Learn French: Pronunciation & Translations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around learning French, specifically focusing on pronunciation and translation resources. Participants share online tools for hearing pronunciations and translating words, while also engaging in light-hearted banter about language learning and cultural references.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks online resources for hearing French pronunciations and translations, similar to thefreedictionary site.
  • Several participants provide links to pronunciation and translation websites, with mixed feedback on their usefulness.
  • Humor is introduced with suggestions about finding a French boyfriend as a means to learn the language.
  • There is a discussion about the etymology of the word "Buffalo," with conflicting claims about its origins and whether it relates to the French language.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the claim that "Buffalo" means "beautiful river" in French, citing dictionary definitions that suggest different origins.
  • One participant mentions that the city of Buffalo was named after Buffalo Creek, but the exact origin of the name remains unclear.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the British may have intentionally undermined the French language during historical conflicts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the etymology of "Buffalo," with multiple competing views presented regarding its origins and connections to the French language. The discussion remains unresolved on this point.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of definitive sources for the etymology of "Buffalo" and varying interpretations of the usefulness of the suggested online resources for learning French.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in learning French, language enthusiasts, and those curious about the etymology of place names may find this discussion relevant.

Lisa!
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So I've finally started going to a French class! I think that'd be the best time for doing that since I need to keep myself very busy to be able to put up with the new situation and eventually get it over.
Now I was wondering if you'd know of any online source where I'd be able to hear the pronuncietion of the words and have the translation of the words into English. I mean something like thefreedictionary site. You know I googled for it but haven't got any useful website.:blushing:
 
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How about getting a french boyfriend ? :-p
 
I think humanino was offering Lisa! :-p
 
Lisa! said:
pronuncietion
In my opinion you've got French down pretty good already.
 
What the hell? How that happened? I swear I know the right spelling of that word.:bugeye:


Kurdt said:
I think humanino was offering Lisa! :-p

He's taken as far as I know!:biggrin:
 
We like this translation site in our family:

http://translation2.paralink.com/

You can get to animations of people speaking. Our boys (9&15) especially like it when we get the person to say something about excusing himself/herself for farting. Hey... anything to get them interested in furthering their education. :wink:
 
Lisa! said:
whut da Hell? Hou tat hapent? I swer I noh de rite spalin off tat wurd.:bugeye:

I think you should work on English first.
 
  • #10
Lisa! said:
Now I was wondering if you'd know of any online source where I'd be able to hear the pronuncietion of the words and have the translation of the words into English. I mean something like thefreedictionary site. You know I googled for it but haven't got any useful website.:blushing:

You don't need any of that stuff if you're learning American French.

Just remember, Buffalo is French for beautiful river (in fact, that's how the city got its name). I know, because some of my ancestors were French - their last name is Buzard.

When it comes to French, all Americans are Texans.
 
  • #11
Lisa! said:
He's taken as far as I know!:biggrin:
Ah, I forgot you knew :cry:
BobG said:
Just remember, Buffalo is French for beautiful river
Is that true !? My dictionary says Buffalo comes from Portuguese, which comes from Latin (or maybe Greek) etymology. "Beautiful river" gives "belle riviere" in french. It's not impossible, "water" giving "eau" (pronounce "oh !"), but it's a long shot. Are you sure ?
 
  • #12
humanino said:
How about getting a french boyfriend ? :-p
Humanino, The Evo Child switched to French and she's taken Spanish for so many years that she is confusing the two. I wish you were nearby to help her. You are so good at teaching, so patient. She has a boyfriend, so your girlfriend shouldn't mind.
 
  • #13
Evo said:
Humanino, The Evo Child switched to French and she's taken Spanish for so many years that she is confusing the two. I wish you were nearby to help her. You are so good at teaching, so patient. She has a boyfriend, so your girlfriend shouldn't mind.
Is this an invitation !? :biggrin:
I might become jobless sometimes soon. I can also work on the garden :rolleyes:
 
  • #14
humanino said:
Is this an invitation !? :biggrin:
I might become jobless sometimes soon. I can also work on the garden :rolleyes:
Definitely an invitation! And now I know you can cook! :-p
 
  • #15
BobG said:
When it comes to French, all Americans are Texans.
When it comes to Texas, all other Americans might as well be French. :smile: :biggrin:

buffalo
1588, from Port. bufalo "water buffalo," from L. bufalus, var. of bubalus "wild ox," from Gk. boubalos "buffalo," originally a kind of African antelope, later used of a type of domesticated ox in southern Asia and the Mediterranean lands, from bous "ox, cow." Wrongly applied since c.1635 to the American bison.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=buffalo

Buffalo sounds a little like "Boeuf à l'eau". :rolleyes:
 
  • #16
humanino said:
Ah, I forgot you knew :cry:
Is that true !? My dictionary says Buffalo comes from Portuguese, which comes from Latin (or maybe Greek) etymology. "Beautiful river" gives "belle riviere" in french. It's not impossible, "water" giving "eau" (pronounce "oh !"), but it's a long shot. Are you sure ?

Beau fleuve

I don't know why you guys are looking up the origin of buffalo, as in bison. The city Buffalo has nothing to do with the animal.
 
  • #17
BobG said:
Beau fleuve

I don't know why you guys are looking up the origin of buffalo, as in bison. The city Buffalo has nothing to do with the animal.
Thanks BobG :approve:
 
  • #18
  • #19
BobG said:
You don't need any of that stuff if you're learning American French.

Just remember, Buffalo is French for beautiful river (in fact, that's how the city got its name). I know, because some of my ancestors were French - their last name is Buzard.

When it comes to French, all Americans are Texans.

I wish you had told me that sooner!:biggrin:

[
 
  • #20
humanino said:
Ah, I forgot you knew :cry:
?
Women have a list of single men!o:)
 
  • #21
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #22
The origin of the name Buffalo appears to be a mystery. The city got its name from Buffalo Creek, but the origin of Buffalo is not clear, although it was apparently in use by 1764.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_River_(New_York)#Origin_of_the_name


It could be a deliberate attempt by the British to undermine the French language back in the days when they competed over Canada. :biggrin:

The English established fishing outposts in Newfoundland around 1610 and colonized the Thirteen Colonies to the south. A series of four Intercolonial Wars erupted between 1689 and 1763. Mainland Nova Scotia came under British rule with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713); the Treaty of Paris (1763) ceded Canada and most of New France to Britain following the Seven Years' War.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada#History
 
  • #24
I know the name of my little town of Mt. Holly is from the French 'comment t'allez vous'.
 

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