fusion) (nf) = molten
gaz (nm) = gas
géodésie (nf) = geodesy
ignifugé,e (adj) = fire resistant, fire retardant
manteau (nm) = mantle (Earth)
menace (nf) = threat
métropole (nf) = mainland France
outil (nm) = tool
plaque tectonique (nf) = tectonic plate
visqueux (adj) = slimy; viscous
volcan (nm) = volcano
volcanologue (n) = volcanologist
Questions:

Which 3 tools are used by Aline to analyse data and predict eruptions?
How dangerous are the eruptions of Le Piton de la Fournaise?
What’s the difference between magma and lava?

Answers:

GPS/sensors -> to analyse the swelling/distortion of the volcano
inclinometers -> to analyse the angle of inclination (of the slopes of the volcano)
extensometers -> to analyse the cracks / the openings on the earth
Not very dangerous: they’re usually not threatening the population. The eruptions are effusive, not explosive
They refer to the same fluid/material. It is called magma when the molten rocks are still ...

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my conversation with Frenchman Alain Collas, passionate about the Napoleonic Era and a cuirassier during the historical reenactments of the battles of the Napoleonic army.

What’s exactly happening during the reenactments? I was curious to find out whether they were above all a show for the audience to see action and costumes or whether they were precise and based upon actual facts and details. Historical reenactments really are a passion for which many enthusiasts from all countries gather together, meeting on the very sites where Napoleon fought his battles. They are also a way for them to share their findings and reads on their favourite topics!

During these events, and during the Journées du Patrimoine (a yearly event in September), the audience gets to see how war surgery was performed before the invention of anaesthetic – we’ll talk about this a bit too!

Alain will also describe his impressive cuirassier uniform (see photos in the shownotes of the episode). You’ll learn that each feature has a specific function going way past ornamental purposes; indeed they can add extra protection to the soldier. For instance, the long ponytail falling at the back of the helmet protects the neck of the cuirassier from sabre blows.

We’ll end the conversation with a quote from Englishman General Wilson and discuss why French soldiers are said to be particularly brave and determined – they defend the hard-won values and principles inherited from the French Revolution.
Vocab List
à blanc = blank (blank bullet, shoot blanks)
adroit,e = dexterous, deft
balle (nf) = bullet
boulet de canon (nm) = cannonball
campement (nm) = camp, encampment
charge (nf) = charge (attack); load (weight)
clairon (nm) = bugle
dragonne (nf) = strap
écurie (nf) = stable
empaler = to empale; to put on a spit
fonte (nf) = cast iron
fusil (nm) = rifle; gun, shotgun
fusillade (nf) = shootout, exchange of gunfire
jugulaire (nf) = chinstrap
laiton (nm) = brass
pistolet (nm) = pistol, gun
plastron (nm) = breast plate (armour); plastron (fencing)
poitrail (nm) = breast, chest (horse)
portée (nf) = range
rêne (nm) = rein (horse)
selle (nf) = saddle
tresser = to braid, to plait, to weave
Questions:

What kind of food did the Napoleonic soldiers eat in the camps?
How thick is the breast plate protecting the chest of the cuirassier?
What is the difference between the sabre of the cuirassier and the sabre of the hussar?

Answers:

Simple food, like a modern pot-au-feu / stew: a big pot in which soldiers would boil whatever food they could find (meat, veggies, potatoes, etc.)
3mm
The cuirassier’s had a straight blade whereas the hussar’s sabre had a curved blade

Links & Resources

Hussards de Lasalle-Montmirail 1814 et Chirurgie au temps de Napoléon 1er (Page Facebook)











Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Today (as well as in the next episode of French Voices), Frenchman Alain Collas will tell you about his passion for the Consulate and Napoleonic eras.

In the early 19th century, Napoleon led some important battles in my hometown (Montmirail) and its vicinity. When I last went to France to visit my family, I set up to find a passionate person to take you back in time. When I was a child, I loved to go see the historical reenactments of the hussars during the “Journées du Patrimoine”, a yearly event in France held in September. I therefore contacted Alain Collas as he is part of the local association “Les Hussards de Lasale” to learn more about them.

Originally Hungarian, the word “hussar” (“hussard” in French) also describes soldiers in light cavalry regiments in Napoleon army. I’ll actually let Alain Collas explain to you in more details what hussars were and the different components of a Napoleonic army, but I can already tell you it was fascinating to get to understand the different types of soldiers! Depending on their roles and position on the field, their mobility, speed and equipment would differ. They would ride horses meeting these needs, for instance quick thoroughbreds for the light cavalry and scouts, robust horses for the heavy cavalry. During the historical reenactments, Alain Collas actually plays the role of a cuirassier, one of the components of the heavy cavalry – the equivalent of modern war tanks. Because of the weight of his breast plate and equipment, his horse is stocky and short so that he can mount it more easily. However, because of their outfit and reduced mobility, a cuirassier fallen from his horse would for sure lose his life.

In this first episode, we’ll also discuss what makes Napoleon so famous worldwide. We’ll talk about his legacy, both on the civil and military points of view. Did you know that the very prestigious order of merit called “la Légion d’Honneur” (= Legion of Honour) was established by Napoleon himself?
Vocab List
armure (nf) = armour
ascenseur social (nm) = social mobility
baïonnette (nf) = bayonet
briquet (nm) = lighter; cigaret lighter
carabine (nf) = rifle
casque (nm) = helmet
cuirassier (nm) = cuirassier
étrier (nm) = stirrup
fantassin (nm) = infantryman, foot soldier
garrot (nm) = withers
gilet pare-balle (nm) = billetproof vest
hussard (nm) = hussar
infanterie (nf) = infantry, foot soldiers
légion d'honneur (nf) = Legion of Honour
pur-sang (nm) = thoroughbred
reconstitution (nf) = historical reenactment
sabre (nm) = sabre, saber
trapu,e = stocky, thickset; squat, low-built
Questions:

What makes Alain Collas particularly interested in the Napoleonic era?
What is the 3rd most visited monument in France?
What year did Napoleon become Emperor?

Answers:

It’s a very important transition time in history, with big changes in society, social mobility and also at a military level.
The tomb of Napoleon in the Invalides (Paris)
December 2nd, 1804

Links & Resources

Hussards de Lasalle-Montmirail 1814 et Chirurgie au temps de Napoléon 1er (Page Facebook)

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

On my last trip to France, I was welcomed by the mayor of my hometown for an interview at the town hall – in the meeting room, which is also the official room where marriages are celebrated. Find out how a French mayor is elected, what his roles are, facts about getting married in France and much more!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
A mayor and another occupation
What made E.Dhuicq run for mayor?
The ballot and office staff list

Part 2
How and for how long a French mayor is elected
The prerequisites to run for mayor
The roles of a mayor

Part 3
Funding / Money
Projects and initiatives
What do French citizens go to the town hall for?

