The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to.
The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to. The above is for educational purposes only. Find the full text and audio here or on Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts.
propre
Number 2. Find Number 1 here. Not really the lighter side from this week, but enough of a positive to merit mention in this series.
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Et alors, qu’est ce qui est sorti de cette réunion ? Et bien, douze propositions que liste le Nouvel Observateur. Parmi elles : « permettre aux citoyens français par exemple de parrainer des candidats à la citoyenneté », ou encore « proposer systématiquement à l’enseignement proposé systématiquement l’enseignement du français à l’ensemble des étrangers » qui arrivent sur le territoire pour la première fois. Des ovnis dans le débat public français, marqué par une poussée des conservatismes.
So, what came out of this meeting? Well, twelve proposals listed in the Nouvel Observateur. Among them: “allow French citizens, for example, to sponsor candidates for citizenship”, or “systematically offer French language teaching to all foreigners” arriving in France for the first time. Oddballs in the French public debate, marked by a surge in conservatism.
Translated with Deepl.
What does “est sorti” mean?
Est sorti de cette réunion means [he/she/it] came out of that meeting or left that meeting.
Il est sorti de cette réunion en colère.
(He came out of that meeting angry.)
Rien de concret n’est sorti de cette réunion.
(Nothing concrete came out of that meeting.)
Figurative (the result or outcome of the meeting).
What does “parmi elles” mean?
Parmi elles means among them (referring to a group of feminine plural nouns).
Plusieurs solutions ont été proposées. Parmi elles, une semblait faisable.
(Several solutions were proposed. Among them, one seemed feasible.)
Il y avait beaucoup de femmes célèbres. Parmi elles, trois scientifiques.
(There were many famous women. Among them, three scientists.)
Parmi is used to indicate something within a group, and elles refers to a group of feminine nouns or women. If the group were masculine or mixed, you’d use parmi eux. It’s a common, elegant way to narrow focus or introduce a detail about a group.
What does “parrainer” mean?
Parrainer means to sponsor, to support, or to mentor, depending on context. It comes from parrain (godfather), so originally it implied guidance or support.
Cette célébrité a accepté de parrainer l’événement.
(This celebrity agreed to sponsor the event.)
Il parraine un enfant dans une association humanitaire.
(He sponsors a child through a humanitarian organization.)
L’entreprise parraine une équipe de sport locale.
(The company sponsors a local sports team.)
It can refer to financial backing, official support, or mentorship, such as in school or corporate programs (parrain/marraine for newcomers). Culturally, parrainer carries a tone of responsibility, protection, and visibility—the sponsor lends credibility, resources, or guidance to the person or project.
What does “l’enseignement du français” mean?
L’enseignement du français means the teaching of French or French language education.
Il travaille dans l’enseignement du français langue étrangère.
(He works in the teaching of French as a foreign language.)
L’enseignement du français évolue avec les nouvelles technologies.
(The teaching of French is evolving with new technologies.)
This phrase is commonly used in academic, educational, and institutional contexts to refer to programs, methods, or fields focused on how French is taught, whether to native speakers (français langue maternelle) or non-native speakers (français langue étrangère or FLE).
It can include grammar instruction, literature, communication, and cultural aspects—basically everything related to transmitting the French language in a structured way.
What does “l’ensemble des étrangers” mean?
L’ensemble (des étrangers) means all (foreigners) or the whole group (of foreigners).
L’ensemble des étrangers ont accès à ce service.
(All foreigners have access to this service.)
L’ensemble des étrangers interrogés partagent cet avis.
(All the foreigners surveyed share this opinion.)
L’ensemble de is a formal and slightly elevated way to say all of, the entirety of, or the whole group of. It’s often used in written French, journalism, or official speech, and it suggests that you’re talking about the group as a unified whole, not just individuals.
What does “des ovnis” mean?
Des ovnis means UFOs (unidentified flying objects).
Ovnis is the plural of ovni, which stands for objet volant non identifié.
Il prétend avoir vu des ovnis dans le ciel.
(He claims to have seen UFOs in the sky.)
C’est un phénomène souvent associé aux ovnis.
(It’s a phenomenon often associated with UFOs.)
In everyday French, un ovni can also be used figuratively to describe someone or something totally unusual, strange, or unique:
Cet artiste est un véritable ovni dans le monde de la musique.
(This artist is a real outlier in the music world.)
So depending on context, des ovnis can mean literal flying objects or figurative oddballs.
NOTE: French often does not capitalize acronyms once they become common nouns, especially when they are pronounced as words rather than spelled out letter by letter.
What does “une poussée” mean?
Une poussée means a surge, a push, or a burst, depending on the context. It comes from the verb pousser (to push), and refers to a sudden movement, increase, or growth.
Une poussée de fièvre.
(A spike in fever.)
Une poussée de violence a éclaté dans la région.
(A surge of violence broke out in the region.)
Il a eu une poussée de croissance impressionnante.
*(He had a major growth spurt.)
Avec une dernière poussée, ils ont franchi la ligne d’arrivée.
*(With one final push, they crossed the finish line.)
It can be physical (a literal push or shove), medical (like fever, acne, or growth), emotional (anger, fear), or social (a wave of support, a rise in prices). Culturally, poussée is a vivid, action-oriented word that suggests force, movement, or escalation.
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The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to. The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we…
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