Read the information that follows to learn more about the French influence on the English language:
- Today’s vocabulary is about 45% French origin.
- More than 10,000 French words were borrowed during the Middle English period.
- French was the principal language of culture and civilization in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Europe.
- French words and phrases are often perceived as elegant and educated.
Now that you know how French has influenced English, study each word that follows and try to pronounce it. It may take you a couple of tries to sound out the words or phrases, but the links to the pronunciations will help you.
Source: Giant check, iStockPhoto
carte blanche
noun
Language: French (“white, or blank, paper,” the French sign for military surrender)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/'kärt- 'blänsh,- 'blänch/
How it’s used: Giving someone carte blanche suggests that they have full authority to make decisions. Giving someone a signed blank check with the amount left blank implies the same thing; you completely trust that person to make decisions.
Example: Jackie’s parents gave her carte blanche to buy anything she wanted.
Source: World War I Postcard from France, abac077, Flickr
tête–à–tête
noun
Language: French (“head to head”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/'teitə 'teit/ /tĕtatĕt/
How it’s used: Broadly, a tête–à–tête describes a private conversation between two people. The word suggests that the conversation might be secret, intimate, or even romantic.
Example: The quiet café’s private little room was a perfect place for a tête–à–tête.
Source: Ballet Nacional de Cuba pas de deux, Chrys Omori, Wikipedia
pas de deux
noun
Language: French (“step for two”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/-'də(r),- 'dü/
How it’s used: The term describes a moment in a ballet, movie, or show when a couple performs an intricate dance. In the same way that a guitar solo shows off the guitarist’s skill, a pas de deux can literally put two dancers in the spotlight. As a metaphor, pas de deux might describe any complicated interactions between two people or groups, like the give-and-take between Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
Example: In the ballet’s ballroom scene of Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters performed a pas de deux in which time ceased.
Source: “Bon Appetit Magazine,
Knapp Communications”
bon appétit
noun
Language: French (“good appetite”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/bó-nä-pā-tē/
How it’s used: A cheerful phrase that’s said to someone who is about to enjoy a good meal or—if you want to be ironic—about to eat a very bad meal!
Example: After grilling a thick and hearty burger, Joe served it to Henry and said “bon appétit!”
Source: “Rainbow Ts,” Cayusa, Flickr
déjà vu
noun
Language: French (“already seen”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/,dā- zhä- 'vü, -'vue/
How it’s used: A strange, eerie feeling of having already seen, heard, or done something, even when you know you haven’t.
Example: Although I’d never been to Balmorhea, Texas, I couldn’t shake the feeling of déjà vu.
For the activity that follows, see if you can choose the correct French word or phrase for each blank in the paragraph. Take your time and refer back to the definitions above as many times as necessary. Choose your response from each pull-down menu.
