ENGLISH WORDS IN FRENCH
As I told in this article “Speak a bad English you will speak a better French”, imitate French people speaking English is a good idea to understand the French pronunciation pattern. English is the international language and it’s a good indicator to compare pronunciation of different nationalities. Check here to realize how even among French the pronunciation of English words is different.
English words are everywhere and French people use more and more English words in everyday speech. Not only we are lazy to find an equivalent (could take centuries), but we like using English because we think it’s “fun” and “cool”. Of course, it’s influenced by the companies brands, that use English to have an image of something new or something related to technology. It’s pretty normal since maybe in other countries French words are used to brand food, luxury, art…
I also realize that I use English words when I text with my friends when the English words are shorter to type.
Are there equivalents?
Some English words used in French have no more equivalent in French, they are completely replaced by the English version. Some other still exists but have a slightly different meaning (entraineur/coach). Looking at Franceterme as long as l’Académie Française you will find equivalents of those English words (e.g. email) in correct French (e.g. courriel) that no French people use.
It’s impossible to know exactly how many English words are used by French (most are from new technologies, work and entertainement) but here is a list of the most commons:
- Cool
- Week-end
- Top (génial)
- Parking
- Brushing
- Camping
- Shopping
- Non-stop
- Match
- Jogging
- Best-seller
- Box-office
- Gloss
- Low-cost
- Shooting
- Footing
- Brainstorming
- Feedback
- Booster
- Deadline
- Timing
- Planning
- Briefing/débriefing
- Fun
- Pull (-over)
- After-shave
- Dressing
- Pressing
- News
- Standing ovation
- Zapping/zapper
- Hotline