English in the Supermarket

Today we'll learn a little French. Huh! The English Supermarket left in the language of Shakespeare's hand? Why?

The explanation is simple. Is that 2009 is the Year of France in Brazil. The governments of Paris and Brasilia have determined to promote each other. Last year, Brazil was honored in France. 2009 This is the time for Brazil to promote France in major Brazilian cities through cultural events in order to design the French culture in lands. This, however, is unnecessary. You will see that long ago the French culture is present in our science, art, philosophy, history, cuisine, fashion ... This event, however, is an excellent excuse to broaden our culture about the European country. For starters, how is your French? Let us make a quick test. What does mon bijou, petit ami, grand prix and bon gout? If you do not read our article. Learn the meanings of these expressions and many interesting things about the French culture in Brazil.

Mon Bijou means my treasure, my jewelry or my dream. Petit Ami mean little friend. Means Grand Prix Grand Prix. Already Bon Gouter mean good taste.

France is present in the daily life of Brazilians so natural and subtle that do not always realize their presence. This European country is in our History, Art, Culture, Fashion ... and in our supermarket, as you saw above. Let's see where that slightly influence began and some in which some Brazilians are in contact with French culture without notice.

History says that France played with Portugal stretches of our coast. Between 1555 and 1567, France installed the Antarctic France, a colony in Rio de Janeiro. With the arrival of the Portuguese arms, the French are driven out, but do not give to have a piece of land in Brazil. Later, between the years 1612 and 1615, the French found the Equinoctial France, the city of São Luiz, Maranhão. Portugal expelled the French a second time and resolve to strengthen their presence in Brazil in order to prevent further attempts of foreign invasion in its rich Cologne ... France, then let the guns down and solve a presence in Brazil using another weapon: his culture.

Later, after the consolidated Portuguese sovereignty over American territory, France is invited to shape the city's buildings at the request of D. John VI. The French Artistic Mission arrived in Brazil in 1816. In this mission, came the famous French architect Grandjean Montigny. Two buildings designed by him are still standing in Rio de Janeiro: 1 - The France-Brazil, built in 1820, once the customs and is now a cultural space. and 2 - The Solar Grandjean de Montigny, former residence of the architect, which today houses the Cultural Center of PUC-RJ. See below:

In Imperial and Republican Brazil, France is marking the ground. In the heartland of fashion, French words are present: knit and hollow, turtleneck, pouch and lingerie.

In medicine, the French words are present also: cellulitis and scalpel (for bistoiri).

In cooking, the French presence is still strong. Who does not know a scargot? Who does not know a dessert? For those who do not know, the French word means pavé paved. This dessert is so named because it is assembled in layers just like a cobblestone pavement. Who does not know a champagne (champagne)? Speaking this delicious, sophisticated and festive drink, you know what that means New Year's Eve? This word as French and so common in Brazil, is arousing!. It is the awakening to the new year is beginning.

Up to June festivals in the Northeast, the French brand presence. The word conspiracy comes from quadrille, dance the dances French in the nineteenth century. From there, the tradition took the Portuguese court and was brought to Brazil in 1808, the year of arrival of Dom João VI. The interesting thing is that the gang is no longer part of the French customs, as here, is the second most popular festival in Brazil after the Carnival. Some commands given in gangs Caruaru (PE) or of Campina Grande (PB) are of French origin: balancê (balancer - rocking to the beat); anavan (en avant - forward, walk swinging your arms) return ( returner - back to their seats) and tur (tour - a walk in the room).

As you noted, the French culture is very strong in Brazil. What we have seen so far is a small sample. According to Álvaro Faleiros, professor of French literature at USP, in a Portuguese dictionary with about 40 thousand words there are about 9500 from other languages. Of these, more than 5 billion came from the French. "There are more words in our vocabulary from France than from Tupi," he explains.

Well, Brazil is celebrating the French across the country. To find the schedule of events, visit the official website of the Ministry of Culture dealing with the Year of France in Brazil.

For today. I hope you enjoyed. If you have something to add, correct or suggest, please make a comment below. Au revoir.