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50LDILRS'
Spoken French
With
CORRLCT PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION
Contains also
Phrases and Vocabulary of Military and
General Terms
By
HLLLNL CROSS
(H^lene Fodor)
THIRD EDITION— RLVI5LD AND IMPROVED
NEW YORK
L. P. DUTTON & CO.
681 FIFTH AVENUE
COPYRIGHT, 1917,
Bt e. p. button & CO.
First printing June, 1917
Second printing July, 1917
Third printing ^ August, ,1917
Fou',thp;nnii;iy . .. I. .*. i. I. . .1. .*% . .'. .',. .'^i... . :.. . . /:./'. .*. ;A'ug7l3t,\l917
lijtl ^riii\ti^\,.'r,'. .*.: J 1 :.\\. , ,/ •. .v.*. . .-. .*-.' . .Beptef.idetr^ 1917
Sixth printing , v •-• 't •.•••••••••••• ••*-,• •, ^Octobhr*, • i9i7
Se'renth plrinfivgl . . ! . .".J. . ^•. ...... ^\. **.: ^.•!l.-j . ?. . .•*.,. \.Q^tob\r, >l^j'7
Eiyhiff friritlr}^.'. ..•..•.,? .•».•. ».».*. .•.»,-. ..•...*...'•...♦...*. .hiovembfr, 1917'
Ninth printing ..'.".' March, 1918
Tenth printing July, 1918
Printed in the United States of America
^
PUBLISHERS' NOTK
We believe that those of us who have wrestled with diction-
' aries and grammars iu our youth must have often envied the
A.postles when the gift of tongues fell on them, and they began
Ko speak to the "Parthians and Medes and Elamites and the
dwellers in Mesopotamia ' ' and the rest, in their own most vari-
ous languages. Unfortunately, however, nowadays, every exten-
sion of our linguistic frontiers has to be paid for with much
hard and irritating work and any short cut to the acquisition of
a foreign tongue must be looked on as more than a mere con-
venience; it is a positive blessing.
Here, in this little book, is just such a short cut, and to the
most important (for us) of all foreign languages. Our soldiers
may be able to get along without modern Greek, without Portu-
guese, without Bussian, though it would be handy for them to
be able to greet their comrades of those nations, but one lan-
guage is practically indispensable for them, — French. They
will train in France and fight in France; they will associate
with French troops, French ofiScials, French civilians, and, as
a matter of practical efficiency, they must learn to express their
elementary military and social needs in the language of France.
Here is exactly what they will want, in the trenches, in camp,
.:'rand on the way to the front; and in such a form that any man
^ who digests this little book will have all that he practically
sz needs and yet not burden his memory with anything unneces-
UJf As regards her method, the author of this book has had a
real inspiration. Instead of laboriously compiling a phrase-
^ook in the usual way, she has written down the actual verbal
370068
French lessons sne gave to ner class ot soldiera in New Siealand,
beginning straight away with words and sentences just as chil-
dren learn their own language, and only giving a few short
and essential gramma,tical rules one by one, as the knowledge
of them becomes necessary. The book is, in fact, so arranged
that it can be learned by the student without putting pen to
paper: though, of course, the work, where possible, should be
written.
Just one word of caution to the would-be student concerning
the author's original, and so far entirely successful, system of
phonetic pronunciation of French. It will be noticed that
Madame Cross ends her phonograms of words like le, te, with
the letter *'r.'* This "r" must be kept silent in the pronun-
ciation. It£ use is to ensure the correct value of the vowel
before it, and it is not meant to be sounded, any more than we
really sound the final < * r " in words like ' * for, " or " sooner. ' '
In fact it is an English final * ' r, ' ' and not a French one.
In conclusion, we can but hope that this little book will do for
the boys of America what it has already done, and is still doing,
for the gallant Anzacs.
THE PUBUSHEES.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Part I.
LESSON I.
PEONTJNCIATION.
The approximate pronunciation of each word will be
found, as the sound would be spelt in English, in brackets
beside it. As, however, there is no English equivalent for
the French sounds of u. un, on, an, and in, one can only aim
at getting near them. If possible, a student having no
French teacher should ask the nearest Frenchman to give
liim those sounds, and the rest are comparatively easy.
French u has no corresponding sound in English. It ia
most like eu, very soft, and sounded with lips rounded, as if
to whistle. This U sound, will be designated in brackets thus
(it) There is a Scotch equivalent sound in the word ''guidJ*
E's are rolled also in the Scotch manner. (Do not, however,
roll the r's which are put only for help into the English
spelling in brackets unless they are in French word also.)
N or M at the end of a word or syllable (both having the
same sound in French) is the sound most sinned against by-
English learners. '*l/o7?,"'*nom,"should never be pronounced
with the whole n sound at the end. TKe best description
is that one begins to say the N as in English, and leaves
the letter off in the middle— cuts off the last part, and makes
it nasal witii a lift of the breath. In many books, that sound
is written as "ng", and has been the cause of much mis-
pronunciation. I prefer to spell it with an h after the n or m^
»s mon (monh), nom (nomh), ton (bonh), and it will thua
be designated in this feook.
6 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
The pronunciation of gn is hard to spell in English, as
there is no equivalent. One is, however, familiar with the
n in Spanish ' ' senora, ' ' which has a sound identical with gn
in French, i.e., ''gagner.'' The g is not sounded at all, but
a turn is given to the "n."
The vowels in French are —
A, pronounced (a?i) sometimes long, sometimes short.
E, unaccented (er)
E, accented, as e, k, e, {ay)
I. Y {ee)
O (o)
XT (it) as previously explained.
The remainder of the letters are called consonants.
Accent is much more regularly balanced in French words
than in English. On the whole, if the beginner learns to
put the same stress on each syllable he does not go far wrong.
The in French is called an Article, and has three forms:
Masculine, singular. Feminine, singular. Plural.
Le (ler) la (lar) les (lay)
A vowel or a mute h at the beginning of a word has great
importance, inasmuch as it changes the article in the
singular from le or la into T, as Tarbre (larhr) = the tree.
