Today we are correcting 21 more mistakes that French speakers make in English brought to
you by LetThemTalk Language school in Paris. So if you want to avoid these linguistic
faux pas then stay tuned.
Hello and welcome to LetThemTalk and this is part two of
21 mistakes French speakers make in English If you haven't seen part one yet then there is
a link in the description.
Don't confuse terrible and terrific. In English terrible means very bad whereas terrific means
great, excellent of high quality. English wine is terrible but French wine is terrific,
you like that example don't you?
Don't confuse shade and shadow. In English shade means shelter from direct sunlight.
For example "it's too hot here let's get the shade from that tree". A shadow means the
dark area caused by light hitting a surface.
This word “Jig” is spelt J-I-G and not
G-E-J learn the alphabet especially your G's, your I's, and your J's.
What's the profession of this person here. He's a rugby player (not a rugby man) and
this is a tennis player.
A comedian is somebody who makes you laugh. Somebody who acts in a play, on TV or in the
movies is called an actor or actress.
Be careful of how you use experience and Experiment in English. The meaning s seems to
have got switched between English and French. Experienced means that you have gained knowledge
over time "he's an experienced accountant", Experiment is what you might do in a laboratory.
Be careful how you use the word normally. In English. In English it means something that
is usual. I normally have a big breakfast that's correct but you can't use it with a
future meaning as you do in French. "Normally, I will come tomorrow" – that's not correct
This is called a walkie-talkie in English and not a talkie-walkie as it's called in
French. Bizarre isn't it?
If you're too late for your train then you've missed the train. don't say "I failed the train
Don't confuse Brittany and Britain. Britain is the island in the North Atlantic where I come from
Brittany is a region in the north-west of France.
This is a picture of Jean-Paul's mother-in-law Anne-Marie. Lovely isn't she. And this is
a picture of Jean-Paul's Step-mother Clementine. In English you husband's or your wife's mother
is called your mother-in-law and if your father remarries his wife is called your step-mother
In French you the same word, belle-mère for both these relatives. So be careful don't
confuse your step-mother with your mother in law
Don't end your emails or letters with "friendly". Even President Hollande made this mistake
when he sent a note to Barack Obama congratulating him on his 2012 victory. If you want to translate
"amicalement" into English use “best wishes”. That works.
Don't confuse luck and chance. I you won the lottery you say "I was lucky". If you want
to talk about opportunity you can use chance. "I have the chance of working in Sweden next year"
if you say “by chance" it means unexpectedly, I met my uncle by chance on rue Voltaire.
If you want to by a ticket to travel on the plane or the train, you can have a one-way
or a return. “Can I have a return to Manchester please?” Don't call a return - "a go and
return" or "go and come back ticket" It makes no sense.
Look at this picture In British English they are called “trainers” in American English
they are called “sneakers”. They are never called “baskets”. This is a basket
don't try and wear them – they are not comfortable.
This person is a politician. So is this person and this one. don't say “a politics man”.
You rarely need to specify the sex of the politician. If you really do then put "male" or
"female" before. For example "There is only one female politician in the government”.
Look at this picture of a politician talking to a crowd. In English this is called a rally
or a political rally. Don't call it a “meeting”.
Remember you walk in the rain and not under the rain.
Don't confuse an association with a charity. A charity is an organization that helps those
in need. For example “I work for a homeless charity”. An association, is an organization
of people who share a common interest or purpose, for example The parents' association or
"the automobile association" for car drivers.
Don't confuse "fresh", "cold" and "wet". When you buy fish you should by fresh fish but
if you drink beer you drink it cold or chilled and paint that has just been painted is called
"wet paint"
And finally don't confuse classic and classical. Classic means something of the highest quality.
Classical means from Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome. Classical is also used for arts of a traditional
style such as classical music or classical ballet.
Ok that's it. So how many did you know? It's time to get a cold beer but I'm sure you agree
that this video is a classic, if you're in Paris come and learn English at our terrific
language school LetThemTalk. I do hope you have the chance to do that. See you next time.