French All-in-One For Dummies

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9781118282526
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: French Language
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

Your comprehensive guide to speaking, reading, and writing in French

French is a beautiful language but can be quite difficult to learn. Whether you need to learn the language for a French class, or for business or leisure travel, French for Dummies All-In-One makes it easier.

With nearly 800 pages, French All-in-One For Dummies is for those readers looking for a comprehensive guide to help them immerse themselves in the French language.

• Culls vital information from several Dummies titles, offering you a comprehensive, all-encompassing guide to speaking and using French
• Includes French Canadian content and enhanced practiced opportunities
• Its accompanying audio CD provides you with en effective tool to start speaking French right away

Both new students of French and experienced speakers can benefit from the wealth of information that has been included in French All-in-One For Dummies.

CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of the e-book file, but are available for download after purchase.

Book I

Speaking in Everyday Settings

In this book . . .

You have to start somewhere, but we bet you know a lot more French than you realize. Don’t think so? Then check out Chapter 1 and see how many French words and idioms you already use. In this book, we warm you up with the basics of pronunciation and parts of speech. Then we engage you in some French small talk and place you in common situations where you pick up the language quite naturally.

Here are the contents of Book I at a glance:

Chapter 1: Warming Up with Some French Fundamentals

Chapter 2: Un, Deux, Trois: Numbers, Dates, and Times

Chapter 3: Greetings, Goodbyes, and Small Talk

Chapter 4: Getting Personal: Discussing Your Home, Family, and Daily Routine

Chapter 5: Talking Business and Politics

Chapter 6: Shopping at a Store and Online

Chapter 7: Buying, Preparing, and Tasting Foods

Chapter 1

Warming Up with Some French Fundamentals

In This Chapter

Looking at French words related to English

Exploring pronunciation patterns

Noting differences in Canadian French

Learning a new language can be challenging. Not only do you need to pick up a whole new vocabulary, but you also need to twist your head around different grammar rules and twist your tongue — and ears — around different pronunciation rules. But here’s a little news that may make the task seem a little less daunting: You already know quite a few French words and expressions. How? Because the English language has borrowed many French words and expressions, and French has absorbed some English words, too.

In this chapter, you explore some French words and phrases that have the same spellings and meanings as their English counterparts as well as words that are close in spelling and meaning. But not every word that resembles an English word shares its meaning, so we also tell you which words to watch out for. In addition, we include some French expressions that you probably alr...