5.16: Social Media Frenches - les mots hard-to-translate mais fun to try !
- Page ID
- 259820
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)When learning to use another language, people often find themselves in the situation of translating words from one language to the other. In some cases, when cultural constructs are shared, the translations across languages are direct and uncomplicated, e.g. table = la table = la mesa = 테이블. However, in many cases, local cultural, geographic and/or social nuances make it difficult to translate a concept because they are locally specialized. For instance, what constitutes “barbecue” in the Northeastern part of the United States (usually marinated chicken cooked over coals) is quite different from “barbecue” in Texas (usually wood-smoked brisket) and from “barbecue” in the Carolinas (usually pulled pork cooked any way). The word “barbecue” exists in French, too, however, it refers to the device for cooking food outside or the act of doing so. A learner might come across this word when learning French and assume that the similarity in translation also indicates a similarity in meaning, which, as we’ve seen, is not always the case.
In this activity, you will use Instagram to search for some hard-to-translate food words across French and English.
1. On se prépare
** Potential ADAPT/H5P problem
Step 1. Below is a small set of culturally nuanced words pertaining to food. Use an online dictionary to look up their translations in English and another language that you know. Write the translations in the chart below.
|
English word |
French translation |
_________ (3rd language) |
|
une crêpe |
||
|
une tarte |
||
|
un goûter |
Step 2. Now examine the translations of the French word in English and the other language. At first glance, do the proposed translations seem plausible to you? Why or why not?
Step 3. In English, write a detailed explanation of the cultural meanings of each of the words in your community / city / state / country (as relevant). Think about the “barbecue” example. Does the word only apply to certain types, configurations or preparations of food? Is it associated with any special groups of people or events? If you have the same kind of cultural knowledge about the other language, do the same for its translations.
Step 4. Now consider the French words for each of the items. Think back to places you may have seen, heard or experienced the word in French, and write a detailed explanation of each one’s cultural meanings in a certain part of the French-speaking world (your choice).
2. On fait des recherches
** Potential ADAPT/H5P problem
Step 1. Visit Instagram Search. (If you’re not already signed in or you don’t have an account, you will receive the message “Page Not Found: Sorry this page isn’t available.” It should still let you search for items in the empty field in the top middle of the screen. If not, you may need to create an account and sign in). In the search field, begin by searching for your English translation of crêpe, as a hashtag, i.e. #yourtranslation.
Step 2. Scroll and examine the pictures you find tagged with this word. Make notes on recurring themes and commonalities.
Step 3. Now do the same for the other two English translations, making notes on recurring themes and commonalities after each search.
Step 4. Compare your notes from the Instagram searches in English with your detailed notes on the English words from Step 3. What is different across the two? What is the same? Compare and contrast in a few lines.
Step 5. Now conduct a separate search for each of the words in French. If you targeted a specific region of the French-speaking world, add that hashtag in French to your search, e.g. #crêpe #Côted’Ivoire or #crêpe #Belgique. Make notes on recurring themes and commonalities after each search.
Step 6. Compare your notes from the Instagram searches in French with your detailed notes on the French words from Step 4. What is different across the two? What is the same? Compare and contrast in a few lines.
3. On résume
** Potential ADAPT/H5P problem
Step 1. Given the details you have gleaned from the Instagram searches, propose a new definition/explanation in English for each of the French foods words. Which details have been revised? Which details are new?
Step 2. Can you think of any other hard-to-translate food words across French, English and/or another language that you know?
Step 3. Convert them into hashtags in the relevant language and briefly describe what Instagram suggests for you!