This leaving out of a letter and putting in an apostrophe
(') is called elision, and is extensively found in French.
H is never sounded in French. The so-called h aspirate
merely prevents the linking of w^ords.
L'homme (lomm) h. mute = the man.
Le hero (ler-airo) h (so-called) aspirate = the hero.
There arc only two genders. Masculine and Peminine,
(hereafter written 7n. and /.) and no Neuter.
Inanimate objects are thus spoken of as Jie and she, as
there is no neuter word it
soldiers' spoken niENCH «
When the word le comes before a noun you know the
noun is masculine.
When la comes before a noun the noun is feminine.
The plural has the same word for both genders, les (lay).
Le livre, m. (leavr) - the book.
La table, f. (tarhl) = the table.
L'arbre, m. (Varhr) - the tree.
Les livres {leavr') - the books.
Les tables (tarbl) = the tables.
Les arbres (lays-arhr) = the trees.
K.B. S at the end of a plural word is not usually sounded. By ear.
livre and livres have the same sound. The difference between singular
and plural is shown by the article. Singular, la table (kir tarbl) ; Plural,
les tables {lay tarbl).
There are three accents; acute, as e; grave, as b; and
circumflex, as e.
Unless a word ends in e (with an accent on it) the final e
Is not sounded; e.g. encre (onJcr) = ink.
The nouns already given above all end in e mute.
Although the pronunciation of French written words is
very puzzling to English ears at first, the French language
follows regulations much more systematically than English.
Thus, if certain rules of pronunciation are learnt at the
outset, the student will find that most words follow those
rules.
Au and Eau are like English O
Er at end of a word is ay, as plancher (plonhshay) s
floor.
Oi = wa, as noir (nwar) = black.
J. and soft G. = zh, like z in Eng. word *' azure.*'
len or iens = ee-enh, as in bien, combien,
viens, tiena,
8 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
A consonant at the end of a word is not usually sounded
(excepting C, T, and L. and sometimes R) ; as marchand, m.
(marshonh) = shopkeeper.
But wh'en an. e mute occurs at the end of a word the last
consonant is then sounded, as marcliande, f. {marslionhd) -
shopkeeper.
Be sure to remember that the italicised words in brackets
are to be pronounced in the English spelling, with the excep-
tion of n, m, and u, the pronunciation of which has already
been explained.
Sentences to Learn.
Bonjour (honhzlioor) = good morning, good day.
Comment allez-vous? {komonht allay vox)) = how are you?
Tr^s bien merci {tray hienh mairsee) = very well thank you.
Et vous? {ay voo) = and you?
Monsieur {m'syeur) = Sir, Mr.
Madame {madamm) = Mada.m, Mrs.
Oui {week) = yes.
Non {norih) - no.
Je suis Anglais {zher siveezonhglay) = I am English.
J^ suis fatigue {zher sxoee fat-ee-gay) = I am tired.
Donnez-moi {donnay mwar) = give me.
S'il vous plait {seel voo play) = if you please, please.
Merci {mairsee) = thank you, thanks.
Du pain {dil panh) - some bread.
De la "viande {der la veonfid) = some meat.
Des biscuits {day iissJcWee) = some biscuits.
De I'eau {der lo) - some water.
Voici {vwarsee) = here is, here are. *
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH
Exercise 1. (To read or hear spoken).
1. Bonjour, Madame, comment allez-vous?
(Bonhzhoor, madamm, komonhtallay voo)
2. Tres bien, merci, monsieur, et vous?
(Tray hienli, mairsee, m'syeur, ay voo)
8. Je suis fatigue, madame.
(Zher sicee fat-ee-gay, madamm).
4. Donnez-moi du pain, s'il vous plait.
(Donnay mwar dii panh, seel voo play).
5. Voici du pain, monsieur.
(Vivarsee dii panh, m'syeur),
6. Merci, madame.
(Mairsee, madamm) .
7. Voici de la viande, monsieur.
(Vwarsee der lar veonJid, m'syeur)^
S. Oui, madame, merci.
(Week, madamm, mairsee).
9. Au revoir, monsieur.
(O rev war, m'syeur).
La lettre (lettr) = the letter.
La porte (iwrt) = the door.
La chambre (shomhbr) = the roonu'
La fenetre (fenaytr) = the window
Le plafond (plafonh) = the ceiling.
Le plancher {plonhslimj) = the floor.
Le store (store) = the blind.
La plume (pliim) = the pen.
Le rideau (reedo) = the curtain.
La table (tarhl) = the table.
La chaise (shays) = the chair.
Le bureau (bUro) = the desk.
10 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
ta cliemin46 (shemeenay) = the mantelpiece, chimney.
Le feu (fer) = the fire.
Le charbon (sharhonh) = the coal.
Le l3ois (bwar) = the wood.
La maison (mayzonh) = the house.
Le mur (miir) = the wall.
L'encrier {lonKkre-ay) ='the inkstand.
L'encre (lonkr) = the ink..
Et (a) = and.
Montrez-moi {monhtray mwar) =. show me.
Voila (vwarlar) - there is.
Siir {silr) - on, upon.
Bans {donh) = in.
Conversation.
(To be tried without the book.)
Question: Montrez-moi la porte.
Answer: Voici la porte.
Question: Montrez-moi le mur.
Answer: Voil^ le mur. (And so on, through all the words
in the vocabulary, while pointing to objects in the room).
_^K.B. It is impossible to repeat words and pbrases too often.
Exercise 2.
Write down or speak all the words in the Vocabulary
from dictation or from memory, putting them into the plural.
The article must be made plural, and the nouns are made
plural by the addition of s, as in English, except rideau,
"bureau, and feu, which take x.
The s of the plural is not usually sounded, as les murs
{lay miir).
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 11
When, however, one word ends in a consonant, and tiie
following word begins with a vowel, the last consonant
sound is linked on to the following vowel, and that con-
sonant is then sounded. Vous avez (voozavvay) = you have.
This is especially the case with words which belong to
each other, with no lift of the breath between.
Comment allez-vouz? {komont allay voo) = How are you?
Les encriers (laysonkreay) = the inkstands.
