GENERAL INTRODUCTION

BASIC SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ENGLISH AND FRENCH

LANGUAGES

1. The first thing to be mentioned is the fact that both English and French have the
same Latin origin. This explains why the two languages have the same 26
alphabet and mode of writing when compared with Arabic or Chinese
languages, for example.

2. Bye virtue of their common Latin origin, it is common to see some words
having the same spelling in the two languages even when they differ in
pronunciation. Such works include: president, constitution, situation,
formation, restaurant, social, etc.

The same Latin origin explains why it is easy for a person with a good
knowledge of English language to understand the meaning of some French
works even when such works are not spelt exactly like their English
equivalent. For example, French words such as directeur, professeur, serétaire,
administrateur, parti politique are easily understood without being translated.
3. Also, like the English language where we have American English, British
English, Pidgin English, etc., French language also has its varieties such as
France French, Canadian French, African French, Pidgin French, etc. I will
teach the French as spoken in France.

4. Because of the closeness of both languages as well as interaction among

language users, the two languages have over the years engaged in what is
called “borrowing’’ of lexis and expressions from one another.

In English for instance, the following French words are usually used : vis-à-
vis, tête-à-tête, coup d’état, fait accompli, laissez-faire, rendez-vous, souvenir,
aide-de-camp, crème de la crème, RSVP (Répondez s’il vous plaît), etc.

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

 In the same vein, many English words have been incorporated into French
language. Such words include: weekend, parking, scanner, fast food, football,
basketball, cocktail, tee-shirt, email, etc.

MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENGLISH AND FRENCH

LANGUAGES

1. A fundamental difference between the two languages is that of word genders.

While English has only one gender, French has two (the masculine and
feminine genders).
For instance, in English, we say: a boy / the boy, a girl / the girl, a bag / the bag,
a table / the table, etc. But in French, there is need to identify and differentiate
masculine words from feminine words.
In French we will say un garçon / le garcon ; une fille / la fille; un sac / le sac ;
une table / la table. While garçon (boy) and sac (bag) are masculine words, fille
(girl) and table (table) are feminine words.
As a matter of fact, this gender difference constitutes a major source of
difficulties for French language learners. The difficulty is aggravated by the fact
that there are no clear cut rules that can enable one to identify masculine nouns
from feminine ones. Consequently, learners are often advised to try as much as
possible to master or memorize French words and their genders. In the course
of my lectures I will always emphasize this issue of gender in French.

2. Another important aspect that differentiates French from English is the use of
‘’Tu’’ and “Vous’’ in French. “Tu’’ refers to “You” second person singular

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

 in English, while “Vous “ is used either to refers to “You” second person plural
or to express a form of respect.
For instance, the statement “Tu es étudiant?” meaning “Are you a student?” will
be addressed to a colleague or to a person who is junior in age to the person
asking the question. While, “Vous êtes étudiant?” will be addressed to a
stranger person, a person one is not familiar with or somebody who is older in
age than the person asking the question. Another example of the difference in
the use of “you” in French can be seen in the questions: “Comment t’appelles-
tu?” And “Comment vous appellez-vous?”.

3. In French language classes, learners’ attention is also drawn to what is

commonly referred to as “Faux amis”, that the problem of “wrong matching”
of English and French words as a result of their seeming similarities in
spelling.
Examples: chat (to chat / cat in French); to abuse (to insult / to take advantage
of someone in French), agenda (agenda of a meeting / diary in French), to assist
(to help; to give a helping hand / to attend something, to attend an event in
French); to command (to give an order / to order for service or a product in
French); to rest (to stay in French), etc.

4. Another problem often encountered by English or Anglophone learners of

French is the problem associated with the spelling of French words with
identical meaning in English but with slight difference in spelling.
Examples: address / adresse, annual / annuel; bank / banque; envelop /
envelope

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

5. In the area of sentence structures, French is different from English from the
perspective of the need for an Agreement or “Accord’’ between the various
elements in the sentence.
Examples: A little boy = un petit garçon noir / a little girl = une petite fille
noire

6. Another difference related to sentence structures is seen in the order of words

with qualifying adjectives. Examples: Political party = parti politique ; Federal
Government = gouvernement federal .

7. In the area of pronunciation, a common feature of French language is what is

often referred to as linkage or “liaison’ of the last consonant of a word with
the vowel of the next word.
Examples: mon ami (my friend); mon école; mes amis, etc.

In the coming weeks, I will refer to these differences a lot in the course of my
explanations.