Part 4
Getting married in France
Something unique in Montmirail
Vocab List
adjoint, e (n) = deputy, second-in-command, assistant
agriculteur, -trice = farmer
brie (nm) = brie cheese
colza (nm) = rape, canola
commune (nf) = town, municipality, village
conseil général (nm) = departmental council
conseiller général (nm) = regional concillor
cultiver = to cultivate, to grow, to farm
écharpe (nf) = scarf
état civil (nm) = register of births, marriages and deaths
gendarmerie (nf) = police force
hôtel de ville (nm) = town hall, city hall
impôt (nm) = tax, levy
impôt foncier (nm) = property tax
mairie (nf) = town hall, city hall
mandat (nm) = mandate
nommer = to appoint, to nominate
orge (n) = barley
parcelle (nf) = plot, parcel
passer devant le maire = to get married
préfecture (nf) = prefecture, administrative center
régalien,ne = sovereign (power)
remparts (nm.pl) = city walls, rempart, fortification
salubrité = hygiene, salubrity
scrutin (nm) = poll, ballot, vote
se fâcher avec = to get angry with
taxe d'habitation (nf) = council tax
Questions:

(Part 1) Does E.Dhuicq make a living from being the mayor of Montmirail?
(Part 1) Which crops does E.Dhuicq grow?
(Part 2) Why was there a new election in Montmirail in 1992?
(Part 3) Where do you register a birth in France?
(Part 4) What are the 3 mandatory elements for a marriage to be valid in France?

Answers:

Mayor is only a function and he is a farmer.
He grows wheat, barley, canola, cereals, beetroot
The mayor had been killed in a car accident.
At the town hall of the place of birth.
It is in a dedicated room (it’s not possible to change room), in front of the bust of Marianne and the mayor (or one deputy) must be wearing the tricolour scarf

Links & Resources

FV 068: (Part 1) Discover the history of my hometown with greeter Marie-Christine Poisson: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast68
FV 069: (Part 2) Discover the history of my hometown with greeter Marie-Christine: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast69
My article: "French presidential election: 12 facts about the election process in France": http://frenchyourway.com.au/french-presidential-election-process

















Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my conversation with Jean Auquier, the manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels, Belgium – home to many famous cartoonists and characters. This episode focuses on the cutest and tiniest characters of Belgian comic art, the Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs). How were they born? Why are the Smurfs blue? What makes the Smurfs so popular? Why is the Smurf language so interesting, linguistically and socially? Here are only a handful of the many aspects we’ll discuss in this interview!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
How the Smurfs were born
Why are the Smurfs blue?

Part 2
A linguistic and social look at the Smurf language
La Schtroumpfette, the only female Smurf
Gender of Smurfs

Part 3
What makes the Smurfs so popular
TV and cinema
Cultural variation between countries
The Smurfs after their creator’s death

Part 4
Jean Auquier’s Smurf reading recommendations!
Jean Auquier’s favourite Smurf
Vocab List
agrafer = to staple
album (nm) = comic book
avoir la répartie facile = to be quick-witted, to be quick to respond
barrage (nm) = dam (water)
diminutif (nm) = dimuntive, nickname
en avoir marre = to have enough,to be fed up
être friand,e de = gourmand, fond of
faible = weak
fainéantise (nf) = laziness, idleness, apathy
flamand,e = Flemish
foule (nf) = crowd
long métrage = feature film, full-length film
lutin (nm) = elf, leprechaun; imp
marmite (nf) = caldron
mettre les pieds dans le plat = to put your foot in it/in your mouth
peluche (nf) = plush toy
rameuter = to round up; to mobilize for new activity
récit (nm) = story, tale; account
salsepareille = rough bindweed, common smilax, sarsaparilla
sorcier (nm) = wizard, sorcerer
superpouvoir (nm) = superpower
tire-bouchon (nm) = corkscrew
Questions:

(Part 1) Why are the Smurfs blue?
(part 2) What do cartoonists often listen to while they’re drawing?
(Part 2) When was La Schtroumpfette born?
(Part 3) What year did Peyo die? (You’ll have to do a bit of maths here!)
(Part 4) What’s Jean Auquier’s favourite Smurf? What’s mine?

Answers:

This colour has not already been associated with people…or aliens!
They listen to the radio
In the early 60’s
1992 (Jean Auquier met him in 1989 and Peyo died 3 years later)
Le Schtroumpf Paresseux. Le Schtroumpf à lunettes

Links & Resources

Website: cbbd.be
My article and worksheet “Schtroumpfez-vous français?”: http://frenchyourway.com.au/schtroumpfez-vous-francais
French Your Way Podcast, episode 71: "Position of adjectives (PART 1): “voiture rouge” or “rouge voiture”?" - frenchyourway.com.au/podcast71
French Your Way Podcast, episode 72 : "Position of Adjectives (PART 2): un homme pauvre, un pauvre homme" - www.frenchyourway.com.au/podcast72







Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Jean Auquier is the manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium is home of many famous cartoonist and characters such as Tintin, the Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs), etc. Why is it that comic strip became a specialty, a symbol of this small country? Learn about the history and the evolution of this popular form of art and culture and about the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée itself in the first part of this fascinating conversation with Jean Auquier!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
How is Belgium associated to comic books?
How the first comic strips were published
The art of creating suspense and hooking the reader

Part 2
The art of being funny
Gaston Lagaffe, a famous anti-hero
The first comic books

Part 3
What is direct colour?
The price of comic books

Part 4
Le Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée – a heritage building
Why the expression « Centre de la BD Belge » doesn’t work
What you can see in the museum, projects and involvements
Vocab List
accrocher = to hook on
bande (nf) = strip
BD, bande dessinée (nf) = comic strips, comic books
bulle (nf) = speech bubble
cartonné,e = hardcover
case (nf) = box, square [comic book]
dessinateur, -trice = cartoonist
en huis clos = behind closed doors; [legal] closed hearing
encre de Chine (nf) = Indian ink
exposition (nf) = exhibition
feuilleton (nm) = saga; serial, series
gag (nm) = joke, gag
lettrage (nm) = lettering
libraire = bookseller, bookshop owner
mise en page (nf) = layout
phylactère (nm) = speech bubble
planche (nf) = [picture] plate; board
rebondir = to bounce back and forth
rebondissement (nm) = unforeseen/unexpected/sudden development
rédaction [de journal] (nf) = editorial board; writing room, news room
relier = to bind
reliure (nf) = binding
souple = paperback
Questions:

(Part 1) When did the art of comic books start in Belgium?
(Part 2) Why was the character Achille Talon originally created?
(Part 3) Why are Belgian comic books so expensive compared to other countries’s books?
(Part 4) What’s the exact date of the opening of the Centre Belge de la BD ?

