FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Thank You Kristi for helping me to put into context what I have been feeling for the last few days, feeling so helpless, your post seemed to round up all of my wild thoughts and press them into a more complete expression - one I had been searching for to go along with my deepest prayers.

I am so proud of you Honey - I know I tell you this all of the time, but I am always most proud when you share your true inner thoughts.

I LOVE YOU

MOM

Pardon l'erreur: c'est "d'aider".

We are all praying for the people of Japan and I really do believe that praying and actually visualizing the country and the people as you pray will lift them up and God will help them.

Lovely and sustaining, Kristin, to all who watch in empathy, too far to assist the noble people of Japan.

Small thought - watching their dignity and fortitude, I think they may not want to be called 'victims'.

My Provencal neighbors had a phrase which sounded to me like o, liqueurs! - but was, in fact, HAUT LES COEURS! - [High the hearts] - please correct as needed and share with your readers.

Maybe have your children read these encouraging words. I love it that this word, in France, implies to infuse with courage.

Thank you for linking those of us who love France with a country I am taught to love (having lived through Pearl Harbor) as I never thought I would, watching their fortitude in the face of the impossible.

Salut Kristin,

Your emotional subject today is so appropriate! The devastation from the multiple disasters is hard for use to realize. I received the link to these before/after pictures via an email this morning. They show the grim destruction very well.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

Your photo of the flower garden is fitting since the Japanese so loved their beautiful gardens.

À bientôt

... Every day, we Americans can find something to whine about in our country. As we look at the pictures coming from Japan, we should be eternally grateful for all of our blessings, however small we may find them in our daily life. Many thousnads of these people now have absolutely nothing at all and must start over from scratch... think about how hard that would be if you were 60 years old or more! tres triste.... and thank you for your always excellent thoughts . Judi dunn

The earthquake... a grim reminder of the fragility of our time here on earth. Today is what we have...hug your sweetheart, kiss your child, call your friend. Say the things you feel... I love you, I appreciate you. Find a small way to make a positive difference. Everything matters. Thank you Kristan for bringing us together.

My thoughts and the thoughts of my family go out to the Japanese people. There is hope at th end of the tunnel.

Voltaire a utilise "tremblement de terre" en Candide pour decrire le desastre naturel a Lisbonne. On peut sentir l'experience avec tremblement de terre; seisme ne donne pas le meme effet.

Quelle est la difference entre "tremblement de terre" et "seisme"?

Here , in New Zealand ,we are just getting over the loss of some of our people and the beautiful city of Christchurch---and now this HUGE catastrophy in Japan !!UNBELIEVABLE damage and carnage there !!
The thoughs and good wishes from the whole world are with them now......

How true these feelings of being so helpless to do any thing practical. As Marianne says, to donate is something to do, when one thinks (or tries to imagine the scale of the clearing up), of the starting again from nothing, of the loss of dear ones.
How little we have to complain about ! My thoughts are with Japan in her hour of need

Seisme is topical, however, the word used in Haiti, where French is spoken by all people who have had an opportunity to go to school and by all the Kreyol speakers is “tramblaman” (probably Kreyol spelling) I like the onomatopoeia. Goudou goudou is also used. It was coined after the EQ – it was pretty much what everyone heard during the 35 seconds of the EQ. I enjoy your Word-a-Day. Jenifer Grant

AU Japon: why "au" and not "en"?
simply because Japan, in French, is a masculine country

Useful to know ->
The French PREPOSITIONS in front of MASC COUNTRIES are:
---> à (= to, in)
- becomes "au" -> [à + le ...],
- becomes "aux" -> [à + les ...] if masc countries are plural
-> Je vais au Japon / au Portugal / au Mexique / aux Etats-Unis.

---> de (= from)
- becomes "du" -> [de + le ...]
- becomes "des" -> [de + les ...] (f masc countries are plural
-> Je reviens du Japon / des Etats-Unis / du Portugal / du Mexique.

EXCEPTION for the masculine countries starting with a VOWEL.
In that case, use "en" for 'to, in' and use de l' / also d' for 'from'
-> Je vais en Israël.
-> Je reviens d'Israël.

NB ->
- "les Etats-Unis" are Masc, because the word "Etat" (State) is masc
- For plural countries, whether Masc or Fem:
it's always "aux" for 'to' and 'in'
and always "des" for 'from'

- if a country is feminine sing (la France, la Chine)
use "en" for 'to' and 'in' - use "de" for 'from'
- if a feminine country starts with a vowel (l'Italie, L'Espagne),
use "en" for 'to' and 'in' and use 'de l' (also d') for 'from'

Oui, étant tous des enfants de cette planète, je pense, comme vous, Kristin, que l’on doit se sentir solidaire lorsqu’une tragédie survient quelque part sur terre. Et le Japon est une catastrophe d’une énorme ampleur. Elle nous laisse tous sans voix. Moi aussi, j’aimerais m’associer à la douleur de ce peuple remarquable qui souffre. Il nous donne, par ailleurs, l’example d’un grand courage.

Michèle Shuey

Two thoughts of note:

First, I heard a Japanese man interviewed today. He was told by his interviewer that people would like to help. What can they do? The Japanese man replied that the best thing has been the show of support through words, emails, etc. because, he said, it makes him feel that the world is one big family - not just separate nations. This gives him hope.

Second, it amazes me that there has been no looting, etc.. that we would see and have seen in the USA when a city is ravaged by natural disasters. These are such humble & grateful people. THIS gives ME hope.

Herm, thanks for the link that showed us the before and after pictures of Japan. It can hardly be believed! They really show the devastation, more effectively than still pictures or the occasional news clip.

Does anyone know of a way to send general notes to the Japanese, along the lines mentioned in Karen W's post? I suppose one could send a note to the Japanese embassy.

Thank you for putting into words our empathy for Japan and it's people. My experiences there are so sensitive and beautiful, the people so kind and generous, that this tragedy seems unspeakable....simply pain.
The acknowledgement of their courage and strength in an almost unendurable time, is the grace to be found amidst this awfulness.
Mayor Nancy Flemming

Esperer