Pardon My French: Unleash Your Inner Gaul

by Charles Timoney

The French you learned in school won’t get you far! Pardon My French is an entertaining and useful guide to the words and phrases every Francophile, traveler, student, and word maven should know, with fascinating lore and tidbits that make sense of the Gallic mind-set.

Englishman Charles Timoney was thrown into French life headfirst twenty-five years ago when he and his wife moved to native France. He had studied French in school, but his memory of vocabulary lists and verb-conjugation drills proved no match for day-to-day living and communicating with French coworkers. As he blundered towards fluency, he collected the idioms and phrases that no one ever taught him in a classroom and that wonderfully (sometimes wickedly) epitomized l’esprit francais. Pardon My French includes insider’s language tips for dining, shopping, understanding French slang, and more. Selections include:

• Faire un canard, which literally means “to do a duck,”but also refers to dunking sugar lumps in coffee and is the preferred way to get a kick of sugar caffeine in France.
• Tablette de chocloat, which literally means “chocolate bar,” but is also the term for a finely muscled male stomach in France. Since the English equivalent is a “six pack,” it’s a splendid example of how differently we see things!

Packed throughout with whimsical cartoons and trivia (including the words to “La Marseillaise”), Pardon My French is a marvelous armchair trip abroad.

Genres: France, Nonfiction, Language, Travel, Humor, Cultural, Reference

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is slightly more useful as a cultural primer than a linguistic handbook. The author is a Englishman who moved to France with his wife 25 years ago and has numerous little vignettes about Gallic tendencies that he frames around a single French word or grammar point. The thing that prevents this from becoming too tedious or self-absorbed (a la Kristin Espinasse from French Word-a-Day) is that Timoney is genuinely witty and entertaining, tackling subjects of great sociological interest. For instance, he talks about how it's not uncommon for French men to have "Marie" in their name (it's a sign of coming from an extreme Catholic family), about the all-purpose sports cheer "Allez les bleus," and how Joan of Arc is still a subject of acrimony between the French and British ("the number of times colleagues have reproached me with the words "Vous avez brule Jeanne d'Arc" is considerable"). Hilarious and stoked with enough vocab that I don't feel bad neglecting my French grammar workbook.

[Spednic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very funny book, sorting out the puzzling quirks in the French language and personalities........
I whole heartedly recommend it to any Francophile who has struggled with the French language, French friends, or traveled in the country.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful at upper intermediate levels of French and above. This is a collection of useful anecdotes arranged alphabetically and by topic dealing with cultural differences.

[Daria Zheglo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there is any single book which English speakers need to read about France during the first year of staying in the country, that’s the one. If I was one of the administrative specialists at la Prefecture, I’d have sold it there, right after your OFII is stamped.

Anyway, even though this book is hilarious and very sharp, I give it 4* because it lacks any international aspect, and depicts France just from the perspective of an Englishman. For instance, some of the Frenchy lifestyle aspects which amuse or irritate the author, are completely normal for people of other nationalities. Yes, Russians, also put a comma, not a dot, when it comes to numbers, like 3,17 euros.

So, 5* for the language and sarcasm, 4* for the accuracy and close-mindedness.

To read or not to read? Why not. It’s really well-written and amusing. The only thing, you better read it if you speak at least A2 level of French to understand better what the author is talking about.

[Elizzy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

English review below.

Crítica en español.
Muy divertido libro para enseñarte expresiones y curiosidades de la lengua francesa y del pueblo francés. Evidentemente, debes tener un buen nivel de inglés para leerlo.
Lo más divertido para mí es que siendo española, había comportamientos franceses muy cercanos a los míos, pero que resultan diametralmente opuestos para un inglés.

English review.
Very funny book to teach you expressions and curiosities of the French language and the French people. Obviously, you must have a good level of English to read it.
The most fun for me is that being Spanish, there were French behaviors very close to mine, but they are diametrically opposed to an Englishman.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun way to learn about French culture, and maybe learn a few new words, but don't think of it as a language primer (which it is not, and it does not pretend to be).

I found parts of it hilarious and all of it interesting, but I don't know how accurate it is. A few too many comments along the lines of "I still don't know what that means, but it seems to be used..." I really wish a little research had occurred to answer these because I'm left wondering about the validity of the other 95% of the book.

Overall, very well written, very interesting, lots of personal insights and well worth reading. I'd give it an extra half star if I could as it's better than a three, but making me doubt the writer means it doesn't make a four star rating.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

You must read this. Maybe not before moving to France and maybe not in your first year. It would be a good reference to have, but reading it through may be info-overload at first. But after your first year, once you have a little Franco-life under your belt, it can really help illuminate and clarify what's going on around you and why. (Why, oh why?) Plus it's a good way to build up a little confidence once you see how much you've already learned and assimilated.

[Celeste Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty hysterical if you've spent any length of time in France or happen to have a crazy French grandmother like I do. My inner Gaul indeed needed some unleashing, so pardon me while I go bouffer avec Vercingetorix.

[Mripma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good that it is worth buying. Clear explanation of so many cultural and language subleties in France.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Would be fine for any level of French learner, from the novice to the undergraduate. Full of the necessary colloquialisms that you just don't tend to get in the textbooks.

[Jill Colonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this book when I needed it on coming to Paris 25 years ago? Loved the author's light quirky humour and how the book is presented by subject from 'Food and Drink' to 'Paperwork' to 'The Business World", with a list of essential words that are each explained as to how the French language and culture tick.
This book is for someone who already speaks a bit of the language and understands a bit of French culture and I find it's perfect to give to my parents - even after all this time, I still don't think they understand the French education system and if they read this, they'll not shy away from the subject with their grandchildren.