Answers:

In the 1920’s
To fill gaps: if an author/cartoonist was missing a deadline, if there was a spot in the magazine that wasn’t filled with advertising, etc.
You buy them because you love the author/cartoonist or the topic/story. You put them on a shelf, not in a box. They’re a cultural item, part of a collection.
October 6th, 1989

Links & Resources

Website: www.cbbd.be







Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Claude Tranchant is a French lady now living in Brisbane, Australia. On her 64th birthday, she set off to walk the way of Saint James (le pélerinage de St Jacques de Compostelle), covering over 2,500 km through France and Spain, crossing the Pyrenees to reach Santiago de Compostela. All alone. Oh, and she had never hiked before! Her physical journey soon became a spiritual and a humane one too. Find out more about the St James’s Way pilgrimage, the fears Claude had to overcome and how she changed forever along the way.

Part 1 of this interview located in episode 78.
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Claude's backpack: content
Why Claude wrote a daily diary
Water supply on the walk

Part 2
Very basic comfort!
The pilgrims' radio?
Claude’s injury

Part 3
Encounters on the road
Mixed feelings at the end of the road

Part 4
Writing Boots to Bliss
Inspiring people...and walking some more!
Vocab List
ampoule (nf) = blister
borne (nf) = distance marker, kilometer marker
bouche à oreille (nm) = word of mouth
calepin (nm) = notepad, small notebook
faciliter les choses = to make things easy/easier
genou (nm) = knee
journal (nm) = diary
orteil (nm) = toe
sac de couchage (nm) = sleeping bag
se faire mal = to hurt oneself
semelles orthopédiques (nf) = orthotic inserts, arch supports, orthopedic soles/insoles
tapis de sol (nm) = floor mat
têtu,e = stubborn
Questions:

(Part 1) Why did Claude write a diary?
(part 2) Where was Claude when she injured herself? Which body part was that?
(Part 3) Give 2 reasons why Claude was scared at the end of her pilgrimage.

Answers:

For her children to have written notes of her in case anything happened to her.
She was going down a slope in the Massif Central and hurt her knee.
After 100 days connecting with herself and nature, she was scared of going back to a materialistic/consumerist world. Also, she had changed so much that she feared there would be a big gap and misunderstanding between herself and those she knew.

Links & Resources

Website: facebook.com/BootsToBliss
Get “Boots to Bliss” on Amazon

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Claude Tranchant is a French lady now living in Brisbane, Australia. On her 64th birthday, she set off to walk the way of Saint James (le pélerinage de St Jacques de Compostelle), covering over 2,500 km through France and Spain, crossing the Pyrenees to reach Santiago de Compostela. All alone. Oh, and she had never hiked before! Her physical journey soon became a spiritual and a humane one too. Find out more about the St James’s Way pilgrimage, the fears Claude had to overcome and how she changed forever along the way.
Vocab List
pélerin,e = pilgrim
pélerinage (nm) = pilgrimage
bâton de randonnée = walking pole
logement (nm) = accomodation
hébergement (nm) = accomodation
coquille saint Jacques (nf) = scallop shell
balise (nf) = beacon, marker
baliser = to mark out
randonnée (nf) = hike
sac à dos (nm) = backpack
Links & Resources

Website: facebook.com/BootsToBliss
Get “Boots to Bliss” on Amazon

















Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my conversation with Marie-Louise Gay, award-winning Canadian author and illustrator of children’s books. Find out how Marie-Louise came to write for a young audience. We’ll also discuss how to encourage creativity in children, the benefits of reading with your child and how you can use a book to go deeper than its mere reading. This is a very important and inspiring episode for all parents and carers!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Marie-Louise Gay’s early career
How Marie-Louise came to write children’s books

Part 2
How to encourage creativity in children
A thousand books before school
The benefits of reading with your child

Part 3
Going the extra mile with a book
Un million de questions

Part 4
Marie-Louise’s bedside books
Vocab List
autocollant (nm) = sticker
câlin (nm) = cuddle
compte-rendu (nm) = report
concevoir = to create, to design
déformation professionnelle (nf) = professional tic, professional quirk
engouement (nm) = passion, enthusiasm, fondness
fond (nm) = content
forme (nf) = style, form
gagner sa vie = to make a living
pulvériser = to smash
rat de bibliothèque (nm) = bookworm
revue (nf) = magazine; journal, periodical
se mettre à = to start, to begin; to get to
souris (nf) = mouse
table de chevet (nf) = bedside table
tâtonner = to grope for; to grope around, to feel around
Questions:

(Part 1) How old was Marie-Louise when she got into writing children’s books?
(Part 2) Where may you find Marie-Louise’s first children’s book?
(Part 3) Which wonderful gift does Marie-Louise sometimes receive from schools?

Answers:

She was in her mid-twenties
There may be a few worn out copies in some libraries in Quebec
Books made by students who worked on Marie-Louise’s books.

Links & Resources

Website: www.marielouisegay.com
French Your Way Podcast, Episode 112: French books for babies / toddlers: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast112
Video “French books for babies/ toddlers”: frenchyourway.com.au/frenchbooksforbabies





Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Nathalie Ressiguier is a young French woman with a very special gift: she’s a magnetizer. When I was put in touch with her to do the interview I was, as always, very interested because I was going to learn a lot; but this time I had had a lot of trouble trying to think of some questions in advance! Why? Because I wasn’t sure what she was doing exactly! Luckily, Nathalie’s so passionate that the conversation just flew very easily. So, what’s a magnetizer? How did Nathalie found about and then develop this unique gift? In this episode, you’ll hear her story and you may find her experience relatable, intriguing or totally weird. Just keep an open mind the way Nathalie’s opened her heart for French Voices and work on your listening skills!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Hypnosis on the phone
What is magnetism?
Is magnetism spiritual or scientific?

