Showing posts with label french. Show all posts
Showing posts with label french. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

An Unexpected Blast from the Past

Not long ago, I carted a lot of old books to the used bookstore. I was hoping to get some money back, or at least some store credit, for them. Unfortunately, they couldn't take them, and I ended up donating them. 

 

This was placed in my book bin, even though it wasn't mine. Apparently, someone tried to trade this in and couldn't, and the bookseller had thought it was mine:

 

French_record_set1

 

That's a box of "French: Level One" practice record sets. Yes, RECORD, as in 33 1/3 RPM. 14 Longplay microgroove, hi-fi records, copyright 1960. There were only 6 of the 14 in the box:

 

French_records2

 

At the bottom there's a strip titled, "Care of the Record".

1. Store in this protective sleeve, to avoid scratching and dirt.

2. Handle this record by the edges and center only.

3. Use a microgroove needle only. Keep it clean, and have it checked occasionally to be sure that it is not too badly worn.

4. Keep record away from heat. Do not lay it in direct sun or on a radiator. (on a radiator?)

5. Always store records upright (not flat)

6. Play manually at 33 1/3 RPM.

 

And this is Practice Record Side A of Unit 8:

 

French_record3

 

Most of my students wouldn't know what to do with this. In fact, they'd think it was a weird, oversized CD or a frisbee. Considering this set is 41 years old, it's in pretty good shape. I remember records like this, though I'm not going to tell you just how old I am.

 

Thursday, July 1, 2010

O Canada!

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends!
In honor of Canada, here are the lyrics to the national anthem:

O Canada! (English Lyrics by Robert Stanley Weir, 1908)
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

French Lyrics by Adolphe-Basile Routhier, 1880)
Ô Canada!Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
*****

And an original poem by me in French:

Le Canada est plus:
nettoyer les rues
pas de graffites
gens polis.

Est plus:
sirop d'érable
bacon
neige.

Est plus:
Hockey
Gendarmerie royal du Canada
et de ceux qui disent "Eh?"
Un pays est plus que le stéréotype
C'est un peuple de beaucoup de coleurs,
de nombreuses langues,
et le coeur.



All writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010