** 2014 LC French - all levels - discussion, predictions, practice your French **

je suis un pomme

Thats literally the height of my french #pass

linguist wrote: »

If people wanted me to clarify what I'd written, they could have asked. There was a perfectly pleasant time being had and people wanted to practice. Let's extend the analogy further. In a discussion on higher maths, should I expect those discussing complex concepts to have to simplify or explain them lest I feel left out. Or applied maths? Or physics?

Because what's really at the root of such an unwritten rule is people's remarkable willingness to believe that a conversation in a language they don't understand must be about them! It's something I've come across holding conversations in the languages I know in this country ever since I've been able to. Would you go over to a group of people talking in a cafe or bar and ask them to speak English for your benefit? Now admittedly - and clearly in jest - one or two people here pushed it a little. If offence was taken, they should apologise. But enforcing unwritten rules in this subject area - and what we were doing was discussing this subject - has riled me a bit. I've put time and effort into my advice and it's amazing how languages have to be singled out like this.

It's nothing to do with feeling left out; the problem arose from the fact that most moderators (and members) do not speak multiple languages, and if there were discussions going on with offensive content, they couldn't be moderated. That's why it's different to physics or applied maths -- you can't insult someone through complicated formulas, as far as I'm aware. It's the opposite of assuming it's about us (sure I can understand this stuff myself, and we don't moderate the forums to check if people are talking about us). See this post.

While I personally don't see the big deal with posting or not posting translations, we've discussed it in the moderator forum and decided that since these threads are pretty much once a year events, they can be self-moderating. If anyone has a problem with something posted solely in French and wants to report it, then make sure you explain what's offensive about it in case the moderator who deals with it isn't a French speaker.

So, back to French then. Profitez-en!

LoveLamps wrote: »

aucun doute - I like it !

J'espere c'est vrai - linguist - avez vous conseils pour cet examen? j'ai peur a grace de mon niveau de francais douteux ! J'ai peur que je vais voir des questions sur sujets trop abstrait!

Le meme question pour vous Canard - avez vous conseils ? Merci

I hope it's true - Linguist - do you have advice for this exam? I'm afraid thanks to my doubtful level of french! Im afraid that i'll see questions on subjects that are too abstract

the same question for you Canard - do you have advice? Thanks

Can't think of the word for 'any' :mad:

Meme s'il y a des sujets abstraits, il ne faut pas écrire plus que 75 mots, c'est très peu ! Tout ce dont tu as besoin ("all you need"), c'est de quelques phrases que tu peux toujours utiliser. Si tu en as quelques unes, et tu sais un peu de vocabulaire, tout ira bien.

I can't think of one direct word translation for "any" myself, I feel like it depends on what you're saying.

Pour une petite rédaction sportive, dirait-on que la phrase suivante (pour conclure), est un peu.. stupide : «Si on n'abreuve pas des fleurs, elles se flétriront. Si on ne pratique aucun sport, on s'y ressemblera» ?

Je suis sûr que j'ai fait des erreurs !

Ok, now let's get back to it. Flexibility from this end too - some of my posts were bilingual, some weren't.

Guys, I'm getting the feeling very few have covered the gay marriage issue - or as it's actually called in France le mariage pour tous. It's been a huge issue because, very unexpectedly, a massive protest movement took to the streets mobilised by various right wing parties in France. That movement was called la manif pour tous: the demonstration for everyone.

Now, in Ireland, this has also been one of the issues of the year since the Government is committed to holding a referendum on it and then, of course, there was the Pantigate affair which I'll not elaborate on too much lest the mods really think I'm out to cause trouble.

I'm not convinced that a narrow question on gay marriage will appear. But I do think a broader one on the family might - the changing face of the family, gender roles, equality as one other poster said. It actually worries me that the single biggest social issue of recent years in France seems not to have been covered even though the main headings involved are on the syllabus. Is it because teachers in faith schools are afraid to touch it? If so, they might be sorry at 1200 on Wednesday.

Some of the key terms are:

le mariage pour tous = official name given by the French govt. to the new law allowing same sex couples to marry.
le mariage homosexuel/gay = what it is more likely to be called in everyday conversation
le pacs = civil partnership - open to both same sex and heterosexual couples desiring legal recognition short of marriage
la famille recomposée - non nuclear family units made up of parents and children from different relationships

Searching using any of these terms will lead you to articles and further vocabulary. Please be aware that the websites you find may not be neutral.

Quick question. For question 6 of the comprehensions do we need to quote from the text? I usually don't...

Saxo wrote: »

The only french you'll ever need to know - va te faire foutre

I remember one night I came across some French lads: Jacques, Ali, some third name and a few nameless ones. I was like "Ah, La France est le meilleur pays du monde !", and they were delighted. Then I started going "Nique tous les autres pays !" and they were like "ah non".

Great bunch of lads.

robman60 wrote: »

Merci pour la vocabulaire. C'est intéressant que la meme question existe en France et en Irlande en ce moment.
thanks for vocab. interesting that same issue exists in Ireland and France

Je suis d'accord avec linguist. La nouvelle regle a detruit cette discussion a mon avis.

Nous avons dit qu'il ne faut pas traduire tout ce qu'on dit si on ne veut pas!

There is no way of knowing for sure about Q 1(a). Most years it is a récit (like a story) so yes it would require correct and sustained use of the passé composé and the imparfait. That is one of the key reasons why people do so badly on it.

Q 1(b) is usually a more straight opinion question so the dominant tense will be present. However, occasionally the récit doesn't appear. Indeed, after last year when it was an absolute disaster zone, there could be a strong argument for two opinion pieces on Q1. The récit was introduced to encourage students to master different styles of writing. I think it's fair to say that has proved overambitious.

As regards the listening, it's difficult to say because anything from the syllabus could come up. But as regards Section V, definitely go back over vocab for accidents and incidents, deaths and injuries and numbers.

LoveLamps wrote: »

2 opinion pieces, now that would be nice!
Yeah ill definitely be doing the opinion piece option am i rright in saying the only difference between that and question 3/4 is that i should make it more personal?

I think that we should be aiming to introduce our personal opinion as much as possible in every piece although I'm open to correction.

linguist wrote: »

Yes, I suppose you're right. But it all depends on the wording of the questions. Probably very accurate of you to say that Q1 elicits a more personal response. But I wouldn't be sitting there sweating as to whether you've been too personal on Q1 and to impersonal on the others. Just answer the question. If you saw what the average standard of written work is actually like, you wouldn't worry too much!!

It's cruel to say but this is very true, the general standard seems to be pretty horrific. Lots of people in my class got less than 20/100 and some of the things I say were really terrible ("je me enjoyé" being the worst). I find it helpful to highlight a few words in the question to ensure you stay on topic, it's easy to go off the point, particularly in the stressful situation in which we'll be!

For the listening, as linguist said, it can really be anything. I'd say if you just practice the past papers over and over you should be fine; that in addition to your general knowledge of French should cover you quite well. Try this site too, it helps you to get the link in your head between what you're hearing and how it's written, which can be tricky enough in French!