Part 2
A hereditary gift
Nathalie’s traumatic experience as a newborn

Part 3
Nathalie’s life mission
Healing the body and the mind
Nathalie’s practice and logo
Vocab List
âme (nf) = soul
baguette de sourcier (nf) = divinning rod, dowsing rod
caducée (nm) = caduceus
circulation sanguine (nf) = blood flow
déclic (nm) = Eureka moment, when the penny drops
don (nm) = gift
équilibrer = to balance
fourmillement (nm) = pins and needles, tingling
guérison (nf) = healing, curing, recovery
hypnose (nf) = hypnosis
nourrisson (nm) = newborn
picotement (nm) = pins and needles, tingling
pilier (nm) = pillar, foundation, cornerstone
ressentir = to feel (feeling, energy)
sourcier (nm) = dowser, water diviner
tige (nf) = stem
traiter = to treat, to cure, to heal; to address
Questions:

(part 1) What can Nathalie feel with her hands when she hands them over a patient? (2 feelings)
(part 2) True or false? Nathalie also has a gift as a dowser.
(part 3) When did Nathalie start developing her gift with magnetism? What moment in her life does this correspond to?
(part 4) Which 3 elements does Loving Quantum logo consist of?

Answers:

She can feel heat and pins and needles / tingling.
Her grandfather was a dowser.
In December 2012. That’s when she started recovering from a serious burn-out.
There are 2 snakes, a dragonfly and a lotus flower

Links & Resources

Loving Quantum on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/lovingquantum.nathalieressiguier/about/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtjop1zMAGjsnG3sP4z6yBw

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Meet Marie-Louise Gay, an award-winning Canadian author and illustrator of children’s book. This is the first part of a fascinating conversation between two book and language lovers: Marie-Louise and myself! In this part, Marie-Louise will tell you a bit about her childhood and to what extent it influences the adventures of the heroes she’s been creating. Do you know Stella and Sam, two very cute siblings? They were born from Marie-Louise Gay’s imagination! Marie-Louise is perfectly fluent in both French and English, so which language comes first when she starts writing? Are there any differences between the French and English version of one same book? Listen to find out! Marie-Louise will also describe her creative process and illustrating techniques.
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Marie-Louise’s childhood
The adventures of Stella and Sam

Part 2
2 languages = 2 different books
Adapting rather than translating

Part 3
About Marie-Louise Gay’s young readers
Illustration techniques

Part 4
The creative process of writing and illustrating
Drawing: a late talent for Marie-Louise!
Vocab List
album jeunesse (nm) = book for youth
aquarelle (nf) = watercolour
assidu,e (adj) = diligent, hardworking, assiduous; regular, constant
avoir (qch) en tête = to have (sth) in mind
bande dessinée (nf) = comic strip
bout de papier (nm) = piece of paper, paper scrap
brouillon (nm) = draft, first draft, rough version
crayon de couleur (nm) = colour pencil
crayon de mine (nm) = pencil, lead pencil
enfance (nf) = childhood
esquisse (nf) = sketch, outline
fidèle (adj) = loyal, faithful
fioriture (nf) = embellishment, flourish
fourmiller = to be filled with/full of; to swarm, to teem
intrépide (adj) = daring, audacious
oeuvre (nf) = (art) work
sage (adj) = well-behaved
se plaire à = to like to, to be content to (think, say, etc)
traduire = to translate
Questions:

(Part 1) What is Stella’s brother called in the English edition of Marie-Louise’s books? In the French edition?
(part 2) How does Marie-Louise qualify/describe the English language? What about the French language?
(Part 3) What makes Marie-Louise’s books so popular?
(Part 3) Which creative technique does Marie-Louise use in some illustrations that may not be noticeable at first glance?

Answers:

He’s Sam in the English edition and Sacha in the French edition.
English is economical, ideal for short sentences, precise. French is more poetic and embellishing.
They are very simple, with lots of images
Collage

Links & Resources

Website: www.marielouisegay.com





Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Meet Laurent Cicurel, a Frenchman passionnate about beer and craft beer. Laurent is the co-owner of La Fine Mousse, a bar and a restaurant in Paris which specialises in the tasting of unique beers. The restaurant offers to match dishes with beers, just like you would do with a wine. By the way, in a country where wine and champagne are so renowned, how big is beer culture in France? Find out in this episode and learn many more, interesting facts such as what the main ingredients in a beer are, or why the number of breweries underwent such a dramatic change in number in the last century!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
A definition of craft beer
How many types of beers are there?

Part 2
What are the main ingredients in a beer?
What makes the "lambic" beer special
How important is the soil in the making of beer?

Part 3
Is there a big beer culture in France?
A dramatic change in the number of breweries
La Fine Mousse: the bar

Part 4
La Fine Mousse: the restaurant
How beers and dishes can be matched
Calculating the alcohol content in a beer
La Robe et la Mousse
Vocab List
accorder = to match
bière artisanale (nf) = craft beer
blé (nm) = wheat
brasser = to brew
brasserie (nf) = brewery
brasseur (nm) = brewer ; pub-restaurant owner
cave (nf) = cellar
charcuterie (nf) = cooked meats, cold meats ; delicatessen
fût (nm) = cask, barrel, keg
gustatif, -tive (adj) = gustatory, taste (noun as adj)
levure (nf) = yeast
orge (nm) = barley
réglisse (nf) = liquorice
robe (nf) = colour (wine)
sommelier (nm) = sommelier, wine waiter
terroir (nm) = soil, land
Questions:

(Part 1) When did craft beer become more trendy again?
(Part 2) True or false? The main ingredient in a beer is hop.
(Part 2) Which 2 words refer to the science of beer?
(Part 3) How many breweries were there:
- at the beginning of the 20th century?
- at the end of the 20th century?

