I love the French language so much (which helps with my degree) yes, it’s ridiculously complex sometimes with far too many tenses and sentences to say what can be said with one word in English, but that is partially what I love about it! It’s almost like going back in time to Jane Austen’s England when they were very wordy! Also the way the French speak is fantastic, not only their accent (a French person saying ‘so British’ will never fail to make me smile) but also the musicality of when they speak. The French don’t believe me, but to the English French is a very musical language. They also detest the word ‘like’ and Britishisms which are everywhere in France now. In a way I agree with the academie francais (a group of old French men who decide what words are allowed in the dictionary) in refusing to acknowledge pretty much all foreign words, like walkman. But sorry academie, I think you’ll find Jeans and denim were French words to begin with before Levis took them over!
The way they imitate others when they speak is fantastic too, and reminds me of being read stories when I was little and every character had a different voice and way of speaking, well every day is like that in France! Whether they’re giving their teacher a high nasal voice or imitating the accents of other French speakers, it’s a delight listening to them!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
French music
I have just realised something I love about France. Why has it taken me this long? And I don't mean why has it taken me so long to realise I love something about France, because obviously I do love loads of things about the country. I feel bad that the bad experiences have taken over my blog, it's not all bad, I promise! But on to my recent realisation:
The music. Ok, French music is, in general, bad (I hesitate to say awful or terrible, because some of it isn't, but... well. It's not amazing.) But the attitude towards music is amazing! Let me explain.
There is no concept of christmas music. Something anyone who has ever worked in retail will appreciate, as there are not non-stop christmas songs in the shops. But it also means that you get songs like 'last christmas' playing at random times of the year. Like October. Or February. Or in the summer. Which, for the hilarity as you realise that a Christmas song is playing while you're reaching for a tin of sweetcorn in the local supermarket, is fantastic!
There also seems to be no real concept of 'unfashionable' (for I can't find another way to describe such songs) music. So you will get songs that you danced to at school discos 10 years ago played in clubs, which everyone still loves. Even when it's not retro or cheese night. Also I don't think they have a concept of cheese. I LOVE the French attitude! I hate the English attitude which sometimes amounts to 'why do you like that band/music/song? They were from ages ago. You have therefore less of a person than I thought you were'. I knbow this thinking is supposed to be secondary school thinking, taken straight out of films like Mean Girls, but apparantly some people still think like this. If you are one of these people, I have no time for you.
There is also the law that over a certain percentage of songs must be French language on the radio, which seems pretty silly, but I still love it. There are also songs which are from other countries than England, U.S. or even France. Which is brilliant and an attitude we should have in England, they don't understand the lyrics. And they don't care. (Which hilariously results in Lily Allen joyfully singing 'fuck you' to a crowded shop)
Basically, the French attitude to music rocks!
The music. Ok, French music is, in general, bad (I hesitate to say awful or terrible, because some of it isn't, but... well. It's not amazing.) But the attitude towards music is amazing! Let me explain.
There is no concept of christmas music. Something anyone who has ever worked in retail will appreciate, as there are not non-stop christmas songs in the shops. But it also means that you get songs like 'last christmas' playing at random times of the year. Like October. Or February. Or in the summer. Which, for the hilarity as you realise that a Christmas song is playing while you're reaching for a tin of sweetcorn in the local supermarket, is fantastic!
There also seems to be no real concept of 'unfashionable' (for I can't find another way to describe such songs) music. So you will get songs that you danced to at school discos 10 years ago played in clubs, which everyone still loves. Even when it's not retro or cheese night. Also I don't think they have a concept of cheese. I LOVE the French attitude! I hate the English attitude which sometimes amounts to 'why do you like that band/music/song? They were from ages ago. You have therefore less of a person than I thought you were'. I knbow this thinking is supposed to be secondary school thinking, taken straight out of films like Mean Girls, but apparantly some people still think like this. If you are one of these people, I have no time for you.
There is also the law that over a certain percentage of songs must be French language on the radio, which seems pretty silly, but I still love it. There are also songs which are from other countries than England, U.S. or even France. Which is brilliant and an attitude we should have in England, they don't understand the lyrics. And they don't care. (Which hilariously results in Lily Allen joyfully singing 'fuck you' to a crowded shop)
Basically, the French attitude to music rocks!
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