Vivons Heureux Numéro 1, Quiz 31: en permanence

The above audio sample and transcription is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.

constantly

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What does “le volumes quoi” mean?

The phrase “C’est les volumes quoi” can be interpreted as “It’s about the volumes, you know” or “It’s the volumes, like.” It implies that the speaker is emphasizing the importance or obviousness of the volumes in the context of the discussion. This could be related to the size of something, the amount, or the mass, depending on the context.

Nuance and Cultural Context:

1. Informality: The use of “quoi” at the end of the sentence is very informal and colloquial. It’s often used in spoken French to add a casual, conversational tone. It’s not typically used in formal writing.
2. Emphasis: Adding “quoi” gives the sentence a sense of emphasis and can imply that the point being made should be obvious or is something that the listener should already understand.
3. Conversational Tone: French speakers often use fillers like “quoi,” “ben,” and “alors” to maintain a flow in conversation and to give themselves a moment to think. This is similar to how English speakers use “um” or “you know.”
4. Context: Understanding the exact meaning of “les volumes” would depend heavily on the context in which it is used. For instance, it could be about the volume of sales, the volume of sound, the volume of a shipment, etc.

Example Situations:

1. Sales Discussion:
   • “Pourquoi avons-nous eu un tel succès cette année?”
   • “C’est les volumes quoi. On a vendu bien plus que prévu.”
   (Why did we have such success this year? It’s the volumes, you know. We sold much more than expected.)
2. Shipping Context:
   • “Pourquoi ce colis est si cher?”
   • “C’est les volumes quoi. C’est énorme.”
   (Why is this package so expensive? It’s the volumes, you know. It’s huge.)

Cultural Insight:

In French culture, conversation is often seen as an art form, and how something is said can be just as important as what is said. The use of fillers like “quoi” can indicate a relaxed, informal setting and can also serve to make the conversation more engaging and dynamic.

Understanding these nuances helps in grasping not just the language but also the subtleties of French social interactions and communication styles.

What does “en permanence” mean?

The phrase “en permanence” translates to “permanently” or “constantly” in English. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe something that occurs without interruption or consistently over time.

Definition and Usage:

1. Translation: “En permanence” = Permanently, Constantly
2. Pronunciation: ɑ~𝑝ɛʁ.𝑚𝑎.𝑛ɑ~𝑠ɑ~pɛʁ.ma.nɑ~s
3. Usage: It is used to indicate that something is happening all the time, without pause or continuously.

Examples in Sentences:

1. Formal Context:
   • French: Les employés de la sécurité sont présents en permanence dans le bâtiment.
   • English: Security personnel are permanently present in the building.
2. Informal Context:
   • French: Il vérifie son téléphone en permanence.
   • English: He checks his phone constantly.

Nuance and Cultural Context:

1. Implying Continuity: When you say something happens “en permanence,” it suggests a sense of unending continuity. It might be used to emphasize the reliability or constancy of a service, action, or state.
2. Formal Settings: In professional or official settings, “en permanence” can imply the ongoing availability or presence of a service or personnel. For instance, a library may have a sign saying “Ouvert en permanence” indicating that it is open 24/7.
3. Informal Usage: In everyday conversation, saying someone does something “en permanence” can sometimes carry a hint of exaggeration, similar to how “constantly” might be used in English. For example, “Il parle en permanence” (He talks constantly) could imply that someone talks a lot, perhaps too much.
4. Literary and Media: In literature, journalism, and media, “en permanence” might be used to describe continuous phenomena, like weather patterns or economic conditions. It can lend a sense of gravity or seriousness to the subject being described.

Similar Phrases:

1. Toujours: This means “always” and is often interchangeable with “en permanence” in casual speech.
   • Example: Il est toujours là. (He is always there.)
2. Sans cesse: Meaning “without stopping” or “unceasingly.”
   • Example: Il travaille sans cesse. (He works without stopping.)
3. Continuellement: This means “continually” and also conveys the idea of ongoing action.
   • Example: Les machines fonctionnent continuellement. (The machines operate continually.)

Example Situations:

1. Customer Service:
   • French: Notre service client est disponible en permanence pour répondre à vos questions.
   • English: Our customer service is permanently available to answer your questions.
2. Health and Safety:
   • French: Les infirmières surveillent les patients en permanence.
   • English: Nurses monitor the patients constantly.
3. Technology:
   • French: Les serveurs doivent être en ligne en permanence.
   • English: The servers must be online continuously.

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