The first lady

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Permalink Reply by Frank on September 25, 2009 at 9:19pm

Yes we have.

Carla is called première dame (or "première dame de France"), which is a literal translation of first lady.

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Permalink Reply by Crack1 on September 25, 2009 at 9:36pm

If you meet President Sarkozy, how do you address him?
In English, the head of the government is 'Your Excellency' in official circumstances.
I don't know how those aspects in French culture.

If you go to Rome to have audience with the Pope, you should address him 'Your Holiness'.
In India people address 'Dalai Lama' as 'Your Holiness'.
It may be fine to say 'Hello Benedict' if you meet him at a Pizza restaurant.

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Permalink Reply by Frank on September 25, 2009 at 9:42pm

It all depends on how much respect you think he deserves, but the most formal way, and the way you'll see in the press, is just Monsieur le Président.

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Permalink Reply by Crack1 on September 25, 2009 at 10:26pm

Frank
There is a famous French song about ' Monsieur le Président.'
I heard it when I was studying French.
It is a very famous song.
Did you know it?

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Permalink Reply by Frank on September 28, 2009 at 9:22am

Ehm... noppe :)

Who is it by?

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Permalink Reply by Crack1 on September 28, 2009 at 3:42pm

Frank
When I was studying French, I listened to it. She (one of my teachers) had a cassette recorder.
It was a beautiful one.
It is very famous. I think when studying French, there is a great chance that you get an opportunity to listen the song.
I would like to have it for my mobile phones as .mp3.
If you have it, you are welcome to email to me.


Monsieur le Président
Je vous fais une lettre
Que vous lirez peut-être
Si vous avez le temps

Je viens de recevoir
Mes papiers militaires
Pour partir à la guerre
Avant mercredi soir

Monsieur le Président
Je ne veux pas la faire
Je ne suis pas sur terre
Pour tuer des pauvres gens
C'est pas pour vous fâcher
Il faut que je vous dise
Ma décision est prise
Je m'en vais déserter

Depuis que je suis né
J'ai vu mourir mon père
J'ai vu partir mes frères
Et pleurer mes enfants

Ma mère a tant souffert
Elle est dedans sa tombe
Et se moque des bombes
Et se moque des vers

Quand j'étais prisonnier
On m'a volé ma femme
On m'a volé mon âme
Et tout mon cher passé

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Permalink Reply by Frank on September 28, 2009 at 3:48pm

Oh yes, this is Le Déserteur by Boris Vian. Now that you mention it, this is indeed a poem I had to study at school, but it was ages ago. Good one, though.

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Permalink Reply by Crack1 on September 28, 2009 at 3:57pm

Frank
You find it on the Internet and I've just listened to it. It is in the youtube.
If you have it in .mp3 format, you could email to me.

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