A safe ride
In August, I went on a school trip to the South of France. We visited a waterpark for the day and were told we needed to ask for un ±è°ùé²õ±ð°ù±¹²¹³Ù¾±´Ú to keep our paper ticket safe while we went on the rides. So, without knowing that a ±è°ùé²õ±ð°ù±¹²¹³Ù¾±´Ú isn't a watertight container and is actually a condom, I stupidly went up and asked the waterpark assistant and in return got a very funny look. Looking back, I am very embarrassed, but despite this blunder, I haven't been put off taking A-S Level French and am still very passionate about the language!
Sent by: Laura
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The best way to learn a language is taking risks, making mistakes promotes meaningful learning experiences.
... or une capote anglaise, a 'French' letter. Maybe many years ago we English were considered Europe's lovers by the French ...
It's a very easy mistake to make. A more relaxed way to say 'condom' is un chapeau which means 'a hat'!
A friend of mine had terrible French and a habit of saying English words with a French accent when she was short of vocabulary. When the family she was staying with sent her to the grocer's for some 'preservative free yoghurt' she had the grocer wondering why there would be any condoms in their yoghurt!
Actually it's English speakers that swap 'to conserve' and 'to preserve'. Indeed ±è°ùé²õ±ð°ù±¹±ð°ù means 'to protect' hence the meaning for condom and conserver means 'to keep the same' (ie against decay) - hence the confusion.
I have also made the mistake. In an earnest discussion on ecology many years ago, I've stated indignantly that the jam was full of ±è°ùé²õ±ð°ù±¹²¹³Ù¾±´Ús. Of course I wanted to say jam was stuffed full of preservatives, not condoms! English and French seem to have swapped preserve and conserve around in many contexts, just to trip us up.
There is always a difference between the French you are taught in school and how 'real' French people use it. Of course, it's the same for every language, eg. a friend of mine who was learning English once described the way rain looked in the sun using the words 'shower' and 'golden'. It's great to read this and learn from others' mistakes. I love people with a sense of humour.
Amusingly enough the familiar French term for condom is une capote anglaise Lit. English hood/top.
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