Improve your ear for fast spoken French with a this clip from the Transfert podcast (s01ep22 #75). What words stand out to you? I found “du jour au lendemain”, “ne se faisait pas”, and “fille mère” interesting. Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen!
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Transfert s01ep22. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Transfert s01ep22. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
overnight
What’s opening up for you with this clip?
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Ma grand-mère, elle a eu des cheveux blancs euh du jour au lendemain. euh C’était un euh un village catholique. Ça ne se faisait pas d’avoir Ça ne se faisait pas d’a’voir d’être une fille mère.
My grandmother’s hair turned white overnight. It was a Catholic village. It wasn’t meant to be It wasn’t meant to be a girl mother.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “du jour au lendemain” mean?
“Du jour au lendemain” translates to “overnight” or “from one day to the next” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- The phrase is used to describe something happening very suddenly or unexpectedly, with a very short transition time.
- It implies a rapid change or development, literally from one day to the next.
Examples
- “Il a changé d’avis du jour au lendemain.” (He changed his mind overnight.)
- “La situation a évolué du jour au lendemain.” (The situation evolved from one day to the next.)
Context
- “Du jour au lendemain” is commonly used in various contexts to express abrupt changes or swift transitions in situations, decisions, or conditions.
- It can be found in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal or literary uses, often to emphasize the suddenness of an event or change.
Summary
“Du jour au lendemain” means “overnight” or “from one day to the next” in French. It’s used to describe quick, sudden changes or developments, emphasizing the rapidity and unexpectedness of the transition. This phrase is versatile and can be applied in numerous contexts where abrupt change is a key aspect.
What does “ne se faisait pas” mean?
“Ne se faisait pas” translates to “was not done” or “did not happen” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- This phrase comes from the verb “faire,” which means “to do” or “to make,” used here in its reflexive form “se faire,” meaning “to be done” or “to happen.”
- When combined with the negation “ne…pas,” it indicates that an action or event did not take place or was not carried out.
Examples
- “La réunion ne se faisait pas hier.” (The meeting did not happen yesterday.)
- “Dans ce village, cela ne se faisait pas.” (In that village, it was not done.)
Context
- “Ne se faisait pas” can be used in various contexts, from everyday situations to historical or cultural references. It is often used to describe customs, events, or actions that were not undertaken or did not occur.
- It’s a common construction in both spoken and written French, particularly when discussing the absence of an action or the non-occurrence of an event.
Summary
“Ne se faisait pas” means “was not done” or “did not happen” in French. It’s used to express that a certain action or event did not take place or was not carried out. This phrase is versatile and applicable in multiple contexts, ranging from daily activities to broader discussions about cultural or historical practices.
What does “une fille mère” mean?
“Une fille mère” translates to “a single mother” or more specifically “an unmarried mother” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- Historically, this term was used to describe a woman who has a child out of wedlock.
- The phrase focuses on the marital status of the mother, highlighting that she is not married at the time of her child’s birth.
Contextual Use and Cultural Aspect
- In earlier times, particularly when societal norms were more conservative, “une fille mère” often carried a stigma. It was used in contexts where having a child outside of marriage was socially frowned upon.
- In contemporary society, the term may still be used, but the societal perspective on single or unmarried mothers has evolved, becoming more accepting and less judgmental.
- However, the term can still be considered outdated or pejorative in modern usage, given its historical connotations.
- In contemporary French, the term “mère célibataire” is more commonly and respectfully used to refer to a single mother.
Summary
“Une fille mère” refers to an unmarried woman who has a child, traditionally used in a context where having a child outside of marriage was less socially accepted. While still understood in French, the term’s usage has declined, and it may be viewed as outdated or insensitive in contemporary society due to changing social norms and attitudes towards single parenthood.
This clip is from the “Transfert” podcast
Produced by slate.fr, “Transfert” is a unique French podcast that offers an immersive listening experience. Each episode features real-life stories narrated by the people who lived them. These personal narratives cover a wide range of human experiences and emotions, providing listeners with profound insights into the lives and minds of others. The storytelling is intimate and engaging, making it an excellent resource for French language learners to improve their listening skills while connecting with compelling, authentic content.
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Improve your ear for fast spoken French with a this clip from the Transfert podcast (s01ep22 #75). What words stand out to you? I found “du jour au lendemain”, “ne se faisait pas”, and “fille mère” interesting. Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen!
