parlez vous français?

3894 · 10-10-2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I can't wait for regular and irregular verb tenses- that will really mess with her mind.

I. love. French. verbs. I glory in them. Revel, even.

French verbs are total, like traditional Japanese culture is total. They demand commitment, discipline, complete devotion.

French verbs are so gloriously logical, if you look at them en masse and in all their tenses. Sumptiously, rigorously beautiful, that's what they are.

wendybeth · 10-10-2008, 08:52 AM

I agree with the logic in them, Helen, but it's not easy explaining to a kid who is still grappling with the crazy rules of English and has a hard time understanding why the past tense of 'strike' isn't 'striked', or 'run' isn't 'runned'. Truth be told, even though verb tenses of French change according to which personal pronoun applies, etc, it does make more sense. It's been years since I studied French, but it's amazing how those verb tenses just stick with you.

10-10-2008, 08:52 AM	#2
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I agree with the logic in them, Helen, but it's not easy explaining to a kid who is still grappling with the crazy rules of English and has a hard time understanding why the past tense of 'strike' isn't 'striked', or 'run' isn't 'runned'. Truth be told, even though verb tenses of French change according to which personal pronoun applies, etc, it does make more sense. It's been years since I studied French, but it's amazing how those verb tenses just stick with you. __________________
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