An exception to this rule is the word et (a) = and,
of which the t is never under any circumstances, sounded.
II y a (eel ee ar) - There i^ there are.
N.B. *' Voili " is used for *' there is " when one can point at the object.
" II y a " can be used wherever the object is, visible or invisible.
LESSON II.
Sentences to be Learnt.
Messieurs [messy err) - gentlemen, Messrs.
Bonsoir (bonhsivar) = good evening.
Je ne me iwrte pas tres bien (zher ner mer port par tray
bienh) = I am not very well.
C'est dommage (say dommarzlie) - That is a pity
Apportes-moi (apportay mwar) = Bring me.
Depecliez-vous (daypayshay voo) = Make haste.
Pouvez-vous? (poovay voo) = Can you?
Certainement (sairtaynmenh) = Certainly.
Venez ici (vennay zeesee) = Come here.
All8z-vous-en (allay voo zanh) = go away.
Un, m. (ernh) = a, an^ one.
Une, f, (iln) = a, an, one.
Des, pi (day) = somg.
12 SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH
Exercise 3. (To read and hear spoken).^
1. Bonsoir, monsieur, comment allez-vous?
2. Tres bien, merci, madame, et vous?
3. Je ne me porte pas tr^s bi^n.
4. C'est dommage.
5. Donnez-moi de I'eau, s'il vous plait.
6. Voici de I'eau, monsieur, et voici du pain.
7. Merci, madame.
8. Apportez-moi de I'eau, s'il vouo plait.
9. Certain ement, monsieur. Venez ici, s'il vous plait.
10. Apportez-moi de la viandc, et allez-vous-en.
Two students can repeat the above sentences to one
another alternately. There is nothing better than frequent
repetition, and the teacher or the pupils can make up fresh
sentences from the foregoing ones, and from other nouns
learnt.
ADJECTIVES.
Adjectives, like the articles le and un, have a masculine
and feminine form. The masculine is used with a masculine
noun, and the feminine is used with a feminine noun,
becoming also plural with the noun. This is called making
adjectives agree with their nouns.
The feminine of adjectives is usually made by adding e
to the masculine form.
Mauvais, m. (jnovvay), mauvaise, /. (movvayze) = bad.
Noir, m. (nwar), noire, /. {nwiir) = black.
Bleu, e (hler) = blue.
Brun, e (hrunh, hriin) = browii.
Froid (frwar), froide frward) - cold.
Ciaud, e {show, shoioed) ^ warm, hot.
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH 13
Grand, e (gronh, grond) = great, tall, large.
Petit, e (pertee, perteet) = small, little.
Fort, e (for, fort) = strong.
Mort, e (mor, mort) = dead, deceased.
Vert, 6 (vair, vairt) = green.
Vrai, e (vray) = true, real.
Plein, e (planh, plain) = full.
Chaud, froid, fort, mort, and adjectives of colour
and nationality follow the noun, as
le store vert = the green blind.
ConversatioxL
J'ai (shay) = I have.
H a (eel ar) = he has.
Elle a (ell ar) = she has.
Pense a (ponhsay ar) = thought of.
Quelque chose (kelTcershows) = something.
Est-ce"? (ayce) = is it?
Ce n'est pas (ser nay par) = It is not.
C'est (say) = It is.
n est (eel ay) := he is.
Elle est (ell ay) = she is.
Exercise 4.
To be spoken amongst two or more students, A. and B-
or A., B., C. and D., etc
A. J'ai pens6 a quelque chose.
B. Est-ce la porte?
A. Non, ce n'est pas la porte.
C. Est-ce la maison?
A. Non, ce n'est pas la maison.
D. Est-ce le bureau?
14 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
A. Non, ce n'est pas le bureau.
E. Est-ce la plume?
A. Non, ce n'est pas la plume.
And so on, mentioning all the names they know, of objects in
the room until the right word is obtained, then
F. Est-ce I'encre?
A. Oui, c'est I'encre.
Also, a word can be written on a .piece of paper and
folded up, and A. or B. says —
J'ai ecrit (ayl-rce) quelque chose.
C. Est-ce la cheminee? etc. etc.
This is a splendid exercise in speaking.
Ecrit = written.
Reading Exercise 5.
I. J'ai une grande porte. 2. Tl a une petite maison.
3. Elle a un plein jardin. 4. Ce n 'est pas une petite f enetre.
5. C'est un store vert. 6. Le bureau est plein. 7. La
cheminee est chaude. 8. Voila I'encrier noir. 9. Voici le
vrai marchand. 10. Montrez-moi la grande maison.
Exercise 6, to speak or write.
1, Show me the green blind. 2. I have thought of the
little windov/. 3. Is it a warm chimney? 4. Yes, it (she) is
■warm. 5. Here is the little desk. 6. There is the big blind.
7. It is not the big garden. 8. I have thought of the warm
room. 9. I have the blue ink. 10. Who has the small garden?
When "vous avez" (voozavvay) is turned round to
avez-vous? (avvay-voo) = have you? the s of vous no longer-
needs to be sounded, unless again followed by a vowel,
Avez-vous les livres? (avvay-voo lay leavr)^'
Avez-vous uu liVJ:e? {away'VOGsuiih leavr),.
•SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 15
Sentences to he Learnt.
Je SUis (sher swee) = I am.
Savez-vcus? (saway-voo) = do you know?
Combien de (komhienlt) = how many?
J'ai froid (zhay frwar) - I am cold.
J'ai chaud {shay show) = I am warm.
J'ai faim {zhay fainh) = I am hungiy,
J'ai soif (swarf) = I am thirsty.
J'ai does not mean I am, but I have. In French they
say "I have cold," "I have warmth," "1 have hunger,"
etc.
Dites-lui de venir (deet twee der veneer) - Tell him to
come.
Ou allcz-vous? {oo allay voo) - Where are you going?
Je vais a la ville {zher vayzar lar veel) = I am going to the
town.
Ou est la ville? (oo a lar veel) = Where is the town?
Par la (par lar) = over there.
Mais (may) = but.
Ouvert, e (oovair, oovairt) = open.
Fenne, e (fairmay) = shut.
