Little Talk in Slow French
Host: Nagisa Morimoto
Episode: French Quizz #2 – Gastronomie, nature, langue française, sport
Date: April 9, 2022
Overview
In this interactive quiz episode, Nagisa Morimoto explores French culture through questions on gastronomy, nature, the French language, and sports. Aimed at learners of French, the episode features explanations of vocabulary, cultural trivia, and gentle linguistic corrections. The tone is friendly, encouraging, and enthusiastic, helping listeners both review their knowledge and pick up new facts and words relating to France.
Episode Breakdown
1. Introduction and Corrections
[00:06–04:15]
- Nagisa welcomes listeners, referencing the cold April weather in Europe and providing useful vocabulary (“Il fait froid,” “ça arrive souvent”).
- Explains a French saying:
- “En avril, ne te découvre pas d’un fil. En mai, fais ce qu’il te plaît” (Don’t shed a thread in April, do as you please in May) [01:52]
- Returns to last episode’s geography quiz:
- South Africa has three capitals: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial) [03:00]
- Correction (by listener Ewa on Patreon): Elbrus (Russia), not Mont Blanc, is Europe’s highest mountain – Mont Blanc is highest in Western Europe [03:36]
- “Merci beaucoup Ewa de m’avoir corrigé.” [03:53]
- Sets today’s quiz categories: gastronomy, nature, French language, and sports.
2. Gastronomy Quiz
[04:15–14:35]
Key Questions & Answers
- Famous Petite Gâteau?
- Almond-based, round, sweet: Le macaron [04:29]
- Wine Expert in a Restaurant?
- A “sommelier” or “sommelière” helps choose wine [05:36]
- What body part does ‘gastronomie’ refer to?
- “Gastro-” from Greek, refers to the stomach [06:10]
- Crêpes: Speciality from Brittany (Bretagne)
- 6 January’s Traditional Cake?
- La galette des rois (almond-filled Kings’ cake), a broad tradition beyond Christianity [07:41]
- What’s eaten between main dish and dessert in France?
- Cheese (fromage) [08:49]
- “À la française... entrée, plat principal, fromage, dessert.”
- Cheese (fromage) [08:49]
- Raw Meat Dish?
- Steak tartare [09:25]
- City with restaurants called ‘bouchons’?
- Lyon; Nagisa explains the multiple meanings for “bouchon” (bottle cap, traffic jam, traditional restaurant).
Notable Quotes
- “Est-ce que vous avez déjà mangé des macarons ?” [04:41]
- “Un bouchon... ça peut être le bouchon d’une bouteille... ou un bouchon sur la route.” [10:32]
3. Nature Quiz
[14:35–23:30]
Key Questions & Answers
- Where can you see pink flamingos in France?
- In the Camargue (nature reserve, Mediterranean coast) [14:53]
- What bird symbolizes Alsace?
- White stork (la cigogne blanche), commonly seen in Alsace [16:22]
- Where in France do bears live?
- Les Pyrénées (Pyrenees Mountains)
- Are there snakes in France?
- Yes, several species; most are non-venomous but can bite.
- “La majorité ne sont pas venimeux… mais ils peuvent quand même mordre.” [17:55]
- Yes, several species; most are non-venomous but can bite.
- How many national parks are in France?
- 11 (parcs nationaux, created from the 1960s to protect nature) [18:10]
- Most common French forest tree?
- Le chêne (oak); in the south, also plenty of pins (pine trees).
- “L’arbre le plus répandu... c’est le chêne.” [18:54]
- Le chêne (oak); in the south, also plenty of pins (pine trees).
- Where are lavender fields best seen?
- La Provence (southeast France), famous for lavender markets, candies, honey, and essential oils [19:39]
- When was France’s 'Ministry of the Environment' created?
- In the 1970s (1971); now called le ministère de la transition écologique [20:50]
4. French Language Quiz
[23:30–27:53]
Key Questions & Answers
- In how many countries is French an official language?
- 29, with a list provided (including France, Canada, Belgium, several African nations, and others) [23:41]
- Where do more people speak French daily: Europe or Africa?
- More in Africa (54%) [25:27]
- Is French a Romance language?
- Yes, derived from Latin.
- Who created l’Académie Française?
- Cardinal de Richelieu, in the 17th century. Members are called les immortels [26:34]
- “Il y a 40 membres à l’académie française... on les appelle les immortels.” [26:49]
- Cardinal de Richelieu, in the 17th century. Members are called les immortels [26:34]
- What’s the slang called where you invert syllables?
- Le verlan (e.g., “gentil” → “tigeant”; “métro” → “trômé”) [27:20]
5. Sports Quiz
[27:53–32:44]
Key Questions & Answers
- Popular ball sport in southwest France?
- Le rugby [28:04]
- Were the first modern Olympics in France?
- No, they were in Athens, but inspired by Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin.
- French ancestor of tennis?
- Le jeu de paume, originally played by hand, then with rackets [29:15]
- Where does the Tour de France finish?
- Paris, on the Champs-Élysées [29:55]
- Nickname for France’s football (soccer) team?
- Les Bleus (“The Blues”)—Chant: Allez les Bleus ! [30:41]
- Largest tennis tournament in France?
- Les Internationaux de France, commonly known as Roland-Garros [31:15]
- Most popular sports daily in France?
- L’Équipe [31:41]
- Most popular sport in France (by members)?
- Football (soccer), then tennis, then horse riding (équitation) [32:20]
Notable Quotes
- “Pendant un match, on entend souvent ‘Allez les Bleus !’” [30:55]
- “Le plus grand quotidien sportif français s’appelle l’équipe.” [31:41]
Memorable Moments & Style
- Nagisa’s reassurance about making mistakes (“Merci beaucoup Ewa de m’avoir corrigé.” [03:53]).
- Continual side explanations, e.g.:
- “Le mot bouchon a beaucoup de signification” [10:32]
- Cultural notes on food and language.
- Gentle reminders and encouragement to revisit certain French expressions and culture.
- Promise of more quiz episodes, broadening coverage to arts in the next installment.
Key Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | Content | |--------------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Weather & intro idioms | 00:06-02:20| French expressions for spring | | Map/geography correction | 03:00-04:00| South Africa’s capitals; Mont Blanc vs Elbrus | | Gastronomy Quiz | 04:15-14:35| Macaron, sommelier, crêpes, bouchon, tradition | | Nature Quiz | 14:35-23:30| Camargue flamingos, Alsace stork, Pyrenees, lavender | | French Language Quiz | 23:30-27:53| Official language countries, verlan, Académie | | Sports Quiz | 27:53-32:44| Rugby, Tour de France, Roland-Garros, Les Bleus |
Conclusion
Nagisa delivers a lively, informative quiz that blends language learning, cultural insights, and fun facts about France. The episode encourages listeners to test themselves while providing plenty of context, explanations, and cultural color, making it both accessible and engaging for French learners of all levels.