Answers:

About 30-40 years ago
False. The main ingredient is water. Hop is the second last main ingredient (the last ingredient is yeast)
la biérologie, la zytologie
- at the beginning of the 20th century: several thousands
- at the end of the 20th century: only a few dozens

Links & Resources

Website: lafinemousse.fr
La Fine Mousse:
6 Avenue Jean Aicard, 75011 Paris, France
3 rue Mr Le Prince, 75006 Paris
Paris Beer Week: http://parisbeerweek.fr/
Episode 52 "Champagne Producing with Tristan Hyest": frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode52







Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Florence Metgé is a French artist based in the South of France. Florence’s art is colourful and vibrant. She finds her inspiration in the complexity of human relationships and will share some examples in the episode. Living in Western Africa for many years has also influenced her style. Listen in to learn more about it, as well as the condition and challenges faces by contemporary African artists!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
An overview of Florence’s background
Westerners vs African people: hoe they react to art
Definition of Arts Plastiques

Part 2
Florence’s favourite theme
Favourite techniques
Image composition: an original angle

Part 3
Where in Africa did Florence travel/live
The influence of African art in Florence’s work
The condition of artists in Africa

Part 4
Calling for guests for French Voices!
From Florence’s art studio in France
Vocab List
aquarelle (nf) = watercolour
arts plastiques (nm) = fine arts
bifurquer = to change direction
croquis (nm) = sketch
étiqueter (quelqu'un) = to label (someone)
exposer = to exhibit
franchir le cap = [fig] to go past (sth), to get over (sth),
fusain (nm) = charcoal
gravure (nf) = engraving
huile (nf) = oil
labyrinthe (nm) = maze
mettre (quelqu'un) dans une case = to label, categorize (someone)
œuvre (nf) = work, artwork
percer = to make a breakthrough, to make it
rapports humains (nm) = human relationships
se consacrer à = to dedicate/to devote oneself to
se faire remarquer = to be noticed
silhouette (nf) = figure (shape)
tenir à cœur = to matter, to be important, to be a cause close to your heart
tenir compte de = to take into account
toile (nf) = canvas
Questions:

(part 1) Vrai ou faux? Le public français réagit avec plus de spontanéité devant les œuvres d’art tandis que le public africain a tendance à intellectualiser ce qu’il voit.
(part 2) What example illustrating the difficulty of communication between two individuals did Florence paint?
(part 2) Classez ces techniques dans l’ordre de préférence de Florence, de sa préférée a la moins aimée : L’aquarelle, l’huile, le fusain.
(part 3) Why is it challenging for African sculptors to adopt a more contemporary, creative style?

Answers:

Faux, c’est le contraire.1. Faux, c’est le contraire.
She painted a maze with two characters (seen from above). The characters are physically close, being only separated by a wall, but the actual distance for them to meet is far (they would have to walk through the maze)
L’huile, le fusain, l’aquarelle
Tradition and sacred art, the look of the statues as we know them tend to make it difficult to change style.

Links & Resources

Florence Metgé’s website: http://www.florence-metge.fr

















Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

In the last 2 episodes of French Voices, guest Jean-Benoît talked about his experience as an airline pilot. When we recorded the interview, he was working with his wife Julie to set up a very special business, Hannahpad. Now, Hannahpad products are exclusively used by women but this is not a female only episode! Proof is, Jean-Benoît is a man and the brand Hannahpad itself was originally created by a man too. So, stay tuned! Hannahpad sells washable sanitary pads made from organic cotton. Why would anyone go through the trouble of washing their pads when the supermarket ones make our lives so convenient? By the way, is this that much of a trouble to wash? How did the idea originate? Find out more in this episode!
Episode Timeline
Part 1  
An inspirational message about passion
99% thinking, 1% doing
How the opportunity came

Part 2   
Hannahpad’s sell points
Who is interested in Hannahpad products
Awareness and change of lifestyle

Part 3   
How Hannahpad was born
A family business!
A successful start

Part 4  
An inconclusive initial market study
Challenges when building the business
Where to find Hannahpad products
Vocab List
biologique = organic
bohème = bohemian lifestyle
chronophage = time-consuming
comptabilité (nf) = accountancy
congé sans solde (nm) = unpaid leave
coût en amont (nm) = upfront cost
déchet (nm) = waste
douleur (nf) = pain
échantillon (nm) = sample
être à son compte = to be self-employed
être en congé = to be on leave
faire/passer une commande = to place an order
frais de port (nm) = shipping fee
lavable = washable
prendre sa retraite = to retire
protège-slip (nm) = (panty) liner
sain,e = healthy
savon (nm) = soap
serviette hygiénique (nf) = sanitary pad
VRP = sales representative
Questions:

(Part 2) What are the 3 main selling points for Hannahpad products?
(Part 3) Who created Hannahpad and why?
(Part 3) What happened on March 30th? (2 answers)

Answers:

They are good for your health (no chemicals).
They are ecological (zero waste)
They are economical (but with upfront cost)
Mr Jang, a Korean man, to help relieve his wife from menstrual pain.
Hannahpad France received its business number certificate. It was the birthday of our guest’s wife (who is the head of Hannahpad France)

Links & Resources

Hannapad (France) : http://www.hannahpad.fr
YouTube : Tampon, notre ennemi intime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odx7YJsen44
Episode 67 : “Mademoiselle Organic: DIY your own skin care and beauty products”: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode67
Episode 70: “Life of an airline pilot (Part 1): frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode70
Episode 71: “Life of an airline pilot (Part 2): www.frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode71

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

This is the second part of my interview with Jean-Benoît , a French pilot for a major Middle Eastern airline. In this episode, you’ll learn how a pilot’s body deals with night flights and jetlags, what turbulences are and whether they are dangerous. You’ll hear Jean-Benoît’s point of view regarding the strengthening of safety rules since the September 11th terror attacks and you’ll find out how many female pilots are in command of your plane journeys!

If you missed the first part of the interview, listen to episode 70
Episode Timeline
Part 1
How a pilot’s body deals with night flights and jetlags
Airlines and profitability

Part 2
Safety rules changes
A personal rant about excessive safety rules!

Part 3
What are turbulences?
Are turbulences dangerous?
Funniest and scariest experiences

Part 4
Another type of turbulence
Are there many female pilots?
Vocab List
aéroport (nm) = airport
arme blanche (nf) = bladed weapon
bagage en soute = checked luggage
carlingue (nf) = cabin
ceinture (nf) = belt, seat belt
confisquer = to confiscate, to seize, to take away
coupe-ongles (nm) = nail clipper
créneau (nm) = (time) slot
escale (nf) = stopover
hache (nf) = axe
inox (nm) = stainless steel
mallette de vol (nf) = flight bag, flight case
personnel navigant (nm) = flight crew
pilote de chasse = fighter pilot
poste de pilotage (nm) = cockpit
soute (nf) = bagage hold
train d'atterrissage (nm) = landing gear
tricoter = to knit
trou d'air (nm) = air pocket
Questions:

Part 1: How many hours a year does Jean-Benoit fly in his airline?
Part 2: In which airport is security the stricter: New York or London?
Part 3: Vrai ou faux? La turbulence d’air clair est une turbulence généralement prévisible.
Part 4 : Quel est le pourcentage de femmes pilotes ?

