French Word Play
Monday December 1, 2008
Aidons tous les enfants
This phrase has two possible meanings, depending on how you pronounce the second word. If the s is silent, tous is an adjective, and the phrase means "Let's help all the children." But if the s is pronounced, tous is a pronoun and the phrase means "Let's all help the children." It's interesting how pronunciation makes the difference in French, while word order is key to the English meaning.
Source: Painting created for the Art Miles Mural Project by students at Lycée agricole in Hyères, France.
This phrase has two possible meanings, depending on how you pronounce the second word. If the s is silent, tous is an adjective, and the phrase means "Let's help all the children." But if the s is pronounced, tous is a pronoun and the phrase means "Let's all help the children." It's interesting how pronunciation makes the difference in French, while word order is key to the English meaning.
Source: Painting created for the Art Miles Mural Project by students at Lycée agricole in Hyères, France.
Comments
Thanks Laura, I’m going to use this to help me remember when to pronounce the s!
C’est très intéressant! Mais, c’est le ton que fait la musique, n’est pas?