Tag Archives: French
Languages: Turning Enemies into Allies
“S and I got engaged!” I announced to my family, just before my second year at university, showing off my emerald and diamond ring. My grandmother did not miss a bit. “Congratulations, my sunbeam! Does he speak any languages?” “No.” … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged english, French, italian, katherine gregor, languages, linguist, polyglot, russian, scribe doll
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Words and Civilisation: My Friend ‘Cox’
I have just acquired a new friend or, perhaps I should say, a new incarnation of an old friend. My old one has retired to a well-earned rest, after ten years of inexhaustible patience and loyalty, his jacket a little … Continue reading
Posted in Words and Civilisation
Tagged books, culture, dictionary, english, French, inspiration, katherine gregor, larousse, life, musings, opinion, oxford english dictionary, scribedoll
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Words and Civilisation: A Smidgeon of Français
Say sidewalk, elevator or garbage, and the English will wince in disgust and mutter the almost unspeakable. “That’s American,” they will remark before casting you out of Society for polluting the purity of Shakespeare’s tongue. Using French, however, suggests to … Continue reading
Posted in Words and Civilisation
Tagged english, foreign languages, francais, French, katherine gregor, language, londoner's musings, pronunciation, scribedoll
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Odds & Ends: Human Decency Is Not Dead
The past week has brought to light a ugly side to the nation, that makes me feel deeply uneasy. I can only hope that History will not spin the truth into a falsely glorified image of an ideologically motivated revolt … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged decency, entitlement, freeloader, French, honesty, katherine gregor, mobile, phone, reward, scribe doll, scribedoll
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Scribe Doll 