Thursday 24 May 2012

How to master the French Argot....

Photo Rodofphe Sebbah ' Ecole Primaire, Paris'


Now I'm spoiling you.... au propre et au figuré! 
I never introduce my students to any argot or slang unless they have used the past subjunctive deuxième forme... correctly 5 times in a row but  I've just found a great website about learning French argot and yes... I will share it. Not only it has some very good dialogues but you could also listen to them at different speed and practice with exercises..... 


Here is the website.  Yes I know, I'm too good with you.....
Use it wisely.....


I've copied the introduction by André Bougaïeff, Ph.D., Professeur titulaire ,Département de Lettres et communication sociale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières 
' L'argot is a very casual way of speaking French. You should not use it in a formal situation where politeness and good manners are required. But with good friends, with family, in a relaxed context, you can use it to create a more friendly linguistic environment. But beware, not everybody has the same understanding of l'argot. Some people may use it quite casually every day, others will avoid it in general. 
Originally, l'argot was a secret language invented in the 17th century by robbers in the city of Paris, in order not to be understood by police spies. Today, it means «special language», parallel to standard French. All French people, at all socio-economic levels in France, know or use some argot, even the president of France, or famous writers at the Académie française! 
...../.....
The main goal of this site is to increase your proficiency in understanding l'argot so you won't be at a loss the first time you hear it around you during a trip to France. 
To begin, click on leçon 1 and follow the lessons and the exercises, beginning by a dialog in  Argot - Slow speed. Improve immediately your aural skills by listening carefully to the dialogs with MP3 while reading the texts. 
After having worked strenuously at this site, take a rest by reading the words of 254 excellent songs in argot by the famous French argot song-writer Pierre Perret, at this address: http://www.paroles.net/artis/1760   (and buy his CDs; the songs, poetic and funny, are worth the price).

You need the MP3 application in your hard drive in order to listen to the recorded dialogs. 

PS; Have you notice the great picture Mr Rodolphe Sebbah has very kindly let me used... Could not have dreamed  better illustration....
Have a look at his pictures on Face book

No comments:

Post a Comment