Le jardin (zhardinh) = garden.
Le champ (shanh) = field.
PKESENT TENSE OF VEKB AVOIR (AVVWAE) = TO
HAVE.
J'ai (zhay) - I have.
Tu as (tii ar) = Thou hast.
II a (eel ar) = He has.
Elle a (ell ar) - She has.
Nous avons (noozavvonh) = We have.
Vous avez (voosavvay) = You have.
16 soldiers' spoken FRENCH
Us ont (eelzonh) = They have.
EUes ont {ellzonh) ) = They have, f .
Exercise 7.
1. J'ai une grande fenetre et une petite porte. 2. II a
faim et elle a soif. 3. J'ai froid et j'ai faim. 4. II a soif
et elle a chaud. 5. Avez-vous un encrier noir? 6. Non, j'ai
une table brune. 7. Je suis dans le jardin. 8. La porte est
ouverte et la fenetre est ferm^e.
Exercise 8.
Conversation betvs^een two or more students.
A. Avez-vous froid?
B. Non, j'ai chaud.
A. Avons-nous faim?
B. Non, nous avons soif.
A. Avez-vous soif?
B. Non, j'ai faim; and so on.
VERB ETRE {AITR) = TO BE.
Present Tense.
Je suis {zTier swee) - I am.
Tu es {til a) = Thou art
II est {eel a) = He is.
Nous sommes {noo somm) = We are.
Vdus etes (voozait) = You arc.
lis sont {eel sonh) = They are.
Devant {devvanh) = before, in front of.
Exercise 9.
1. Je suis ici. 2. Nous sommes grands. 3. II est petit.
4. Elle est petite. 5. Vous etes ici. 6. Us sont bleus. 7. Elles
sont froides. 8. Vous etes dans le champ et nous sommes
dans le jardin. 9. Us sont devant la chemin^e chaude.,
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN FEENCH 17
LESSON III,
Verbs,
To commence, the exercise "J'ai pense i quelqne chose'*
of Lesson 11. should be frequently repeated, mth additional
words learnt subsequently. The student should become able
to speak the sentences without a moment's hesitation.
In asking questions with verbs, the verb and pronoun
are reversed, as in English.
Ai-je (ayzhe) = have If
As-tu? (ar tii) - hast thou?
A-t-il? [orieel) - has he? (notice the t inserted).
A-t-elle? (artell) = has she?
Avons-nous? (avvonh noo) - have we?
Avez-vous? (avvay-voo) = have you?
Ont-ils? (onhteel) = have they?
Ont-elles? {onntell)'- have they, f.t
Vu ivii) - seen.
Exercise 10. (To read or speak.)
1. Ai-je Tencrier? 2. Oui, vous avez I'encrier et la plume.
3. A-t-il vu le charbon? 4. II a vu le charbon et le bois.
5. Avons-nous les lettres? 6. Les lettres et les iivres sont
sur la table. 7. A-t-elle vu la chaise? 8. EUe a vu la chaise
et le bureau dans la chambre.
Exercise 11. (Spoken.)
Practise with all the nouns you know:
J*ai la maison.
Tu as le livre. etc.
Then—
Ai-je I'encrier?
As-tu le bureau?
18 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
A-t-il la maison?
Avons-nous la table?
Avez-vous les livres?
Ont-ils les rideaux?, etc.
The negative not consists of^ two words, ne and pasy
ne comes before the verb, and becomes n* before a vowel,
and pas is placed after the verb.
Je n'ai pas (isher nay par) - I have not.
Tu n'as pas {tu nar par) zz thou has not.
H n'a pas {eel nar par) - he has not.
Nous n'avons pas {noo navvonh par) = we have not.
Vous n'avez pas {voo naway par) - you have not.
lis n'ont pas {eel nonh par) = they have not.
Also,
N'ai-je pas? {nayje par) = have I not?
N*as-tu pas? {nartii par) = hast thou not?
N'a-t-il pas? {narteel par) - iias he not?
N'avons-nous pas? (navvonh noo par) = have we not?
N' avez-vous pas? (naway voo par) = have you not?
N'ont-ils pas? (nonhteel par) = have they not?
Exercise 12.
1. Avez-vous le charbon, madame? 2. Non, je n'ai pas le
charbon, monsieur, mais il a le bois. 3. A-t-il pense a la
chaise? 4. Non, mais il a pense a la fenetre. 5. N'avons--
nous pas I'encre noire? 6. Oui, vous avez I'encre et I'encrier.
7. H n'a pas faim mais il a soif. 8. N 'avez-vous pas froid?
9. Non, nous n'avons pas froid, nous avons chaud. 10. N 'ont-
ils pas pens^ a quelquc chose?
SOLDIERS^ SPOKEN FRENCH 19
Exercise 13. (Conversation.)
Much repetition without the book is necessai^ here.
Pirst repeat —
^'J'aiiaporte."
<<Tu as la maison,'* etc., as many words as can be
remembered.
Then —
"Ai-je l8 bureau?'*
♦*As-tu la cheminee?'*, etc.
Then—
"Je n'ai pas la table.*'
•*Tu n'as pasle bois," etc.
Also —
**N'ai-je pas le store?" etc.
As a variation an adjective can be put into each sentence
^s
"J'ai la giande porte."
"Je n'ai pas Tencrier noir,** etc.
It is good practice for the student to find his own words
and use them himself.
Exercise 14.
(By teacher or student without book.)
1. .J'ai une grande maison. 2. II a un encrier noir.
3. Nous avons un mur bleu. 4. Vous n'avez pas un jardin
vert. 5. Avez-vous un mur chaud? 6. Non, je n'ai pas un
mur chaud. 7. J'ai un petit jardin. 8. A-t-il un encrier
pleinf 9. Nous n 'avons pas une porte forte. 10. Ont-ils des
cheminees chaudesT
20 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FEENCH
Sentences to Learn.
J'ai besoin de (zhay beswanh der) = I want (something).
Parlez-vous frangais? (parlay-voo fransay) - Do you
«peak French.?
Je suis malade {zher swee malard) - I am ill.
