Not necessarily, but in the context of the paragraph I'd say yes.
Further proof is the following paragraph
Je m'évanouis à ce spectacle horrible, il me fut impossible de le soutenir. Raphaël, voyant cela, dit que pour m'y apprivoiser il fallait que je servisse d'autel à mon tour. On me saisit, on me place au même lieu que Florette et l'infâme Italien, avec des épisodes bien plus atroces et bien autrement sacrilèges, consomme sur moi la même horreur qui venait de s'exercer sur ma compagne. On me retira de là sans mouvement, il fallut me porter dans ma chambre où je pleurai trois jours de suite en larmes bien amères le crime horrible où j'avais servi malgré moi...
― baaderonixx, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:22 (sixteen years ago) link
great! thanks M.!
― gff, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:25 (sixteen years ago) link
what is Système D??
Système débrouille. I believe it dates back to the war. Debrouiller means to manage or to figure out somehow. Système débrouille is part Macgyver, part jerry rig, part winging it.
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:25 (sixteen years ago) link
It also means self reliance, ken c.
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:34 (sixteen years ago) link
that could make this unfortunate bipedal individual
that could make known to this unfortunate bipedal individual
Ooops
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:00 (sixteen years ago) link
I had also heard the 'D' was for démerde. Google showed me a few people using this amusing construction: Planète débrouille,Système D.
It has nothing to do with Eddie Izzard. He just has a routine about trying to use his schoolboy French to communicate.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:13 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah, also démerde.
Izzard's shtick is pretty funny, though.
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:17 (sixteen years ago) link
It's great. I think the premise is different from the usual, it's not just "Oh, these crazy Frenchmen."
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:29 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah, the whole francophobic English shtick is so played out. His is more about the funny limitations of trying to communicate in another and only partially mastered tongue - that can be comedy gold. I had a friend who got pissed in Paris that even little kids spoke better French than he did.
Fwiw:
Foreign language screw-ups
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:34 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah, exactly. He's not pretending to be dumb- he can speak French!- he is just talking about the inevitable missteps and underpreparedness and whatnot, especially at the beginning.
I had a friend who got pissed in Paris that even little kids spoke better French than he did. I got pissed that the bums spoked better than I did when I saw two guys arguing and one said to the other Désolé, Monsieur, je suis désolé.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:46 (sixteen years ago) link
(Your link is blocked)
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:47 (sixteen years ago) link
It is? It worked for me.
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/comedy-goldmine/foreign-language-screwups.php
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:47 (sixteen years ago) link
It's blocked for me. I'm still in the boulot phase of my day. I'll check it when I'm on to typo, before dodo.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:55 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm still in the boulot phase of my day
J'en suis profondément désolé.
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 17:59 (sixteen years ago) link
Et moi, je suis navré.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:06 (sixteen years ago) link
Tu m'étonnes. ;)
Where did you pick up your francique, btw?
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:14 (sixteen years ago) link
Dans le coin.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:15 (sixteen years ago) link
Frankreich?
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:16 (sixteen years ago) link
Je pense que j'ai déjà raconté ma triste histoire autre part.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 19:12 (sixteen years ago) link
Je ne m'em souviens pas, hélas.
― Michael White, Thursday, 4 October 2007 19:59 (sixteen years ago) link
M WHITE: I'm writing a letter to someone in Francophone Africa. I ran my English version through Google translate, but my skills aren't really up to figuring out whether or not it ~really~ makes sense. HALP---------------(I have included a French translation below---J'ai inclus une traduction en français ci-dessousz)
Hi there,
My name is ________, and I'm a medical student at the University of __________). A filmmaker friend of mine directed me to your project's website, and suggested I get in touch with you.
Another student and I are hoping to make a film about healthcare in Congo this summer. We had originally hoped to go to Goma, but I understand that travel to and from can be very difficult, and possibly dangerous. We've got other business in Uganda (working and filming with _________), and would be traveling from there.
Do you know the best way to travel from Uganda to Congo? We've heard that the best and safest way is through Rwanda, and into Bukavu, but I also understand that it takes quite a long time, possibly days.
