RFI Mondoblog: Apprendre à se valoriser N° 2

The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Mondoblog. The above is for educational purposes only. Find the full audio here.

d’Ayimolou

The content on this site has been predominantly “Hexagonal“, or from France. I want to expand to Francophones globally. Today’s content comes from RFI’s Mondoblog, from a speaker in Togo, West Africa.

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The snippet in English

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Translated with Deepl.

What does “aînées” mean?

Aînées means elder women or older female siblings—used to describe those who are older in age, especially within families or groups.

Mes sœurs aînées m’ont beaucoup appris (My older sisters taught me a lot).

It’s the feminine plural of aîné(e) (elder), and carries a tone of respect and precedence, especially in traditional or familial contexts.

In France, it’s often used in formal or respectful language, especially when distinguishing birth order; in Quebec, it’s common in both family talk and institutional contexts like services aux aînés (senior services); in Francophone Africa, aînées carries strong cultural weight, often linked to social hierarchy, responsibility, and respect toward older women.

What does “bien de chez nous” mean?

Bien de chez nous is a fixed expression meaning truly from here, typically used to describe something deeply local, culturally typical, or proudly regional.

C’est une recette bien de chez nous (It’s a recipe truly from around here).

It’s informal to warmly neutral, often expressing cultural pride, nostalgia, or authenticity.

In France, it’s often used with a wink—sometimes sincere, sometimes a bit ironic (une bêtise bien de chez nous – a classic local blunder). In Quebec, the phrase carries strong cultural resonance, proudly reinforcing identity (une tradition bien de chez nous – a tradition that’s truly ours). In Francophone Africa, it’s less common as a set phrase but easily understood and might appear in adaptations like bien de chez moi to highlight personal or regional roots.

What does “Ayimolou” mean?

Ayimolou (also spelled Ayimolu) is a hearty combination of rice and beans, typically black-eyed peas or red beans. The beans are cooked first, sometimes with baking soda to soften them, and then rice is added to the same pot. Some versions include sorghum leaves to give the dish a distinctive color and flavor. The result is a flavorful, protein-rich meal that’s both affordable and filling.

What does “un peu partout” mean?

Un peu partout means all over the place or in many places—used to suggest something happens or exists in multiple locations, though not necessarily everywhere.

On mange un peu partout dans la rue à Lomé (People eat all over the place in the streets of Lomé).

It’s neutral and conversational, often used to describe widespread but informal presence.

In France, it’s used casually to mean something is common or scattered across places (on en trouve un peu partout – you find it pretty much everywhere); in Quebec, usage is the same, sometimes with un peu partout au Québec to clarify scope; in Francophone Africa, it’s common in speech, often to describe street culture, food availability, or informal practices with a sense of variety and accessibility.

What does “gère” mean?

Gère is the third person singular (or tu-form imperative) of gérer, meaning manages, handles, or deals with.

Il gère bien son temps (He manages his time well)

It’s neutral to informal, used in practical, emotional, or business contexts. In France, gère is very common, and in slang it can even mean someone is doing really well (Il gère grave – He’s totally killing it). In Quebec, gérer keeps its standard meaning but is a bit more formal in tone; in Francophone Africa, gère is widely used in daily life—often referring to responsibilities, money, or social situations (Elle gère la maison toute seule – She runs the household on her own).

What does “étalage” mean?

Étalage means display or stall—typically referring to the arrangement of goods for sale, especially in markets or shops.

Les fruits sont en étalage devant la boutique (The fruits are on display in front of the shop).

It’s neutral and descriptive, often used in commercial or street contexts. In France, étalage can refer to both outdoor market stands and store window displays (vitrine), and it also has a figurative use: faire étalage de (to show off). In Quebec, it’s used similarly, especially for visual merchandising. In Francophone Africa, étalage is a common word in urban street markets, where vendors set up goods on makeshift stalls or directly on the ground—it’s central to the informal economy.

What does “pourtant” mean?

Pourtant means yet, however, or still—used to express contrast or contradiction between two ideas.

Il avait tout pour réussir, pourtant il a échoué (He had everything to succeed, yet he failed).

It’s neutral and common, found in both speech and writing. In France, pourtant is a go-to word for building argument or tension in storytelling; in Quebec, usage is the same, though cependant or mais may be more common in formal writing; in Francophone Africa, pourtant is widely used in spoken French to signal irony, surprise, or emphasis, often in narratives or moral lessons.

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