Je suis blesse {zher swee hlessay) - I am wounded.
Puis-je passer par-ici? {piveezh passay pareesee) - May I
go through here?
Puis-je aller par la {pweczh allay par lar) = May I go that
way?
n faut (eel fo) - One must (I must, you must, etc.).
A droite {ar drwart) = on the right.
A gauche {ar gosch) - on the left.
Tout droit {too drwar) = straight on.
C'est dommage {say dommarzlie) = it is a pity.
Et puis {ay pioee) «= and then.
Pour {poor) - for, to, in order to.
Tres {tray) = very.
Ce, m. {ser) = this, that.
Cette, /. {sett) = this, that.
Ces {say) = these, those.
Alors {allor) - then.
Que voulez-vous? {ker voolay voo) = What do you want?
Exercise 15. (To read or hear spoken.)
Bon jour, madame. Bonjour, monsieur, comment allez-vous?
*Pas tres bien, merci, madame, je suis fatigue, et j 'ai f aim
et solf. Alors que voulez-vous? Voici du bon pain, et de la
viande. Donnez-moi de I'eau, s'il vous plait. Mais certaine-
ment, voila de I'cau, monsieur. Merci bien, je suis malade.
* Pas can be used without ne when there is no verb.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN' FRENCH 21
C'est dommage, venez dans la maison. *Merci, puis-je passer
par ici? Non, ailez tout droit. Puis-je aller par la?
Certainement. Au revoir.
*"Merci" by itself means "No, thank you,'' so in
accepting anything, one has to say "oui, merci, " or "oui
s*il vous plait."
Exercise 16. (Spoken).
Mention all the objects in the room, and put before them
the words ce, cette, or ces, as —
Cette lettre.
Cette porte.
Ce plafond.
Ce plancher, etc.
K.B. Ce "becomes cet before a masc word beginning with a vowel orb
mute, as
Cet encrier (m,), but
Cette encre (encre being fern.).
Other words which change before a vowel or h mute are
the adjectives beau {ho) - fine, handsome; nouveau {noovo) a
new, fresh; mou {moo) - soft, and vieux {vee-er) = old.
There is a second masc. form to these words used thus: —
Beau {bo) bel {del) mas. belle, fem.
^ouveau {noovo) nouvel {noovel) ra. nouvelle, f. = new.
Mou {moo) mol {moll) m. MoUe, f. = soft.
Vieux {vee-er) vieil {vee-ay) m. vieille {vee-ay) f. = old.
<^Le bel homme"; but "rhomme est beau," etc.
Cardinal Numerals.
Un, line {anJi, iin) = one.
Deux {der) = two.
Trois {tTwar) = three.
22 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Quatre (Jcatr) - four.
Cinq (sairnk) = five.
Six (seess) = six.
Sept (sett) - seven.
Huit \weet) - eight.
Neuf {nerf) = nine.
Dix (deess) - ten.
Exercise 17. (Spoken).
A. Avez-vous un jardin?
B. Non, mais j'ai deux maisons, etc.
Suis-je? (sweezh) = Am I?
Es-tu? (a tit) = art thou?
Est-il? (ait eel) = is he?
Sommes-nous? (somm-noo) = Are wet
Etes-vcus? (ait voo) = are you?
Sont-ils? (sonhteel) = are they?
Eepeat
Je ne suis pas, etc. = I am not.
Also,
Ne siiis-je pas? etc. = Am I not?
Exercise 18.
1 Suis-je dans un jardin? 2. Non, vous etes dans le
champ. 3. Etes vous Fran^ais? 4. Non, monsieur, je suis
Anglais. 5. N'etes-vous pas malade? 6. Non, madame,
mais je suis tres fatigue. 7. Alors voici de la bonne viande
et du bon vin. 8. Voiei cinq livres et. trois plumes 9. Ces
encriers ne sont pas pleina et cette encre n'est pas noire.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
LESSOxM IV.
La guerre (gair) = the vrar.
Le crayon (krayanh) = the pencil.
Le papier (pap-Tjay) - the paper.
Le verre {vair) - the glass.
La tasse (tass) = the cup.
L'assiette, /. (ass-yett) - the plate.
La montre (monlitr) - the watch.
L'ami {ammee) - the friend.
Le chiea (shceanh) = the dog.
La femme (famm) = the woman,
Le soldat (soldar) = the soldier.
L'homme (h mute) (lomm) - the man.
La mitrailleuse (mittrl-yerze) = The machine-gun.
Ou (oo) = where?
Ici (eesee) = here.
Avec (avveh) = with.
Votre (voir) = your.
Mot (mwar) = me.
Onze (oarnhze) - eleven.
Douze (dooz) - twelve.
Treize (trays) - thirteen.
*Quartorze {Icatorz) - fourteeh.
*Quiiize {Jcai(r))iliz) = fifteen.
"Qu is pronounced like English k.
Seize (says) = sixteen.
Dix-sept (deessett) = seventeen.
Bix-huit (deez-weet) = eighteen.
Dix-neuf (deez-nerf) = nineteen,
Vingt (vinh) = twenty.
Voici la dame = Here is the lady.
La dame est ici = The lady is here*
24 SOIiDIEES* SPOKEN TRENCH
Exercise 19. (To translate orally.)
1. Where is the gentleman? 2. He is in the garden.
3. Where is the lady? 4. She is in the house. 5. Where is
the dog? 6. The dog is here. 7. I have a house and a garden.
8. Here is the gentleman with the lady. 9.- The man is here
with the woman. 10. Where is he?
Repeat in French—
''Where is the house?*'
'*The house is here.
"Here is the house/-
And so on with every noun you have learnt.
Also repeat ' ' The house is here with the garden, ' ' and sO
on with every two words you have learnt.
Est-ce {ayes) = is it?
Est-ce que c'est {ayce-ker say) =: is it? (lit. is it that it is?)
By putting * ' est-pe q.ue ' ' before a statement it is turned
into a question; as,
J'al = I have— est-ce quej'ai? = have I?
Vous avez = you have — est-ce que vous avez? = have you?
and so on with any statement.
Exetcise 20, ^thout l)ook.