I've been very impressed with what the Goma Film Project has accomplished, and would love to hear more about your experiences. I hope this finds you well, and I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
___________
Salut,
Mon nom est _____, et je suis un étudiant en médecine à l'Université de _________. Un ami cinéaste m'a dirigé vers votre site web du projet, et m'a suggéré de prendre contact avec vous.
Un autre élève et moi-même sommes l'espoir de faire un film sur les soins de santé au Congo cet été. Nous avions espéré se rendre à Goma, mais je crois comprendre que Voyage à destination et en provenance peut être très difficile, et peut-être dangereux. Nous avons d'autres entreprises en Ouganda (de travail et de tournage avec le _________), et de voyager à partir de là.
Connaissez-vous la meilleure façon de Voyage à partir de l'Ouganda au Congo? Nous avons entendu dire que le meilleur et le plus sûr moyen est par le Rwanda, et dans Bukavu, mais je comprends aussi qu'il faut un certain temps, peut-être jour.
J'ai été très impressionné par ce que le projet du film de Goma a accompli, et aimerait en savoir davantage sur vos expériences. J'espère que cela vous trouve bien, et je vous souhaite tout le meilleur.
Cordialement,
__________
― i want to marry a pizza (gbx), Thursday, 18 June 2009 21:05 (fifteen years ago) link
Hey gbx - went through that translation quickly. It's not the greatest but here is a better version (I'm a native french speaker)
Bonjour,
Je m'appelle _____, et je suis un étudiant en médecine à l'Université de _________. Un ami cinéaste m'a dirigé vers le site web de votre projet, et m'a suggéré de prendre contact avec vous.
Un autre élève et moi-même essayons de faire un film sur le système de santé au Congo cet été. Nous avions prévu de nous rendre à Goma, mais je crois comprendre qqu'un tel voyage peut être très difficile, et peut-être dangereux. Nous avons d'autres affaires à régler en Ouganda (tournage avec le _________), et nous pourrions partir de là.
Connaissez-vous le meilleur moyen de se re,dre d'Ouganda au Congo? Nous avons entendu dire que le meilleur et le plus sûr moyen est par le Rwanda, même si cela peut prendre un certain temps, voire des jours.
J'ai été très impressionné par ce que le projet du film de Goma a accompli, et aimerait en savoir davantage sur votre expérience.
Meilleures salutations,
― baaderonixx, Thursday, 18 June 2009 21:16 (fifteen years ago) link
Thank you so much! I forgot about all the native french speakers on ilx, sorry!
― i want to marry a pizza (gbx), Thursday, 18 June 2009 21:21 (fifteen years ago) link
Sorry, gbx. I was detained elsewhere and just saw this.
― Le présent se dégrade, d'abord en histoire, puis en (Michael White), Thursday, 18 June 2009 21:27 (fifteen years ago) link
c'est pas grave
― baaderonixx, Thursday, 18 June 2009 21:29 (fifteen years ago) link
I meant to revive this a while back to ask about how to pronounce "quatuor" but I think I figured it out.
― Horace Silver Machine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 30 July 2009 21:20 (fifteen years ago) link
Qwa-tyu-or
― Le présent se dégrade, d'abord en histoire, puis en (Michael White), Thursday, 30 July 2009 21:30 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, that was it, thanks. The interesting part is that the "qu" is not pronounced as it is in most words in the French language because this is a borrowing from Latin, I guess.
― Horace Silver Machine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 31 July 2009 17:36 (fifteen years ago) link
TS mots fléchés contre mots croisés
― Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Hamletmachine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 15 October 2009 02:10 (fourteen years ago) link
they are a little different
http://media.teleprogrammes.fr/corporate/article/Gace47750beed1eb6b379de8a2805cb15.jpg
vs.
http://www.jouets-sajou.com/jeux/mots-croises/mots-croises-1.gif
― iatee, Thursday, 15 October 2009 02:13 (fourteen years ago) link
oh if you already knew and just wanted an opinion...fleches
― iatee, Thursday, 15 October 2009 02:19 (fourteen years ago) link
Why?
― Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Hamletmachine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 15 October 2009 02:20 (fourteen years ago) link
I dunno, the france novelty factor?
