French: Ouverture

Key point 1: Using visual clues

When learning a language, it is important to be aware of visual clues. They often help you understand the context: for example, a shrug of the shoulders may indicate indifference or resignation, even if the words seem neutral. They can indeed give an idea as to the language the speaker may be using. They may also help your visual memory: you'll probably remember words and phrases better if you associate them with images. So, we begin with an exercise in visual concentration.

Grammar Point 1 Using ‘de’ in expressions of quantity

The word de is used in expressions of quantity (including negative quantities such as pas de), whether the noun that follows is singular or plural.

trop de vent too much wind

beaucoup trop de monde far too many people

pas assez de temps not enough time

pas tellement d'amis not that many friends

plus de six semaines de congé more than six weeks' leave

moins de jeux fewer games

pas de glaces à la vanille no vanilla ice cream

énormément d'argent lots of money

un tas de mouches (informal) loads of flies

pas mal d'algues (informal) quite a lot of seaweed

des centaines de vacanciers hundreds of holiday-makers

But note the use of des with the expressions la plupart and la majeure partie when followed by a noun in the plural:

la plupart des Français most French people

la majeure partie des commerçants most shopkeepers

The suffix -aine indicates approximate quantities, except for (demi-)douzaine which may mean exactly (six) or twelve.

Hier, j'ai planté une dizaine de rosiers dans mon jardin.

Yesterday I planted around ten rose bushes in my garden.

Je vais passer une quinzaine de jours à Paris.

I'm going to spend a fortnight in Paris.

J'ai appelé une trentaine de campings, mais ils sont tous complets.

I phoned about thirty campsites, but they're all full.

Je connais une demi-douzaine de personnes ici, c'est tout.

I know about half a dozen people here, that's all.

Je voudrais une douzaine d'œufs, s'il vous plaît.

I'd like a dozen eggs please.

Key point 2: Learning phrases

We suggest that you learn the examples given. Here are two suggested methods to help you do this.

• Where there is an English translation, cover up the French and try to translate the English back into French. Check as you go along. Then reverse the process.
• Close your book and, from memory, write out all the examples in French on a piece of paper. Then look at your book in order to check back.

As you progress through studing a language, why not collect examples in a notebook for each grammar rule and make up some of your own too, using the new vocabulary that you have learned? Share these examples with other students.

Grammar Point 2 Writing an informal letter or postcard

When you are writing to someone it is important to use the appropriate opening and closing phrases. These vary according to who you are writing to.

Make sure that there is agreement (in gender and number) between cher and the name or names that follow.

And you can of course add a message to someone else:

Meilleurs souvenirs à/Bien des choses à…

Kindest regards to…

Bonjour à…

Say hello to…

We suggest you start a section in a notebook devoted to letterwriting, in which you could record these and other examples of opening and closing phrases as you come across them (for instance when you get a postcard or letter from a French-speaking friend). If you have a dictionary which has a 'Language in Use'; or 'Communicative Grammar' section you will also find more examples there.

Would you like to spend your own holiday on the beach featured on the video? Activity 4 gives you the chance to express your views in writing and to revise the expressions you have met so far in this section. You will also be listening to some audio materials for the first time.