1. Eepeat the Present Tense of the verb to have, turning
it into questions, as above.
2. Do the same with the Present Tense of to be, as
Est-ce que je suis? = Am I?
^3. A. Est-ce que je suls vieux?
B. Non, vous etes jeune,
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH 25
A. Est-ce que vous avez du pain?
B. Non, j'ai des biscuits.
A. Est-ce qu'il a vu la mitrailleuse 1
And so on.
Exercise 21.
1. The dog is black. 2. The machine-guns are small.
3. I have seen two dogs, and that gentleman has seen three
dogs. 4. You have fifteen chairs in your room. 5. Have they
a brown table? 6. Is it here? 7. Yes, it is here in the house.
8. There are seventeen soldiers in that house. 9. Do you
know where are the five books? 10. Is he not in the garden
with the seven soldiers?
To Learn.
Mangeons {manjizlionli) Miletus eat.
Regardez (rergarday) -n look at.
Meilleur, e {may-yeur) - better.
Le meme (maim) la meme, les memes = the same.
Souvent (soovenh) = often.
Euvons (biivonh) = let us drink.
Exercise 22.
1. Nous avous faim, mangeons des biscuits. 2. Nous
avons soif, buvons de I'eau. 3. Venez ici et regardez cette
jolie m-aison. 4. Le pain est meilleur que les biscuits,
5. Venez ici et regardez la mitrailleuse; depechez-vous.
6. Ou sont l6s soldats Anglais? 7. lis sont a la guerre. 8. H
faut aller a droite. 9. Ces maisons sont souvent tr^s jolies.
10. Neuf assiettes sont souvent sur la table.
26 SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH
Exercise 23. (Spoken.)
Mention all tlie nouns you can remember, and all tlie
adjectives you can put with them, thus:
Ce livre est souvent sur la tal)le.
Ces rideaux sont souvent tres jolis.
Ce tableau est souvent ....,..,►»•
Ces murs
Ces f enetres
Cette table, etc., etc.
To Learn.
Tout de suite, (toot d' sweet) = immediately, at once
N'irnporte, (namhport) - It does not matter.
Commencez, Qcomonlisay) = begin.
Tois, (fivar) = time.
Une fois, (wn fwar) = once.
Deux fois, = twice.
Trois fois, = three times.
Dix fois, = ten times.
And so on.
Perdu (pairdil) = lost.
Le regiment {rezlieemonli) = regiment.
Lieutenant Qitrt'nonh) - lieutenant.
Capitaine Qcappeetain) - captain.
Colonel Qcolonel, ail syllables sounded) = colonel.
General {zl\aynayral, all syllables sounded) = general.
*Combien de fois? ('kom'bienh de fwar) = How often?
Le dejeuner (dayzhernay) = breakfast.
Le diner (deenay) = dinner.
Le souper (soopay) = supper.
* See Pronunciation, page 7,
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCS 27
Exercise 24.
1. Commencez votre dejeuner. 2. J 'ai perdu ma tasse.
3. X'importe, voici un verre. 4. Le lieutenant a perdu le
regiment deux fois. 5. Ou est le dejeuner aujourd'hui?
6. Perdu. 7. C^est dommage, j 'ai faim. 8. N'importe, voici
le diner tout de suite. 9. Mangeons ces biscuits et buvona
Tjette eau, 10. Le Colonel et le General sont a la guerre.
11. Eegardez, la porta est fermee! 12. N'importe, la fenetre
est ouverte.
LESSON V.
All. m. (o); a la, f.; a 1'; aux, pi. (o) = to the.
Au jardin = to the garden.
A la dame = to the lady,
A r homme (ar lomni) = to the man.
Aux femmes = to the women.
Penser (ponhsay) = to think, is followed by a, which
really means to. Thus literally '•' J'ai pense a quelque chose,"
means **I have thought to something."
J'ai pense a la dame = I have thought of the lady.
Tu as pense au jardin = Thou hast thought of the garden.
II a pense a I'homme = He has thought of the man.
Nous avons pense aux maisons = We have thought of tha
houses.
Exercise 25. (To Speak).
To the door, to the house, to the wall, to the garden, to
the -window, to the ceiling, to the floor, to the mantelpiece,
to the soldiers, to the trees, to the towns, to the rooms, to
the doors, to the gentlemen.
28 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Exercise 26.
Think of all the nouns in the room, and speak them aloud,
putting au, a la, a r, or aux before them, as required.
Then think of any other nouns that' you have learnt, and
do likewise, such as
"Au pain,'' "a la maison,'' *'a I'encrier, " "aux
hommes,'' "aux fenetres.''
Dernier, m. {dairneay) demiere (dairneair) = last.
Ma.ngez (manhzhay) = Eat.
Buvez (huvay) = Drink.
Vous devez (devay) = You ought.
En Prance (07ih Franhss) = In or to France.
En Angleterre {onOngleriair) = In or to England.
II est parti {eel ay partee) = He has departed, gone.
Quand? (Iconh) = When?
Deja (dayzhar) = Already.
Quoi? (Icwar) = What?
A quoi avez-vous pense? Of what have you thought?
Sortir {sorteer) = To go out.
Exercise 27. (To Speak).
A. A quoi avez-vous pense?
B. J'ai pense a la porte.
A. A quoi avez-vous pense?
B J'ai pense au plancher; and so on with 12 words.
To Learn.
Aujourd'hui {o-zlioor~dwee) = To-day.
Demain (dermanh) = To-morrow
Hier (ee-air) = Yesterday
Savez-vous? {savvey-voo) = Do you know?^
SOLDIERS* SPOKEM FRENCH 29
Qui va la Qcey var lar) = Who goes there?
Quelle heure est-il (kel leur aiteel) - What time is it?
II est une heure {eel ait iin eur) = it is one o'clock.
II est deux heures et demie (eel au ders eur oy d'mee) =
it is half-past two.
II est quatre heures moins quart (eel ay Tcatr eur moynh
Tear) = it is a quarter to three.
II est quatre heures moins vingt (eel ay Jcatr eur moynh
vernli) - it is twenty minutes to four.
