Month: April 2010

Posted in Notes on English Cross Cultural Comments Idiomatic Expressions

“The bottom line” and “at the end of the day”

The bottom line is the final result.

“The bottom line,” said Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chief of pulmonology at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital, “is there’s no longterm health effect from volcanic ash.”

(see the article on the vocabulary of green, too)

and at the end of the day …

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Posted in Photos Cross Cultural Comments Savannah

One reason for Savannah

The opposite of “despite” …  How about these?

Because & Thanks to.

Because we just love Savannah and Paris  … and thanks to you for reading The (Paris Savannah) Connection.

Reason can be emotional.

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Posted in Music Cross Cultural Comments Savannah

Moon River – Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Moon River … is …  Savannah. The song was written by Johnny Mercer, a Savannah boy, for the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Sung and made famous by Audrey Hepburn. Credit for writing the extraordinary and original music goes to Henry Mancini.

If you have never seen this movie, you MUST!

For those of you who’d like to read the story by Truman Capote, on which the film was based,  there is now a bilingual edition in the Bilingual Folio Series (ISBN: 9782070403882)

Here are the lyrics:

“Moon River”

music by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Johnny Mercer

 

Moon River, wider than a mile,
I’m crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you’re going I’m going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There’s such a lot of world to see.
We’re after the same rainbow’s end–
waiting ’round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.   

© 1961 Paramount Music Corporation, ASCAP

 

If you’re interested in cross-cultural … culture … subscribe to my newsletter!

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments Savannah

Perkis Photo Exhibit at the Telfair

These images, taken in the most familiar circumstances—snapped from the driver’s seat or taken at home, are much more than the sum of their parts. As seen by Perkis, the electric fury of barking dogs in the streets of Mexico, the white stillness of Israel, and the silence of a sleeping mother reveal deep complexities of gray, of raw emotion and metaphor. Recent, contemplative works produced by the artist since losing his sight in one eye in 2007 will also be included in the exhibition.

The new exhibit at the Telfair is opening on April 16th.

[audio:http://test.paris-savannah.com/wp-content/uploads/mf24087.mp3|titles=April]

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Posted in Notes on English Cross Cultural Comments Hear it, Say it, Write it ! Idiomatic Expressions Online Language Resources for English

“I can’t help it…”

Now if this were … “I can’t help you” or “I can’t help him” or “I can’t help them”… it would be easily translatable.

In French, for example, we’d say literally: “Désolé, je ne peux pas vous aider” ou “Je ne peux pas t’aider … dans le sens de “Je ne peux pas te donner un coup de main” , “Je ne peux pas te dépanner … ” “Je ne peux pas vous être utile…” ou même “Mon cher ami, si vous saviez …” … etcetera.

But the “it” … changes everything! Unless you’re talking about Minerva,  your pet cat, or Tolleston, your pet dog …  for example …,

“I can’t help it” is what someone says when they’re doing something compulsively. Indulging in something. Having an uncontrolled reaction. Cleptomania, for example … just picking up something that doesn’t belong to them.  Maybe having … one more drink.

Just listen: 

[audio:http://test.paris-savannah.com/wp-content/uploads/ex17041a1.mp3|titles=can’t help it]

In French, we might now translate this as:

“Je n’y peux rien…” ou “Je ne peux pas m’empêcher …” ou “C’est plus fort que moi …”

Apparently, it’s said on both sides of the Atlantic. As much by women as by men?

Why did I put this little thing in here today?

[audio:http://test.paris-savannah.com/wp-content/uploads/just-couldnt-help-it1.mp3|titles=just couldn’t help it!]

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments France

the path down to the sea …

a walk

between the cliffs and down to the

in Varengeville.

Take a bathing suit, sandals…and check the the tide table!!

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Posted in About Learning a Foreign Language Notes on English Cross Cultural Comments Fluency

Vitamins: V – L – W – R and P

V as in vocabulary!

Building a strong vocabulary is fundamental. And it gives you a competitive edge.

In both your native language and in a foreign language. I can help you do this. Life is so much nicer, so much … healthier, too with a good, solid active vocabulary at your  service!

Why is this what you need to do now? Because, if you feel frustrated or inhibited when you need to speak, it’s likely that you’re … at a lack of words to say what you want to express!

You need a daily dose of Vitamine V In order to

  • understand spoken English immediately
  • read the written word quickly
  • speak – dialogue – share comfortably
  • write clearly

Q: How can I build my vocabulary?

A. If you’re interested in building your vocabulary … subscribe to the Paris Savannah Connection.

And then there’s Vitamine L:

as in Love to Listen …

We’re so incredibly fortunate to have inherited constitutions which guarantee Free Speech. And broadband access to the Internet has given us access to sources and media hitherto relatively unavailable.

Listen not only to the media you’re used to …. but why not the BBC, too … or the Financial Times ? There are interviews and documentaries, often short and sweet – here …. Listen … Whether you’re interested in business, technology, environment, science, the arts or real estate or fashion or sports  … You’ll learn to love to listen!

If you love to listen … subscribe to the Paris Savannah Connection.

Vitamine W:

W as in Word? As is What? Why? Where? Who? When?

Why not?

But what about … writing?  Now that we’re all online … we spend so much time … writing! Keep it up. Think about writing. Develop your own style.

Write! … Even a comment on this blog!

Need some help … some guidelines for good writing?

If you’re interested in writing … subscribe to the Paris Savannah Connection.

not to mention Vitamine P for … Participation.

This is like Vitamine EE (Expression Experience). You’ve got to speak .. You’ve got to Dialogue. The best way to advance .. to get better .. to improve … is to Participate. Not only do we learn from others … we learn from our experience. From doing it.

Speak and Talk and Say and Tell  — Ask  and Answer – Participate and you’ll be a happier person!

And you’d be amazed at what you have to say!

If you’re interested in participating … subscribe to the Paris Savannah Connection.

Vitamines V – L – W – R and P : Does your daily diet include the recommended daily doses or do you absolutely have to

subscribe to the Paris Savannah Connection. ? …… Yes, I think I’m suffereing from a vitamin deficiency..

 

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Posted in Photos Cross Cultural Comments Paris

where the avenue meets the street

here’s where a writer meets a painter and each goes their own way.

[audio:http://test.paris-savannah.com/wp-content/uploads/Heres-where.mp3|titles=Here’s where a writer meets a painter and each goes his own way.]

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Posted in Photos Cross Cultural Comments France Paris

The Eiffel Tower one morning

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments

On the menu tonight …

How many of you know these videos? I think they’re a lot of fun … A world of easy, tasty recipes. Here’s one of scallops (coquilles st. jacques) , supposedly southern style!

Enjoy Mark Bittman’s cooking lessons in   The Minimalist.

Is there anybody in Savannah … or Paris … with recipes to share … or anyone who wants to give some cooking lessons?

If you’re interested in food and wine and taste … subscribe to the Paris Savannah Connection newsletter!

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