Adventuress: October 2013

Word classes

Word classes or part of speech is one of the grammatical groups, such as noun, verb and adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, and determiner into which words are divided depending on their use. Word classes divided into two, they are: Closed and open word classes

1. Closed word classes

Some classes of words are called closed because they contain a relatively small number of items to which no new words can normally be added. These are words (prepositions and conjunctions) which make connections (connectives or connectors), pronouns and words (including articles) like the, some, and each that co-occur with nouns - these are called determiners.

Closed word classes including to:

Pronoun: A pronoun is a substitute for a noun or a noun phrase. Example: She, them, who, that, himself
Conjunction: A conjunction is a connector. A coordinate conjunction connects words or groups of words that are grammatically the same. A subordinate conjunction connects a subordinate, or dependent, clause to a main clause. Example: And, but, if, or, while, unless
Preposition: A preposition is a connector that introduces a prepositional phrase. It usually connects a noun or noun phrase to the part of the sentence modified by the whole prepositional phrase, and it shows the relation between the two. Example : In, across, at, by, near, within

Determiner: A word which co-occurs with a noun to show meanings such as number, quantity or identity (the, some, each). Example A, the, any, my, those, which

2. Open word classes

Other classes of word are constantly being added to. Each contains a vast number of terms already. They are open to new words being introduced. The open classes are nouns, verbs and the words which qualify them, adjectives and adverbs. These form the bulk of a language's vocabulary or lexis (also lexicon, though this sometimes refers to a published version). These classes may be called lexical whereas the closed-class words are structural or functional. These tables illustrate the two kinds of word class.

Open word classes including to:

Noun: A noun is a name for someone or something. It can be someone or something in particular, or someone or something in general. Example:

Abstract: fear, joy
Concrete: chair, mud
Common: boy, town
Proper: Fred, Hull

Verb: A verb is the action word in a statement. Some verbs link the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective. Example: Transitive: bite, steal
                             Intransitive: live, cry
                             Modal: can, will, may
                             Auxiliary: be, have, do
Adjective: An adjective is a modifier. Usually it modifies, or makes more exact, the meaning of a noun or pronoun. Example: Descriptive: lazy, tall
Comparative: lazier
Superlative: tallest
Adverb: An adverb is a modifier. Usually it modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Example: Manner: reluctantly, keenly, easily, softly
Time: soon, often
Place: here, there

The culture of France

1. Habit

For French people now say the greeting should be followed by their name, such as Bonjour Doni, then do the shaking hands and making eye contact are profound, often followed by a hug and even kiss. Likewise suppose after saying greetings, we met again with the same people, then we should say hello again to the words of Re - Bonjour Doni, it is insulting if not to make eye contact while saying BonjourDoni because for them it is an insult to the value Individual values they hold in high regard, which impressed not pay attention to his interlocutor.

When you’re introduced to a French person, you should say ‘good day, Sir/Madam’ ( bonjour madame/ monsieur) and shake hands (a single pump is enough – neither limp nor knuckle-crushing). (hi or hello) is used only among close friends and young people. When saying goodbye, it’s a formal custom to shake hands again.

2. Behavior

Acceptable Public Behavior

The people of France are arrogant and cool.
The French have a great respect for privacy. Knock and wait before entering into a room. Additionally, do not "drop in" unannounced. Always give notice before your arrival.
French people would appreciate if you try to speak French with them.
“A good posture is considered a sign of breeding in this culture”, do not put your hands in your pockets, and do not eat chewing gum in public.
In general, French people stand close to each other during a conversation.

3. Custom

v Traditional ceremony and custom

Via France hosts an excellent site which lists fairs and festivals, traditional ceremonies, as well as sporting events, concerts, and trade shows for all regions throughout France.

Celebrations Bastille Day is probably the best known of the uniquely French holidays, but it certainly isn't the only chance to celebrate in France. Indeed, celebrations take place throughout the year and one is never far off from an excuse to pop open a bottle of champagne. Easter French traditions for Easter include chocolate bells and a big family luncheon, many times featuring lamb dishes. The celebrating continues with Easter Monday, a national holiday, a day many people celebrate by eating omelets.

MFrance The period leading up to Lent is celebrated in France, as it is in many places in the world, with much merry-making and fanfare. Learn about some of the French traditions in Guyane, an overseas department of France in South America.

Log this is a wonderful French custom going back many, many centuries. The modern day take on the buche de Noël is usually a sweet cake, and included here is a simple recipe along with the story of this custom.

4. Way of life

a) Life style

Ø Food

The French typically eat only a simple breakfast ("petit déjeuner") which consists of coffee or tea, served traditionally in a large handle less "bol" (bowl) and bread or breakfast pastries (croissants). Lunch ("déjeuner") and dinner ("dîner") are the main meals of the day. Formal four course meals consist of a starter course ("entrée"), a salad, a main course ("plat principal"), and finally a cheese or dessert course. While French cuisine is often associated with rich desserts, in most homes dessert consists of only fruit or yogurt.