― iatee, Thursday, 15 October 2009 02:21 (fourteen years ago) link
I know what you mean.
Hm, Wiki page says fléchés may be a little easier because not as much room for lengthy clues.
― toast alien, remember barbecue!! (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 16 October 2009 02:27 (fourteen years ago) link
Yes that's the most important difference between mots fléchés and mots croisés. Also the only one I can actually think of, as a once avid mots fléchés addict.
― Jibe, Friday, 16 October 2009 23:52 (fourteen years ago) link
Dear M. White,Why do French speakers think turkeys come from India while English speakers think they come from, well, Turkey?
― Welcome To The King Pleasure-dome (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 23 November 2009 02:41 (fourteen years ago) link
And why do Spanish speakers think it is a commoner's peacock?
― Welcome To The King Pleasure-dome (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 23 November 2009 03:09 (fourteen years ago) link
As a French speaker, I find what you're saying surprising. I've always thought turkeys came from America. This because of a comic book, oompapah which took place in America and where surprised French people discovered turkeys. But whatever. I should ask my friends where they think turkeys come from, but I'm not really sure many of them would say India. So yeah, I was not really of any help to you there I guess.
― Jibe, Monday, 23 November 2009 05:20 (fourteen years ago) link
B-b-but then why do you call them dindes?
― Welcome To The King Pleasure-dome (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 23 November 2009 05:24 (fourteen years ago) link
Ha! Maybe because upon reaching America they thought they were in India. I'll go and see if I can find a better googlexplanation than that. But I would also be really sad if Oompapah lied to me!
― Jibe, Monday, 23 November 2009 05:42 (fourteen years ago) link
Ad as usual google delivers. On a very credible blog written in comic sans ms ( http://myhome27.over-blog.fr/article-24752734.html ) the following explanation is given : early navigators reaching America thought they were in India, called turkeys "poules d'inde" (indian poultry). that was rather long to say, so it was shortened to "dinde". (Yeah I guess wiki could have answered my query, but who doesn't love random blogs giving you answers to random questions?)
― Jibe, Monday, 23 November 2009 05:46 (fourteen years ago) link
Monsieur Blanc,
Magasin qui sert le meilleur café dans notre quartier?
Bonnes fêtes,
Stefan Shastois
― ┌∩┐(◕_◕)┌∩┐ (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:20 (fourteen years ago) link
Big fan of Five Star across Divis from the gas station. Santos is rad and you get a truffle w/your coffee. The Earl Grey is excellent as is the spicy one (forget the name).
Of course, taste is subjective. I'll just point out that I loathe over-roasted west-coast coffee, i.e., Pete's.
― I ♥ facebook like you ♥ cock (Michael White), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:24 (fourteen years ago) link
early navigators reaching America thought they were in India, called turkeys "poules d'inde" (indian poultry). that was rather long to say, so it was shortened to "dinde".
omg mind blown
― iatee, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:25 (fourteen years ago) link
michael, how would you say:
I love you my darling but I have chosen Black Metal
― Michael B, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:28 (fourteen years ago) link
Et bonnes fêtes à toi, aussi, Etienne!
― I ♥ facebook like you ♥ cock (Michael White), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:30 (fourteen years ago) link
Nice! I am totally down with 5-star, I love his mocha (post-bike ride) because he uses the gourmet chocolate that is so rich and delicious.
Good to know dude! I always forget about that place, he keeps telling me he makes a killer sandwich too. He's such a bro.
― ┌∩┐(◕_◕)┌∩┐ (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:31 (fourteen years ago) link
Michael B,
Je t'adore, mon/ma chéri(e), mais j'ai opté pour le métal noir.
― I ♥ facebook like you ♥ cock (Michael White), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:36 (fourteen years ago) link
thanks!
― Michael B, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:38 (fourteen years ago) link
Plus, Steve, there's a cafe across Oak, one up the street across from Falletti's, Pete's, the place up Divis where all your bicyclist bros hang, etc., and when a little Latino dude wants to open up a one-man, hole in the wall place AND serves me an excellent espresso and truffle, he gets my money every time.
― I ♥ facebook like you ♥ cock (Michael White), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:40 (fourteen years ago) link