anticonstitutionnellement
Friday, February 15, 2008
The blackboard reads: send flowers to those you love. You can do that here.
The following story appeared on May 17th, 2006 -- le jour "J" or "day of" my son's 11 year anniversary...
anticonstitutionnellement (listen to this word) adverb
1. unconstitutionally
(better known as one of the longest words in the French language)
La corruption, le plus infaillible symptôme de la liberté constitutionnelle.
Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty. --Edward Gibbon
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Twelve years ago, to the day, I stepped into this French life pour de bon.* Exactly one year later, a little life fell (from the heavens) into mine. Before today's birthday celebration begins, I've stolen a few moments for an interview with that little life, grown big.
KE: Max, how old are you today?
Max: Onze ans!*
KE: Who is your best friend?
Max: Tous mes copains sont mes meilleurs copains.*
KE: What is your favorite city?
Max: Phoenix.
KE: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Max: I want to be a player of basketball.
KE: That's "basketball player..."
Max: Mmmhmmm.
KE: What is your favorite subject in school?
Max: Art plastique et sport.*
KE: ... and your favorite word in French?
Max (with a sly grin): Anticonstitutionnellement.
KE: OK. That's one of the longest words in French, but maybe not your favorite! Tell me, then, what is the French Word of the Day?
Max: ANNIVERSAIRE!*
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References: pour de bon = for good; onze ans = eleven years old; Tous mes copains sont mes meilleurs copains = All my friends are my best friends; art plastique (m) et sport (m) = visual art and gym; anniversaire (m) = birthday, anniversary
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Shopping:
"501 French Verbs" includes common idioms & example sentences demonstrating verb usage.
Murder in the Marais by Cara Black
Ultimate French Beginner - Intermediate (CD/Book)
Visions of France DVD: See the breathtaking beauty of southeastern France
Le Petit Nicolas never runs out of adventures on (and off) the playground (and children, as well as adults, never tire of his mischief). Check out the French and English editions available here.
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