[Krysten · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of these anecdotes (having to do with farts) actually made me lol. I thought there was maybe too much information about the particularities about working and paying taxes in France that the average visitor doesn't really need to know but overall this was a fun, light, quick introduction to some terms that aren't necessarily taught in high school.

[Louis Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amusing read for francophiles and anyone deeply interested in the French language. The Brit humour heightens the experience with gentle jabs at the mutual disdain; I found myself laughing quite uncontrollably at times on my commute even.

Being able to read simple French (roughly A2) would really help, but that is enough to profit from this book's full value.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read for those who want to really understand the idioms and slang words before going to France. Assuming, of course, you already speak French. Still, an entertaining book.

[Aaron James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wit and culture are blended tactfully in this handbook which should be a must-read for intermediate French-learners.

[Xfnty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly tasty when you're a French reader as I am.

[Riley Casadei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très cute! did a great job of romantacizing France while properly and excessively making fun of the French

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With French grandchildren we need to know more about French society, and this was both helpful and extremely funny in places.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned a few useful phrases, and chuckled a few times--but then out of nowhere came a nasty, misogynistic remark about one of the author's French colleagues, and I was done.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, subtitled 'Unleash Your Inner Gaul'(!), is a book that illustrates aspects of French life through words. It is divided into chapters on subjects like Food and Drink, Education, Young Peoples' Slang, Entertainment, etc., 12 in all. Within each chapter there is a list of perhaps 20 words in alphabetical order, with a paragraph or two on each word. The chosen words are ones which have different meanings in French cfd. to English, or describe something uniquely French, or a French way of doing things, particularly when it involves bureaucracy.
The tone is wry, and a bit dry, but without the pointless Francophobia of some books. It is actually hard to make practical use of, since one can't remember all the words, let alone their meanings. But there are some interesting insights and information about the French. For example, when giving blood in England
"After you had finished giving blood you were led to a rickety camp bed and made to lie down. A charming nurse would then bring you a reviving cup of tea and a couple of custard cream biscuits. The plain surroundings and the simple tea seemed to increase the feeling of virtue that you derived from doing your social duty. Once you had finished your tea you went placidly back to work. Giving blood 'a la Francaise' is not a matter of virtue; it is a gastronomic extravaganza... The difference lies in what happens afterwards. There is no question of being led to a camp bed; even less is there talk of cups of tea. The nurse leads you to a table groaning under the weight of croissants, baguettes, ham, saucisson, pickles and tomatoes and, most surprising of all, carafes of red wine."
That gives a good flavour(!) of the book.

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing little book, full of useful info on everyday life in France. Surprisingly enough for this type of book, most entries were quite accurate too;-) A few entries were quite annoying however and suggested that Timoney's researches were sometimes a bit shallow (his entry on the word "haro" for example: it seems that Timoney was never able to find the meaning of this word, when a quick look in Le Petit Robert would have enlightened him!). This book completed Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong: Why We Love France but Not the French quite nicely, by giving a very "practical" approach on living in France:)

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this. Having lived in France for a year, I knew maybe a quarter or less of the terms, and it is truly a golden resource to get to the point of real familiarity and fluency. It does come from a businessman's standpoint, so if you are a student or in some other situation you'll have a different set of terms and people to work with. People should read this before they go and perhaps refer to it while there. You know what would be cool would be a website, a la Urban Dictionary, where people could add their own terms and refine the definitions and usages. And that way people who are trying to travel light wouldn't have to have the book with them.

[Amber + Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is said to be witty and funny. Maybe I am too American to have discovered the humor in the book, however I did find the book informative of what I can only presume is everyday vocabulary. Just because I did not find the humor does not mean the book is dry. The book is not dry and is not tedious or boring at all and I believe that reason is because Charles Timoney sets each word individualy in its own paragraph in its own section.

[Caron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whirlwind tour of French culture from long-term expat, written in a witty, punchy style. The words and their explanations are presented in categorised lists, so the book is probably best dipped into rather than waded through in one go. I suspect some of the terms are already dated, which is inevitable if you try to chart the development of slang. NB It assumes a fairly solid grounding in the language.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book to help us poor, sad Anglophones understand a bit more of French culture. You do need a bit of knowledge of French to get the most of it I think. There are many great insights into the French, the way they think, and what they do. I'm still amazed by learning about book spines- language effects so much of our world, even how we look at a bookshelf! Read my review in full:


http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot...

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've taken a fair amount of French in school, and in flipping through the book wasn't sure I'd learn all that much new. The vocabulary items are a sort of "hook" for Timoney's quasi-memoir of being an Anglophone among the Gauls. Definitely recommended.
Disclaimer: I'd be more than pleased to read a book (in French if necessary!) along the lines of "Oh, Those Crazy Anglos!"

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a great time with this book! It's probably most interesting, though, for people who have some knowledge of French. It answered some of my long-time questions about odd vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and French culture idiosyncracies.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great range of vocabulary and loved the little stories inserted about how he learned the words. I'm wondering how many of these words are still used now, considering this book was published 4 years ago and language changes so frequently.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sort of dictionary of everyday French words that they don't teach you about at school. It was a good insight into French culture as well as the language. It explains things in a simple, conversational manner so it's easy to dip in and out of.

[Louise Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real French from an English author who has lived and worked in France for many years. Slang and idioms that you can truly use.