Podcast Summary: ehoui! – Episode 38

Title: 10 horrible tautologies French people say
Host: Virginie Cutulic
Date: March 8, 2021

Episode Overview

In this episode, Virginie Cutulic explores a playful yet often overlooked aspect of everyday French: pléonasmes (pleonasms or tautologies). She highlights ten “horrible” pleonasms commonly used by native French speakers—mistakes even fluent speakers make unconsciously. Through explanations, examples, and humorous asides, she encourages both French learners and natives to become aware of these pitfalls and avoid repeating themselves unnecessarily.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What is a Pleonasm? (01:20)

• Definition: A pleonasm is the redundant use of words with the same meaning within a sentence.
  • “Un pléonasme, selon le dictionnaire, c’est une répétition dans une même phrase de mots qui ont le même sens.” (01:29)
• Occur naturally in all languages, often said unintentionally by imitating others.

1. Descendre en bas / Monter en haut (First example)

Timestamp: 02:12

• Issue: “Descendre” already implies “going down,” so adding “en bas” (downstairs) is superfluous. The same goes for “monter en haut” (going upstairs).
• Correct usage: Simply say descendre or monter.
• Notable quote:
  • “Ne dites surtout pas ‘je vais descendre en bas pour aller à la cuisine’. Non. Si vous descendez, c’est forcément en bas.” (03:02)

2. Bref résumé

Timestamp: 03:28

• Issue: “Résumé” means brief description; adding “bref” is redundant.
• Correct usage: Just say “faire un résumé.”
• Notable quote:
  • “Un résumé, c’est forcément quelque chose de bref. [...] Sinon, ce n’est plus un résumé, c’est une dissertation.” (03:38)

3. Une autre alternative

Timestamp: 04:25

• Issue: “Alternative” contains the idea of “another option” (from Latin alter). Saying “another alternative” is like saying “another another option.”
• Usage in other languages: Virginie notes this error exists in Spanish and possibly in English.
• Correct usage: Use either “une option” or “une alternative.”
• Notable quote:
  • “‘Alternative’, c’est du latin ‘alter’ qui signifie ‘autre’. Donc si vous dites ‘une autre alternative’, c’est ‘une autre autre option.’” (05:18)

4. Sortir dehors

Timestamp: 06:17

• Issue: “Sortir” always means “to go outside.” Adding "dehors" (outside) is repetitive.
• Correct usage: Just say “je vais sortir.”
• Notable quote:
  • “Quand vous sortez, c’est forcément dehors. Vous n’allez pas sortir à l’intérieur. [...] Oubliez ce pléonasme qui est totalement faux.” (07:09)

5. Au jour d’aujourd’hui

Timestamp: 07:38

• Issue: “Aujourd’hui” is already etymologically a pleonasm (“au jour de hui”—hui meaning “the day we are in”), so adding “au jour d’aujourd’hui” repeats this threefold.
• Correct usage: Say “aujourd’hui” or “actuellement.”
• Notable quote:
  • “Faites-moi la promesse de ne jamais l’utiliser: ‘au jour d’aujourd’hui’. [...] Imaginez la catastrophe, parce que ‘aujourd’hui’ est déjà un pléonasme en lui-même.” (09:00)

6. Allumer la lumière

Timestamp: 10:22

• Issue: “Allumer” (to light, to turn on) by definition relates to a source of light—saying “allumer la lumière” is pleonastic.
• Virginie’s honesty: She admits to using this one often herself!
• Correct usage: Say: “allumer une lampe” or just “allume, s’il te plaît.”
• Notable quote:
  • “On ne peut pas allumer la lumière parce que quand on allume, c’est forcément une source de lumière.” (10:46)

7. Moi, personnellement, je pense...

Timestamp: 11:09

• Issue: “Moi,” “personnellement,” and “je pense” all indicate a personal opinion—tripling the idea unnecessarily.
• Correct usage: Use just “personnellement” or “je pense.”
• Notable quote:
  • “Si c’est personnel, c’est évident que c’est votre opinion personnelle, d’accord ? Donc dites seulement ‘personnellement.’” (11:55)

8. Il suffit juste

Timestamp: 12:07

• Issue: The verb “suffire” means “just enough,” so saying “il suffit juste” (it’s just enough just/only) is tautological.
• Correct usage: “Il suffit de…” or “il faut juste…”
• Notable quote:
  • “Il suffit juste est un pléonasme en lui-même parce que le verbe suffire ça signifie ‘avoir la juste quantité’.” (12:26)

[Brief Aside: Family Life Noise] (13:10)

Virginie apologizes for possible background noise from her son waking up—a charming, humanizing moment.

9. Faire le tri sélectif

Timestamp: 13:40

• Issue: “Faire le tri” (to sort) already means to separate; adding “sélectif” (selective) repeats the meaning.
• Correct usage: “Faire le tri des déchets ménagers”
• Notable quote:
  • “Faire le tri, ça signifie séparer. [...] Mais quand on dit sélectif, on répète le fait qu’on sépare.” (14:13)

10. etc... (with ellipsis)

Timestamp: 14:48

• Issue: Writing “etc.” (from Latin “et cetera,” meaning “and other things”) plus “...” is redundant, since both symbolically mean the same.
• Correct usage: Write “etc.” with a dot, not with additional dots.
• Notable quote:
  • “Le mot etc en latin signifie ‘autre chose’. [...] Beaucoup de français vont écrire etc avec trois petits points. Les trois petits points [...] signifient aussi ‘autre chose’.” (14:55)

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Virginie blends linguistic accuracy with humor and a teacher’s care, often sharing her own slip-ups:
  • “Je l’avoue, je l’ai déjà utilisé plusieurs fois.” (on “allumer la lumière”)
• A recurring theme: Even natives regularly make these errors, so don’t assume everything a French person says is perfectly correct.

Key Takeaways

• Pleonasms are common even among native speakers; awareness is key to sounding more natural and correct in French.
• Virginie’s examples are practical, touching real-world conversations and writing.
• Fun self-awareness:
  • “Ce n’est pas parce qu’un français dit quelque chose que c’est forcément correct. Nous faisons beaucoup de fautes dans notre langue.” (16:05)
• Episode ends with a reminder to consult the episode notes for the list and encouragement to practice and share.

Timestamps Quick Reference

| Pleonasm | Start Time | |------------------------------|-------------| | Descendre en bas / Monter... | 02:12 | | Bref résumé | 03:28 | | Une autre alternative | 04:25 | | Sortir dehors | 06:17 | | Au jour d’aujourd’hui | 07:38 | | Allumer la lumière | 10:22 | | Moi, personnellement, je... | 11:09 | | Il suffit juste | 12:07 | | Faire le tri sélectif | 13:40 | | etc... (with ellipsis) | 14:48 |

Final Notes

Virginie urges listeners to pay attention to real usage, even among natives, and highlights how learning these pitfalls is a crucial, fun step toward mastering authentic French.

“J’espère que cet épisode vous a plu. […] Ce n’est pas parce qu’un français dit quelque chose que c’est forcément correct.” (16:01)

Recommended for: French learners and speakers wanting to clean up their everyday language while enjoying a good laugh at shared mistakes.