II est cinq heures vingt {eel ay sairnk eur vinh) = it is
twenty past five.
II est midi (eel ay meedee) = it is twelve noon.
n est minuit (meenwee) = it is twelve midnight.
Exercise 28. (Read or Speak).
1. Quelle heure est-il? 2. II est neuf heures. 3. Quelle
heure est-il? 4. II est dix heures et demie. 5. Quelle heure
est-il? 6. II est onze heures moins vingt. 7. II est deux
heures moins dix. 8. II est trois heures dix minutes. 9. H
est une heure. 10. II est huit heures et quart. 11. II est
sept heures moins quart. 3 2. II est minuit.
To Learn.
Cette nuit (sett nwee)- to-night.
La semaine demiere (sermayn dairneair) = last week.
La semaine prochaine (sermayn proshayn) = Next ri'cek.
Une annee (a7\nay) = A year.
Un mois (mwar) = a month.
tine semaine (sermayn) = A week.
Un jour (zJioor) = A day,
Une heure (eur) = An hour..
so soldiers' ;SP0KEN FRENCH
Janvier {^honhveeay) =; JaiTuary.
Pevrier (fevreeay) = February.
Mars (viarss) = March.
Avril {avreel) = April.
Mai (7nay) = May.
Juin (zhwenli) = June.
Juiilet (zhii-yay) = July
Aout (oo) = August.
Septembre {seytonhlr) = September.
October (ohtdhr) = October.
Novembre {novonlihr) - November.
Decembre {daysonlibr) = December.
Premier (premmeay) premiere, (premmeair) = JPirst.
Je suis perdu {pairdii) = I am lost.
Qui etes-vous? {Icey ait voo) = Who are you?
Je suis Anglais {Onglay) = I am English.
Etes-vous Prancais? (Fronhsay) = Are you French?
Nous sommes Allies (alleeay) = We are Allies.
I»e regiment {re^lieemonh) - The regiment.
Exercise 29.
1. Quelle heure est-il? 2. II est huit heures. 3. H est
eept heures et demie. 4. Non, il est deja huit heures moins
quart. 5. Qui etes-vous? 6. Je suis Anglais et je suis perdu.
7. Alors venez ici et passez par la. 8. Savez-vous cu voug
§tes? Je suis avec des amis. 9. C'est vrai, comment allez-
vous? 10. Avez-vous faim et soif? 11. Non, mais je suis
fatigue. 12. Depechez-vous et apportez-moi la viande, les
(Euf s, le pain et le lait, s 'il vous plait.
Du, m. {du) ; de la, f . {der lar) ; de P, and des, pi. (day) =
Some.
Du pain = Some bread.
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN PEENCH 31
Da la vlande = Some meat. Le sel (sell) = Salt.
De reau = Some water. Le poivre (pwarvr) = Pepper.
Des (Bufs = Some eggs. La moutarde (mootard)
Ls lait (lay) = Milk. = Mustard,
Le Sucre (silkr) - Sugar. La pomme de terre = Potato.
Le Tin (vanh) = Wine. Le poissoa (pwarsorih)
L'oeuf (erf) = Egg. = The fish.
Lss (BUfs (laiz-er) - Eggs Le miel (m'yell) = honey.
(f not sounded in plur.). Les fraises (frayse^ = straw-
Le cafe (haffay) = Coffee. berries.
Lo the (tay) - Tea. Les groseilles (grow-zay) =
Le beurre (burr) = Butter, currants or gooseberries,
Esercise 30. (rrom Memory).
Some bread, some milk, some sugar, some water, some
vine, some meat, some eggs, some coffee, some tea, some
butter, .some men, some dogs, some machine guns, some
soldiers, some ink, some windows. And so on with all the
nouns 70U can remember
Du, de la, des, also mean "of the.'*
Du jardin = Of the garden.
De I'ami = Of the friend.
DcB hommes = Of the men.
De la femme = Of the woman.
These words form the possessive case in French, as
Le livre de la dame = The lady's hook (lit. the book of
the lady).
Le chien du monsieur = The gentleman's dog
La femme de raiiii = The friend's wife.
Les maisons des hommes = The men's houses.
Pour aller (poor allay) = In order to go.
32 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Exercise 31. (To Translate and Hear).
Bonjour, mon ami.* Asseyez-vous ici. Comment allez-vousf
Tres bien merci, mon cher, et vous? Je suis malade. C'est
dommage. Est-ce que vous avez faim? Non, mais donnez^
moi du vin, s'il vous plait. Certainement, vous avez soif,
n 'est-ce pas? Voici du bon vin. Merci. Venez ici, mon ami,
et asseyez-vous 1^. Voila deux soldats anglais. lis sont
blesses. Savez-vous combien de soldats sont blesses? Je ne
sais pas. Voila Smith. Dites-lui de venir ici. H va deja a
la ville. Elle est par la. Puis-je passer par ici? Certaine-
ment, allez a gauche, et puis, a droite. II f aut passer par ici
pour aller a la ville.
*" Mon ami" or "mon vieux" stands for tho familiar ' old man " ioi
which friends address each other in Knglish.
LESSON VI.
To Learn.
Beaucoup de (bokoo dcr) - Much, many.
Plus de {'plii der) = More.
Assez de (assay der) = Enough.
Trop de (tro der) = Too many, too much.
Sur (siir) On, upon.
PEESENT TENSES of
1. Voir (vwar) = To see.
Je vols (vwa) = I see.
Nous voyons (vicoijonh) = We see.
Vous voyez (vwoyay) - You see.
2. Donner (donnay) = to give.
Je donne (donn) = I give.
Nous donnons (donnonh) = We give.
Vous donnez {donnay) = You give.
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN PRENCff 33
3. Dire (deer) = to say.
Je dls (dee) = I say.
Nous disons {deezonh) = we say.
Vous dites {deet) - you say.
lis dis(ent) {dees) - they say.
(The ent of the 3rd person, pi. of verbs is not sounded,
as in ''Hs dis(ent)'\)
Where the other persons of the verbs are not given, in
the above tenses, they are sounded, though not syelt the same
8s the first person.