Ø Tobacco and drug

The cigarette smoking age is 18 years. According to a widespread cliché, smoking has been part of French culture. Smoking is now banned in all public places (stations, museums, etc.); an exception exists for special smoking rooms fulfilling drastic conditions, see below. A special exemption was made for cafés and restaurants, clubs, casinos, bars, etc. which ended, 1 January 2008.Opinion polls suggest 70% of people support the ban. Previously, under the former implementation rules of the 1991 Évin law, restaurants, cafés etc. just had to provide smoking and non-smoking sections, which in practice were often not well separated.

b) Music

France boasts a wide variety of indigenous folk music, as well as styles played by immigrants from Africa, Latin America and Asia. In the field of classical music, France has produced a number of legendary composers, like Gabriel Faure, while modern pop music has seen the rise of popular French hip hop, French rock, techno/funk, and turntablists/djs.

The Fête de la Musique was created in France (first held in 1982), a music festival, which has since become worldwide. It takes place every June 21, on the first day of summer.

c) Art and architecture

Gothic art and architecture originated in France in the 12th century around Paris and then spread to all of Europe. In the 13th century, French craftsmen developed the stained glass painting technique and sophisticated illuminated manuscripts for private devotion in the new gothic style. The final phase of gothic architecture, known as Flamboyant, also began in France in the 15th century before spreading to the rest of Europe.

The 17th century was one of intense artistic achievements : French painting emerged with a distinct identity, moving from Baroque to Classicism. Famous classic painters of the 17th century in France are Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain. French architecture also proved influential with the Palace of Versailles, built for the powerful king Louis XIV, becoming the model of many European royal palaces. During the 18th century the Rococo style emerged as a frivolous continuation of the Baroque style. The most famous painters of the era were Antoine Watteau, François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard. At the end of the century, Jacques-Louis David and Dominique Ingres were the most influential painters of the Neoclassicism.

The Louvre in Paris is one of the most famous and the largest art museums in the world, created by the new revolutionary regime in 1793 in the former royal palace. It holds a vast amount of art of French and other artists, e.g. the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, and classical Greek Venus de Milo and ancient works of culture and art from Egypt and the Middle East.

d) Sport

Football (French: Le Foot) is the most popular sport in France. Other popular sports played in France are rugby. union, cycling, tennis, handball, basketball and sailing.

France is notable for holding and winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998, and holding the annual cycling race Tour de France, and the tennis Grand Slam tournament the French Open.

Sport is encouraged in school, and local sports clubs receive financial support from the local governments. While football is definitely the most popular, rugby union and rugby league takes dominance in the southwest, especially around the city of Toulouse (see: Rugby union in France and Rugby league in France).

5. Communication

· French is the official language in France.

· If you do not speak French, it is very important that you apologize for your lack of knowledge.

· Most individuals in business speak English.

· The French have a great appreciation for the art of conversation.

· The French frequently interrupt each other, as the argument is a form of entertainment.

· The French often complain that North Americans lecture rather than converse.

· Be sensitive to the volume of your voice. Americans are known to offend everyone in a restaurant, meeting, or on the street with their loud voices and braying laughter.

· Eye contact is frequent and intense, and can often be intimidating to North Americans.

6. Belief

France is a secular country where freedom of thought and of religion is preserved. poll found that 61% of the French population describe themselves as Roman Catholics, 21% as Atheists, 4% as Muslims, 3% as Protestants, 1% as Buddhists, and 1% as Jews. France guarantees freedom of religion as a constitutional right and the government generally respects this right in practice. A long history of violent conflict between groups led the state to break its ties to the Catholic Church early in the last century and adopt a strong commitment to maintaining a totally secular public sector.

7. System of education

The French educational system is highly centralised. It is divided into three different stages: primary education, or enseignement primaire, corresponding to grade school in the United States; secondary education, or collège and lycée, corresponding to middle and high school in the United States; and higher education (l'universitéor les Grandes écoles).

Primary and secondary education is predominantly public (private schools also exist, in particular a strong nationwide network of primary and secondary Catholic education), while higher education has both public and private elements. At the end of secondary education, students take the baccalauréat exam, which allows them to pursue higher education.

8. Value

The French are very polite and when they go somewhere and address someone before they say anything else they always say "Bonjour" and the person they talk to will reply in kind.

They are environment conscious and do not leave litter everywhere as so many English people do. The verges of roads and motorways, beaches and public spaces are totally clear of litter.

They are very family orientated and have frequent family "get togethers" where parents sit for hours around a meal and the kids run around and play all together. On ordinary days families sit at a table and have proper meals at set times where they discuss the day and their activities. No grazing or snacking between meals takes place and they do not eat sitting in front of a television. They like things to look nice. Tables will have a tablecloth rather than mats and each person is given a proper napkin.

They keep a straight face and rather stern expression on their faces as they go about their business and do not smile at strangers in the street or in shops , but when they meet someone they know, they shake hands and are very cordial.

They are rather reserved at first when they meet someone new but once the ice is broken they are open and very welcoming. When they make friends it is for good and they will walk the extra mile to help a friend even if it costs them considerable time and effort.

If they are invited somewhere they will always take flowers for their hostess or bring a present such as chocolates. They are punctual and will arrive at the time specified, not as often done in the UK where guests deliberately arrive twenty minutes later than specified so as not to be the first.

When you arrive somewhere out of the blue the people that you are calling on will automatically offer you something to drink after inviting you into their home.

Reference

http://french.lovetoknow.com/French_Social_Customs

http://www.justlanded.com/english/France/Articles/Culture/Social-customs-in-France

http://www.easy-french-food.com/french-traditions.html#.UkEj1NJg9SE

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.cyborlink.com