FRENCH SURVIVAL KIT # 7

STRATEGY
INSTEAD OF
UNKNOWN WORDS

If you do not know a word, use others that already exist! Why complicate your
life? Take a word that is close, a similar word, a word that is an all-rounder, don't
be afraid of approximation.

Truc
That's an indispensable word. A « truc » (thing) is anything. It's any object.
« C’est quoi, ce truc ? » (What is that thing ?), « Donne-moi ce truc ? » (Give me
that thing ?), « Regarde ce truc ! » (Look at this thing!), « J’ai vu un truc
incroyable ! » (I saw something incredible!). But it’s maybe something happened
too: « Il m’est arrivé un truc fantastique ! » (A fantastic thing happened to me!)
There are other similar words that have the same function: « bidule », « machin »
and « chose ». But if you only have to remember one of these words, keep in mind
the word « truc », the most common word in the French language.

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 Hierarchy of words
If you do not know the word « cabillaud » (cod), use the word « poisson » (fish); if
you don't know the word « armoire » (wardrobe) use the word « meuble » (piece
of furniture)… It is sometimes more useful to learn hyperonyms (the words
above in the hierarchy of words or more simply the general words) than the words
hyponyms (the words below in the hierarchy of words or more simply the specific
words).

The approximation (1)

Do not be shy and use a word that means more or less the same thing, even if
it's not really the same thing. What could be the harm of using « chaise » (chair)
instead of « fauteuil » (armchair), or « stylo » (pen) instead of « crayon » (pencil) ?
In a survival situation, we do not seek language perfection, we seek the
effectiveness of communication. So use the approximation confidently if it is
necessary.

The approximation (2)

Another form of approximation is to use a word even more specific than the
word you don't know (so use a hyponym instead of hyperonym). You can't
remember the word « chien » (dog), but by chance you know a type of dog, like «
fox terrier » (same word in French and English), so use that word to say that a fox
terrier barked very loudly in front of a house, even if it was a herding dog.

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 The example
More 'honest' than approximation, the example allows you to transmit your
message and at the same time tells your interlocutor that you don't know the word;
your interlocutor will understand you and may provide you with the word you were
looking for or were not familiar with. A good way to learn while communicating.
In this case use the phrase « quelque chose comme … » (something like …). If
you say that you saw "something like a chicken" in a wood, there is a good chance
that your interlocutor will understand that you have seen a pheasant and will give
you the word « faisan » accurately.

A word of your own language

At worst, if you do not know a word, use a word in your own language. There
will be three scenarios: 1. your interlocutor understands the word of your language;
2. this word more or less resembles its translation into French; 3. your interlocutor
does not understand the word. In the first two cases, the message gets through. If
not, try other strategies or move on. And maybe that missing word doesn't
correspond to essential information!

Exercises

With friends, and in your native language...

1. Try to speak by using only the hyperonym for each name, even if the result is
absurd.
2. Try to speak using an approximation for each name, even if the result is absurd.
With French-speaking partners ...
3. Have fun with the word « truc ». Every time you say something, use the word «
truc » at least once.
4. Test French phrases into which you slip an English word to see if your
interlocutors understand you.

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