English in Supermarket Increase your vocabulary through packaging.

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

The explanation is simple. Is that 2009 is the Year of France in Brazil. The governments in Paris and Brasilia have determined to promote each other. The previous 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 brazilian 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's do a quick test. What does mon bijou, petit ami, bon gouter and grand prix? If you do not know, 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 Brazilian so natural and subtle that its presence is not always realized. This European country is in our History, Art, Culture, Fashion ... and in our supermarket, as you saw above. Let's just see where that influence has begun and some areas in which some Brazilians are in contact with French culture without notice.

History says that France played with Portugal stretches of our coastline. Between the years 1555 and 1567, France installed the Antarctic France, a colony in Rio de Janeiro. With the arrival of Portuguese arms, the French were expelled, but did not give up having a piece of land in Brazil. Later, between the years 1612 and 1615, the French founded the Equinoctial France, in Sao Luis, Maranhao. 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 weapons aside and decides to have 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 House, built in 1820, once the customs and is now a cultural center. and 2 - The Solar Grandjean de Montigny, former residence of the architect, which now houses the Cultural Center of PUC-RJ. See below:

In the Imperial and Republican Brazil, France continued scoring ground. In the heartland of fashion, French words are present: knit and hollow, turtleneck, fanny pack and lingerie.

In medicine, the French words are present too: 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 in this delicious, sophisticated and festive drink, you know what that means New Year's Eve? That word is so French and so common in Brazil, it means wake up. It is awakening to the new year is beginning.

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

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 40 000 words for nearly 9500 from other languages. Of these, over 5000 came from the French. "There are more words in our vocabulary from France than from Tupi," he explains.

Well, Brazil is celebrating France throughout its territory. To find the schedule of events, visit the official website of the Ministry of Culture dealing with the Year of France in Brazil .

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