Answers:

900 hours (which is the maximum authorised)
In London
Vrai (elle “peut être notifiée sur les cartes météo du dossier de vol”)
10%

Links & Resources
















Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Jean-Benoît is a pilot for a major Middle Eastern airline. In the first episode of our long and absolutely fascinating conversation, he will tell us how one becomes a pilot and he will also take us behind the scenes of the preparation for a flight: what are the roles of the captain, the co-pilot, the rest of the crew? What major changes have happened in the world of aeronautics over the past few decades? Listen to find out and learn so much more!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
When Jean-Benoît was little…
How Jean-Benoît became an airline pilot
The weather during a flight

Part 2
The roles of the captain and the co-pilot
What do the pilots do during the whole flight?
The pleasure of flying
Who decides on the safety rules

Part 3
How pilots get ready for a flight
Defects on the plane ?!!
The roles of the crew for the flight

Part 4
What happens once the passengers have boarded the plane
The direction of wind: a history of aviation
Is being a pilot really a dream job?
Noticeable changes in aeronautics over the past 3 decades
Vocab List
à l'issue de = at the end of
à vol d'oiseau = as the crow flies
atterrir = to land
atterrissage (nm) = the landing
bitume (nm) = asphalt, tarmac, bitumen
cabine (nf) = cockpit, cabin
commandant de bord (nm) = captain
compagnie aérienne (nf) = airline (company)
décalage horaire (nm) = jetlag, time difference
décollage (nm) = the take off
décoller = to take off
faire demi-tour = to U-turn
goudron (nm) = tarmac; tar
hélice (nf) = propeller
le Moyen Orient = Middle East
manche à balai (nm) = joystick, control stick
nœud (nm) = knot
passer l'immigration = to go through customs
passerelle (nf) = footbridge; walkway
pilote automatique = auto-pilot
pilote de ligne (nm) = airline pilot
piloter = to fly (a plane)
porte (nf) = gate
prendre la relève = to take the helm, to take over
roulage (nm) = taxi
se cantonner à… = to limit oneself to…
vol (nm) = flight
Questions:

(part 1) What did Jean-Benoit want to be when he was a child? What eventually made him change his mind?
(part 2) What is “the pilote en fonction”?
(part 4) Before they were a mere strip/line, what shape did the landing strips used to be? Why?

Answers:

He wanted to be Santa! (le Père Noël) but gave up when he found out he had to learn all the languages in the world!
He/she’s the one who make the plane take off and land.
A round/ a circle / a disc. The pilot would use its diameter as the landing strip, in the way that would make them face the wind to take off.

Links & Resources
















Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Marie-Christine Poisson used to be my school teacher when I was around 3 year old but in this episode she will share her passion for the history of my hometown, Montmirail. If you ever travel in the area (Montmirail is only an hour away from Paris, on the road of the Champagne), Marie-Christine can give you a free tour of the town because she volunteers as a greeter. You'll be in good company with this very energetic and extremely passionate (and chatty) woman! Recording this double episode was pretty special for me and I got to learn about 3 historical characters who played an important role in the development of Montmirail. If you love a jump in the past and lots of random interesting facts, you'll enjoy this conversation!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
The 3rd miracle

Part 2
Saint Vincent de Paul
"La promenade des statues"
The lost daughter
The new religious order

Part 3
"I want to go to the city!"
How M-C Poisson learnt about the history of the town
Vocab List
accoucher = to give birth, to deliver
bailli (nm) = (historical) bailiff
bienfaiteur (nm) = benefactor
boulet de canon (nm) = cannon ball
brodé,e (adj) = embroidered
capricieux, capricieuse (adj) = temperamental, hot-headed, capricious
caveau (nm) = vault
chaire (nf) = pulpit
courtisane (nf) = courtesan
couvent (nm) = convent
goutte (nf) = drop
jouer de malchance = to be plagued by bad luck
passant,e (adj) = much frequented, busy
pieux, pieuse = pious, religious
précepteur, -trice (n) = private tutor
remparts (nm.plur) = fortification, battlement, rempart
se pavaner = to strut ; to swagger
Vierge (nf) = Virgin Mary
Links & Resources

Greeters en Champagne - Marie-Christine Poisson: http://www.greeters-en-champagne.com/fr/828/40/5/N5913CHA05100094/sit/detail/decouvrir-un-greeter
Episode 42: The History and Life of 900 years old Abbey Notre-Dame du Reclus: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode42













Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Marie-Christine Poisson used to be my school teacher when I was around 3 year old but in this episode she will share her passion for the history of my hometown, Montmirail. If you ever travel in the area (Montmirail is only an hour away from Paris, on the road of the Champagne), Marie-Christine can give you a free tour of the town because she volunteers as a greeter. You'll be in good company with this very energetic and extremely passionate (and chatty) woman! Recording this double episode was pretty special for me and I got to learn about 3 historical characters who played an important role in the development of Montmirail. If you love a jump in the past and lots of random interesting facts, you'll enjoy this conversation!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Meet Marie-Christine Poisson and her passion
Visiting Montmirail with Marie-Christine
Where's Montmirail?

Part 2
Jean le Bienheureux
Origin of the name Montmirail
Jean's diplomacy skills

Part 3
A Pope in Montmirail!
"Les Visiteurs": a famous French comedy
More about the show
Vocab List
château-fort (nm) = fortified castle
croyant,e (n) = believer, adherent
faire la navette = to commute; to shuttle back and forth
maître,maîtresse (n) = school teacher
maternelle (nf) = preschool, kindergarten
moine (nm) = monk
monter un spectacle = to set up a show
mur d'enceinte (nm) = outer wall, surrounding wall
Pape (nm) = Pope
patrimoine = heritage
Links & Resources

Greeters en Champagne - Marie-Christine Poisson: http://www.greeters-en-champagne.com/fr/828/40/5/N5913CHA05100094/sit/detail/decouvrir-un-greeter
Being a Primary School Teacher in Rural France: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode11
Episode 55 of French voices: Real Life Stories around the Beginning of Railway in Epernay: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode55
Episode 42: The History and Life of 900 years old Abbey Notre-Dame du Reclus: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode42













Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

Before personally meeting Mademoiselle Organic, I didn't even know you could make your own skin care and beauty products (or rather, this is not something that had crossed my mind!). And yet, this trend is growing, especially in France. People are getting increasingly worried by the hormone disruptors used in the products of supermarket brands and there's also a desire to use clean and environment-friendly products. Not to mention the fun side of making your own recipes at a reasonable price. But the complete beginner will have lots of questions, such as: Is it dangerous to make your own products? Which products are the easiest to make? Where to find the ingredients? I asked Mademoiselle Organic, our expert on the topic!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Introducing Mademoiselle Organic
How Aurélie got interested in DIY products

