History about the French negative form ne+pas, point, goutte,,,

Have you ever wondered why French people use two words for the negative form? For instance, they say: "Je ne mange pas", Je ne veux pas", elle n'est pas contente",...

In the middle-age, only "ne" was used to express a negative sentence. Gradually, other words like "pas" / "point" were added and those words expressed a small quantity, a small thing, a small area,...

Examples: je ne marche pas (I am not doing a step) , je ne vois point (I can't even see a dot), je ne bois goutte (I don't drink a drop), je ne mange mie (I don't eat a crumb).

 Those little words lost their meaning and became a negative word associated to "ne".

It is the reason why we say today: Je ne veux pas partir, je ne veux point aller en ville, je ne vois goutte, ...

TRANSLATION OF SAYINGS AND PROVERBS

Each language reflects a different way of thinking and a different perception of the world. The sayings and proverbs are a good example of how differently people can think. Here are some examples of sayings in English and in French:

- Chat échaudé craint l'eau froide. / Once bitten, twice shy.
- On n'apprend pas à un vieux singe à faire des grimaces. / Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
- C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron. / Practice makes perfect.
- Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué. / Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
- La curiosité est un vilain défaut. / Curiosity killed the cat.

A literal translation will usually be a big mistake to avoid. Learn to think in the target language!

London International wine Fair - 22nd May 2012

I went to the London International Wine Fair at ExCel with one of my customers from France to be his interpreter and translator for the day. Beforehand, I had to contact potential customers or suppliers to make arrangements to meet at the Wine Fair.

Please visit these websites for more information about it:

http://www.londonwinefair.com/content

www.eurosud.co.uk

My new personal website - www.isabellewebb.co.uk

Today I launched my new personal website to present my services as a freelance French translator, French proofreader and the one-to-one or online French lessons that I provide.

The website is www.isabellewebb.co.uk.

For more information about my English to French translation services, French proofreading services or French lessons, please contact me.

Do you want or need to learn French? Try online French lessons

Online tutoring is a great way for you to learn French, in the most convenient place and at the most convenient time for you!

Each Online French Tutoring lesson is conducted over the internet via Skype using a webcam (preferred - to allow you to interact with more ease) or just an audio connection. 

For this you will need to have a Skype account (which is FREE), a computer with the Skype software loaded, a webcam (optional), and a microphone (most laptops have them built in!).

I am in the United Kingdom in a town called Hartlepool but you can be anywhere in the world with online French lessons. If you live in or near Hartlepool I also provide one-to-one lessons.

For the prices of the lessons, please visit my online French lessons page.

Language Show Live 2011

Today, Saturday 22nd October 2011, I joined hundreds of like minded linguists at the Language Show Live 2011 at Olympia National Hall in London.

Language Show Live 2011

The doors opened 10am with a host of seminars, exhibitors and taster sessions thoughout the day. The purpose of the day for me was to learn more about improving my skills both as a French translator and French tutor.

I started by listening to a seminar by Michael Cunningham from the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) which was very helpful and motivating to develop and improve my translation skills, particularly in to some specialist areas.

There was a large variety of resources for teaching French including new French textbooks and audio materials. I was able to order several new French textbooks for use with new and current students. 

Overall the day was very useful and motivating.


DATE FOR THE DIARY: The organisers are planning another show in one years time, 19-21 October 2012 at Olympia again.  Fri 19 Oct - 10am - 6pm

Sat 20 Oct - 10am - 6pm

Sun 21 Oct - 10am - 5pm 

For more information please visit the organisers website at : http://www.thelanguageshow.co.uk

A new academic year... Many new students learning French!

As we begin another academic year, many are deciding how to improve their skills and education. A great way is to learn a new language such as French!

Over the last few weeks I have had many enquiries about French lessons from people in Kettering, Northamptonshire and towns in the local area of Kettering, such as Corby, Finedon, Wellingborough and other villages. If you would like to learn French or improve the French you already know, then please get in touch with me via my website at www.frenchtranslate.co.uk.

Also, available are online French lessons using Skype of MSN Messenger. This service uses a web cam as well as audio to provide a completely interactive and one to one French lesson. Please visit the Online French Lesson page on my web site.