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

 GREETINGS IN FRENCH

1. Bonjour! – Hello! (Also, Good Morning!)

2. Bonsoir – Good evening
3. Salut! – Hi!
4. Ça fait longtemps, dis donc – Long time, no see
5. Allô? – Hello?
6. Quoi de neuf? – What’s up ?
7. Ça va? – How are you?
8. Tu vas bien? – How are you doing?
9. Comment vas-tu ? / Comment-allez-vous ? How are you doing ?
10. Je vais bien – I am doing fine
11. Nous allons bien – We are doing fine
12. Enchanté – It is a pleasure / Nice to meet you

PARTING EXPRESSIONS
13. Au revoir! – Goodbye!
14. À tout à l’heure! – See you later !
15. A plus tard! - See you later!
16. A bientôt! - See you soon!
17. À plus tard! (À plus!) – (See you) later!
18. À demain! – See you tomorrow!
19. À lundi! - See you on Monday!
20. À la prochaine ! - Till next time !
21. À la semaine prochaine!- See you next week!
22. Je suis désolé(e), mais je dois aller – I’m sorry, but I have to go

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

 A PRACTICAL DIALOGUE

Alice: Bonjour, je m'appelle Alice Good morning; my name is Alice

Paul: Bonjour Alice, je m'appelle Paul. Hello Alice, my name is Paul.
Alice: Paul, comment allez-vous? How are you, Paul?
Paul: Très bien, merci. Very well, thank you.
Enchantée de faire votre connaissance.
Alice It’s nice meeting you.

Paul Enchanté Nice meeting you

Alice:: A bientôt. Au revoir, Paul. See you soon. Goodbye, Paul.
Paul: Au revoir, Alice. Goodbye, Alice.

OTHER FORMS OF GREETINGS

Comment va la famille ? / Et la famille ? - How is the family ?

Comment va le travail ? / Et le travail ? - How is work ?

Bon weekend - Have a nice weekend

Bon appétit - Enjoy your meal

Bon voyage - Safe trip / safe journey

Bon séjour - Have a nice stay

Bon rétablissement - (I wish you) speedy recovery

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

Bonne année - Happy New Year

Bonne journée - Have a nice day

Bonne nuit - Good night

Bonne soirée - Have a pleasant evening

Bonne chance - Good luck

Bonne fête - Happy celebration

Bonnes vacances - Have a nice vacation

Bienvenu / Soyez la bienvenue / Sois le bienvenu - Welcome

Félicitations - Congratulations

Du courage! - Keep it up / cheer up

Amuse-toi bien - Enjoy yourself

Amusez-vous bien - Enjoy yourself

À vous de même - Same to you / i wish you the same

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

 SE PRESENTER
(INTRODUCING ONE’S SELF / SELF INTRODUCTION)

Je me présente Let me introduce myself

Saying your name

Je m'appelle Maryam My name is Maryam
Je suis Mariam
Mon nom est Maryam

Saying your nationality

Je viens du Nigeria I am from Nigeria

Je suis nigérian (M) I am a Nigerian

Je suis nigériane (F)

Saying your State of origin

Je viens de l’Etat de Kano I am from Kano State
Je suis de l’Etat de Kano
Je suis originaire de Kano

Saying where you live (reside)

J’habite à Abuja I live in Abuja

Saying your profession

Je suis étudiant (M) I am a student (M)
Je suis étudiante (F) I am a student (F)
Je suis professeur I am a teacher

J’étudie à l’université d’Abuja I am studyng at the University of

Abuja

Je suis étudiant à l’université d’Abuja (M) I am a student at the University of

Abuja
Je suis étudiante à l’université d’Abuja (F)
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J'apprends le français I am learning French
J’étudie le français I am studying French

Saying where you work

Je travaille à Abuja I work in Abuja

Saying your marital status

Je suis célibataire I am single/ a bachelor
Je suis marié I am married
Je suis mariée

Saying your hobbies

Un de mes loisirs est le voyage One of my hobbies is travelling

J'aime écouter de la musique. I enjoy listening to music.

J’aime regarder la télévision I love watching television

J’aime chanter I love singing

J’aime le football I love football

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani

 GETTING TO KNOW SOMEONE

Here are some questions you can ask when you meet someone and wish to know
more about him or her.

NB. In the examples below, take note of the use of ‘tu” that expresses familiarity
and ‘’vous’’ that indicate respect to the person you are talking with.

Comment t’appelles-tu? What is your name?

Comment vous-appellez-vous? What is your name?
Qui es-tu? / Qui êtes-vous ? Who are you ?
Où habites-tu ?/ Où habitez-vous ? Where do you live ?
Tu es de quelle nationalité ? What is your nationality ?
Vous êtes de quelle nationalité ? What is your nationality ?
Tu es de quel pays ? Which country are you from?
Vous êtes de quel pays ? What is your nationality ?
Tu es de quel Etat ? / Tu viens de quel Etat ? What is your State of origin?
Vous êtes de quel Etat ? / Vous venez de quel Etat ? What is your State of origin?
Quelle est ta profession? / Quelle est votre profession ? What is your profession ?
Que fais-tu dans la vie ? / Que faites-vous dans la vie ? What do you do for a
living?
Quel est ton état civil ? What is your marital status?
Quel est votre état civil ?
Tu es marié ? / Vous êtes marié ? Are you married ?
Quels sont tes loisirs ? What are your hobbies ?
Quels sont vos loisirs ?

Compiled by Prof. M. A. Tijani