Part 2
Is it dangerous to make your own products?
Trusting big companies? The example of sunscreen
Where to find the ingredients

Part 3
Which products may be harmful
Why less (ingredients) is more
Customising your own beauty products: a hobby

Part 4
Defining a new lifestyle
Which products are the easiest to make?
Mademoiselle Organic courses
Vocab List
après-shampooing (nm) = hair conditioner
baume (nm) = balm
bio = organic
crème solaire = sunscreen
dentifrice (nm) = toothpaste
effet secondaire (nm) = side effect
enceinte = pregnant
hydrater = to moisturise
karité (nm) = shea
peau (nf) = skin
perturbateur endocrinien (nm) = endocrine disruptor, hormone disruptor
remettre en question = to question
savon (nm) = soap
se procurer = to get hold of, to obtain, to get
shampooing (nm) = shampoo
Links & Resources

Mademoiselle Organic: https://mademoiselleorganic.com
French Possum: http://frenchpossum.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlleorganic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BWB2pWUhe2e/?taken-by=mlleorganic
French Voices, episode 41: "Discover the Fantasy World of Lusilière with Author L.Shena": frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode41
French Voices, episode 45: "Chapter 1 of “Les Héritiers de Lusilière” read by the Author, L.Shena": frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode45







Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

In the previous episode, French osteopath Xavier Lerays shared with us what his occupation consists of. In this episode, you'll find out how, in addition to his osteopath practice, he also trains the French tennis team for deaf players. How are the two linked? How is being deaf a challenge to play tennis, which seems to be a visual sport? Had you ever heard about the Deaflympics? This fascinating conversation brings on aspects you may never have thought about before, and will raise the sensitive topic of how the players with a disability want to be seen: a fine balance between disability and normality.
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Coaching a very unique tennis team
How Xavier became the coach of the French team
What makes loss of hearing a challenge to play tennis

Part 2
How communication is achieved
An invisible handicap
Handicap vs normality

Part 3
The Deaflympics
Vocab List
appareillé,e (adj) = wearing a hearing aid
arbitrage (nm) = refereeing, umpiring
arbitre (nm) = referee, umpire
audition (nf) = hearing (sense)
bander (les yeux) = to blindfold
championnat (nm) = championship
changer de crémerie = to go see somewhere else
coup d'oeil (nm) = glance, peep, quick look
Grand Chelem (nm) = Grand Slam
malentendant,e (n, adj) = hard of hearing, partially deaf
marcher sur des oeufs = to walk on eggshells, to tread carefully
oreille interne (nf) = inner ear
orgueil (nm) = excessive pride
reprendre le flambeau = to take over from someone, to pick up the torch
se vexer = to take offense
sourd,e (n, adj) = deaf
terrain (de tennis) (nm) = (tennis) court
valide (n, adj) = healthy, fit (oppos. of "disabled")

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Buy Full Notes

How much do you know about osteopathy? Xavier Lerays, a French osteopath, will explain how he became a professional and what his occupation consists of. I was burning to know what osteopaths "feel" with their hands! If you do too, then this episode will lift the mystery! Is osteopathy recognised in France? Do osteopaths and GPs work hand in hand or are they rivals? You'll find out in this episode!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Osteopathy explained
The roles of the GP and the osteopath
An ancient and safe science

Part 2
How to become an osteopath in France
Why the number of students has changed dramatically

Part 3
Why Xavier wanted to be an osteopath
What do you "feel" with your hands?
Vocab List
avoir du recul = to have the benefit of hindsight, to have perspective
avoir la main mise sur... = to have the run of...
corps (nm) = body
crâne (nm) = skull
kiné = physio
mémoire (nm) = report, essay, dissertation
os (nm) = bone
radio (nf) = X-ray
rebouteux (nm) = bone setter
sport-études (nm) = sports study programme

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Transcript

Vocab List

Questions

Buy Full Notes

It's in the streets of Melbourne that I unexpectedly met today's guest, Antony. Antony is a young French man who's been travelling the world with just himself, a small backpack and a tent for over 3 years...and still counting! Find out why Antony called his project "Jumps" and what the philosophy behind it is. Also, if you also wonder how he manages to get food and accommodation (Antony doesn't have any savings), then you should listen too!
Episode Timeline
Part 1
On the road across many countries
What motivated Antony to start this journey
Languages in a foreign country
Part 2
Getting food and accommodation
Dumpster diving
The philosophy behind jumping
Part 3
Unfortunate meetings
Future plans of travel?
Entering a new country: visas
Part 4
A personal story and the lesson behind it
Balancing raising funds and visiting places
Some breathtaking landscapes
Part 5
Safety issues and racism
Antony's final message
Links & Resources

Follow Antony on his Jumps Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Jumps-435526166613421/





















Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Transcript

Vocab List

Questions

Buy Full Notes

Amateurs of French food, I’m sure you know what "un boulanger" is! But do you know the difference between "boulanger" and "artisan boulanger"? I’ve asked the local bakers from my hometown in France! This episode was recorded in person in the kitchen of the bakery – it smelled lovely in there! We’ll also talk about the typical day of a baker, the types of breads and their names, how the price of bread is decided...and much more!
Episode Timeline
[05 min 15 sec] Difference between “boulanger” and “artisan boulanger”
[07 min 33 sec] Aller au pain
[08 min 00 sec] Typical day of a baker
[09 min 18 sec] Types of breads and their names
[11 min 16 sec] How the price of bread is decided
[13 min 40 sec] Viennoiseries
[14 min 49 sec] Requirements to call a product “organic”
[17 min 39 sec] Plans for the future
Links & Resources
 











Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Transcript

Vocab List

Questions

Buy Full Notes

When we visited Provins, a historic medieval town in France, we discovered Carla Renault’s very cute little shop called “La Ronde des Abeilles”. There you can find home-made produce with rose de Provins and honey (we bought delicious miel à la rose et confit de rose!). Learn what makes the rose de Provins so special. Find out how Carla and her husband unexpectedly became beekeepers. There’s also many fascinating aspects about the (not so) secret life of bees in this episode….And if you visit her one day, Carla will show you photos of her roses. In the shop you also get to see old beekeeping equipment. Don’t miss it!
Episode Timeline
[04 min 44 sec] What makes the rose de Provins special
[06 min 40 sec] Harvesting the petals
[10 min 08 sec] Carla’s rose produce
[13 min 35 sec] How Carla and her husband became beekeepers
[16 min 00 sec] Inside the beehive
[17 min 35 sec] How the bees keep warm in winter
[19 min 15 sec] The life of a bee: a full career!
[22 min 30 sec] What happens when the queen bee dies
[24 min 34 sec] About male bees
[26 min 52 sec] Bee stings
Links & Resources

