Coucou les French learners,
Have you ever found yourself struggling to find the right words in French, only to resort to using English or relying on gestures to get your point across?
You’re not alone.
As a language learner, you know that speaking spontaneously in French can be a daunting task, especially when you’re not sure of the exact words to use.
That’s where circumlocution comes in.
Circum…What? Circumlocution. It is when you describe something without using the exact words.
It’s like using a map to find your way around a new city: you might not know the exact street names, but you can still navigate your way to your destination.
The Secret to Spontaneous French
So, why is circumlocution so beneficial?
You enrich your vocabulary because you acquire new words and phrases without directly memorizing them. You build a more extensive vocabulary.
You also develop communication. Circumlocution encourages you to think creatively and use your existing knowledge to convey your message. This helps you become a more confident and effective communicator in French.
You become more fluent because you get to speak in French without relying solely on direct translations. This helps you develop a natural flow.
To use circumlocution in everyday French conversations, follow these steps :
- Observe how native French speakers use circumlocution in their conversations. Pay attention to how they describe things without using the exact words and try to incorporate these strategies into your own conversations.
- Start by using circumlocution in simple conversations. For example, if someone asks you what you did yesterday, you could say “I did something with my friends. I watched a film but I didn’t watch a film on Netflix.” instead of just saying “I went to the movies.” This helps you explain something without having the right words. It makes you say more.
- Focus on the context. For instance, when discussing different types of fruit, you could use circumlocution by saying “the thing that is red and small” instead of saying “strawberry”. Context provides the appropriate frame for using a circumlocution to describe a specific type of fruit, rather than relying on translation.
Join my FREE live session next week!
I am excited to invite you to our free live session on Zoom!
Wednesday June 26
4pm UK / 5pm France / 11am EST / 8am PST
Click here to join us. Everybody is welcome. It is totally free. I can’t wait to see you!
(In case you cannot attend, we will miss you but you can watch the replay here. It is available only for our members)
During the session, we’ll explore different circumlocution strategies and we will use them in French in a relaxed environment (no stress, no fear!)
This is your chance to see firsthand how efficient and easy French acquisition can be.
Experience the joy of understanding and enjoying French with fellow learners.
Join us and gain
CLARITY: progress step by step through stages and make French become clear to you. Understand French with ease.
COMMUNITY: meet weekly and keep yourself accountable through the most caring and invested community. Think French naturally.
TRANSFORMATION: feel empowered. Be fluent in French. Transform yourself and get a new soul. Speak French freely.