"La ronde des abeilles" - 3 rue des Beaux-arts - 77160 Provins – France
http://www.provins.org/larondedesabeilles.htm
Episode 56 – “Working with Birds of Prey: Falconer Philippe Hertel”: frenchvoicespodcast.com/episode56

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Transcript

Vocab List

Questions

Buy Full Notes

In part two of Hélène Méhault’s interview, we’ll rewind time back to World War 1. The stories shared in this interview are not the historical facts you’ve learnt in your class textbooks. We’re going to take a closer look at the role of women during the Great War. Also, you’ll discover how the reconstruction process went in post-war France and how cemeteries and memorials are actually a legacy from this tormented period.
Episode Timeline
[05 min 10 sec] Developments in medicine and psychology
[11 min 00 sec] The role of women during WWI: work
[14 min 10 sec] Women and moral support
[17 min 17 sec] After the war: ruins
[18 min 58 sec] The red zone
[22 min 32 sec] Lessons from the war
[23 min 55 sec] Cemeteries and memorials
[28 min 50 sec] How Helen came to love history
Links & Resources

Marne 14-18 (Centre d’Interprétation de Suippes): http://www.marne14-18.fr
French Your Way Podcast, episode 82 : The Difference Between Deuxième and Second in French: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast82

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Transcript

Vocab List

Questions

Buy Full Notes

In this two-part episode, we’ll rewind time back to World War I with Hélène Méhault, directrice du Centre d’Interprétation Marne 14-18. The stories shared in this interview are not the historical facts you’ve learnt in your class textbooks. Instead, we’re going to have a close look at how life was like in the trenches, especially food wise. What were the soldiers eating? (not to mention the civilians). How were they supplied and what do the containers and available foods tell us about the conflict? We’ll also talk about first aid in war zone and the medical developments dating from the Great War.
Episode Timeline
[05 min 30 sec] Marne 14-18
[07 min 32 sec] La popote du Poilu: definitions
[12 min 09 sec] Why provisions system evolved during the war
[14 min 30 sec] White flag
[16 min 48 sec] Water supply
[18 min 13 sec] What the soldiers ate
[22 min 18 sec] Civilians and access to food
[23 min 54 sec] Regional foods
[25 min 20 sec] ANZAC Day and biscuits
[27 min 22 sec] First aid in war zone
[29 min 59 sec] The most common types of injuries
[32 min 31 sec] Medical developments during WWI
Links & Resources

Marne 14-18 (Centre d’Interprétation de Suippes): http://www.marne14-18.fr
French Your Way Podcast, episode 82 : The Difference Between Deuxième and Second in French
Anzac biscuits recipe: http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/anzac-biscuits-L79.html

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Transcript

Vocab List

Questions

Buy Full Notes

Claire Feuerstein is a French professional tennis player who agreed to share with you the challenges and the rewards of her high-level career. You’’ll find out about the different types of surface, her routine training, discipline and diet and much more. Claire will also share her valuable tips on how to handle stress!
Episode Timeline
[04 min 52 sec] The beginnings of a future tennis player
[06 min 35 sec] When does one become a professional player?
[10 min 12 sec] Why making a living from tennis is difficult
[12 min 43 sec] Claire’s favourite player
[14 min 05 sec] The different types of surface
[18 min 38 sec] Claire’s routine training
[21 min 00 sec] Discipline and work/life balance
[23 min 37 sec] Diet of a professional tennis player
[26 min 20 sec] What Claire finds most challenging
[27 min 36 sec]The best part with playing tennis
[32 min 32 sec] Claire’s tips on how to handle stress
[34 min 19 sec] How Claire sees her post-playing future
Links & Resources

French Voices, Episode 14 : Travel the World While Playing Tennis

Photos courtesy of Claire Feuerstein











Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!

Transcript

Vocab List

Questions

Buy Full Notes

Do you know Jean de La Fontaine? He was the most famous French fable writer – does The Hare and the Turtle ring a bell? Find out more about his life and legacy in this episode!
Episode Timeline
[04 min 49 sec] Who was Jean de La Fontaine ?
[07 min 24 sec] An approximate date of birth
[09 min 00 sec] Describing Jean de La Fontaine’s house
[11 min 15 sec] Jean de La Fontaine’s father
[13 min 09 sec] What Jean de La Fontaine liked
[14 min 25 sec] Did Jean de La Fontaine live from his writing ?
[16 min 55 sec] The art of conversation
[18 min 25 sec] What makes the fables successful
[22 min 18 sec] Jean de La Fontaine’s most famous fable ?
[24 min 52 sec] Jean de La Fontaine’s confession
[26 min 40 sec] Repenting
[28 min 58 sec] Brigida’s favourite fable
Links & Resources
www.musee-jean-de-la-fontaine.fr

La Cigale et la Fourmi
La cigale ayant chanté
Tout l'été,
Se trouva fort dépourvue
Quand la bise fut venue :
Pas un seul petit morceau
De mouche ou de vermisseau.
Elle alla crier famine
Chez la fourmi sa voisine,
La priant de lui prêter
Quelque grain pour subsister
Jusqu’à la saison nouvelle.
« Je vous paierai, lui dit-elle,
Avant l’août, foi d’animal,
Intérêt et principal. »
La fourmi n’est pas prêteuse :
C’est là son moindre défaut.
« Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud ?
Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse.
— Nuit et jour à tout venant
Je chantais, ne vous déplaise.
— Vous chantiez ? J’en suis fort aise :
Eh bien ! Dansez maintenant. »

(a translation by Don Webb - http://www.bewilderingstories.com/issue209/cigale.html)

The cricket had sung her song
all summer long
but found her victuals too few
when the north wind blew.
Nowhere could she espy
a single morsel of worm or fly.

Her neighbor, the ant, might,
she thought, help her in her plight,
and she begged her for a little grain
till summer would come back again.

"By next August I’ll repay both
Interest and principal; animal’s oath."

Now, the ant may have a fault or two
But lending is not something she will do.
She asked what the cricket did in summer.

"By night and day, to any comer
I sang whenever I had the chance."

"You sang, did you? That’s nice. Now dance."

Did you like this podcast? You can support my work by leaving a review on iTunes. Your kind words warm my heart and also help me be found by more passionate learners of French. Merci beaucoup!

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and never miss a new episode!