4. Venir {vernieer) = to come.
Je viens* (vienh) = I come.
Nous venons (vennonh) = we come.
Vous venez {vennay) - you come,
lis viennent (vienn) = they come.
5. Parler (parlay) = to speak.
Je parle (pari) - I speak.
Nous parlons (parlonh) = we speak.
Vous parlez (parlay) - you speak.
N'est-cG-pas? (nayce par) - Don't you? Isn't it? Are ther^
not? Has he not? etc., etc.
This phrase is used as a question after any affirmative
sentence, as
"lis disent, n*est-ce pas?" = They say, do they not?
"Je viens, n'est-ce pas?" = I am coming, am I not?
"n est la, n'est ce pas?" = He is there, is he not?
"Vous voyez rhomme, n'est-ce pas?" = You see the man^
do you not?
• See Pronunciation, page 7, O
84 soldiers' spoken French
Voyez-vous? = Do you see? (There is no word for **do''
in French, and "voyez-vous" means literally "see you?"
Aimez-vous? (aymay-voo) = Do you like, or love?
Savez-vous? (savvay-voo) = Do you know?
Croyez-vous? {Icroyyay-voo) = Do you think?
Exercise 32. (Prom Memory).
1. Good morning, old man, how are you? 2. Very well,
thank you. 3. Do you know where is the bread? 4. No,
but here is the meat. 5. What time is it? 6. It is four
o 'clock. 7. I am hungry and cold. 8. I am thirsty, give me
some water. 9. I am English, and you are French. 10. We
are Allies. 11. Here are some coffee, my friend, some milk,
and some sugar. 12. Give me also some eggs if you please.
13. Get up and see the good coffee and the good milk.
14. Have you any tea? 15. Yes, there are tea, coffee, wine,
and meat in the house.
Exercise 33. (Conversation, to Eepeat Quickly).
A. You are hungry, are you not? {ji'est-ce pas'i)
B. You are thirsty, are you not?
C. You are cold, are you not?
D. You are warm, are you not?
A. He is hungry, is he not? {n*est-ce pa$^)
B. He is thirsty, is he not?
Ci He is cold, is he not?
D. He is warm, is he not?
A. Is he hungry? {a-t-il faiml)
B. Is he thirsty?
C. Is he cold?
3). Is he warm?
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 35
A. He is not hungry (II n'a pas, etc.)
B. He is not thirsty.
C. He is not cold.
D. He is not warm.
In like manner, "Are you hungry, thirsty, cold, warmf
We are hungry, are we not?, etc.
They are hungry, arc they not?, etc., and so on.
n y a (eel ee ar) - There is, (or are).
Hn'y a pas de (eel nee ar par der) = There is, (or are) not.
Levez-vous (levvay-voo) = get up.
Asseyez-vous (assayay voo) = sit down.
Exercise 34.
Eepeat all the words in Lesson V. from ''bread'' to
"butter," with "il y a," and -'il n'y a pas de," as
II y a du pain.
H n'y a pas de pain," and so on.
Eepeat with "il y a" and the numerals from 1 to 20
all the nouns you can remember. Also the same with "il n'y
a pas de."
As "II y a deux maisons."
*'I1 y a trois portcs, " etc.
"II n'y a pas quatre murs."
"II n'y a pas cinq encriers, " etc.
N.B. Note: "II n'y a pas de murs." But "II u'y a pas quatre murs
vrithout de, because of the numeral).
REPETITION FEOM LESSON 1.
Without the book, pick out all the articles in the room of
which you know the names. With your teacher or fellow-
student converse in this way:: —
A. J'ai pens4 ^ qnel^ue chose.
%Q SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
B. Est-ce dans la chambre?
A. Oui, c'est dans la chambre.
B. Est-ce le planclier blanc?
A. Non, ce n'est pas le planchcr blanc.
B. Est-ce la table brune?
A. Non, ce n 'est pas la table brune.
B. Est-ce le store vert?
A. Non, ce n 'est pas le store vert.
And so on, until the word is guessed, when A. and B.
change places. Also, a guess can be made at things outside
the room.
Esercise 35 (in Question and Answer).
A. Combien de chaises y a-t-il dans la chambre?
B. n y a six chaises dans cette chambre.
A. Combien de tableaux y a-t-il sur les murs?
B, n y a neuf tableaux sur les murs.
A. Combien de tables y a-t-il dans cette chambre?
3B. H y a trois tables dans la chambre.
A. Combien de bureaux, f enetres, murs, livres, portes, etc.
To vary it—
A. Combien d'oeufs y a-t-il dans la chambre?
B. H n'y a pas d'ceufs dans la chambre.
Similar questions can be asked with plumes, encriers,
chiens, hommes, f emmes, dames, amis, choses, crayons, etc.
It cajmot be too firmly impressed upon tlie student's
mind that frequent repetition even of words already known
gives fluency asd f adUty in rapid speaking.
soldiers' spoken rEENca ZT
LESSON vn.
Pronouns.
With the verbs, you have learnt—
Je = I. Nous = we.
Tu = thou. Vous = you.
H = he. Us = they.
EUe = she. Elles = they f.
There are also other forms, as —
Me (mer) = me. Nous = us.
Te (ter) = thee. Vous = you.
Le (ler) = him. Les = them.
La = her.
These pronouns all come before the verbs in French, and
not, as in English, one before and one after.
Je te vols (zher ter vwa) = I see thee (lit. I thee see),
Je le vols = I see Mm.
Je la vols = I see her.
Je vous vols = I see you.
Je les vols = I see tkem.
Nothing but frequent repetition will make this change
of position of pronoun familiar to the student.
Ezercise 36.
1. Je vous vois. 2. Nous vous voyons. 3. Je la vols.
4. Nous la voyons. 5. Je les vois. 6. Vous les voyez
7. Nous vous voyons. 8. Vous nous voyez. 9. II me
voit. 10. Je le vois. 11. Je Pai. 12. n Ta. 13. Nous
Tavons. 14. Vous I'avez. 15. Je le donne. 16. Nous vous
avons. 17. H le donne. 18. Nous le disons. 19. Nous U
voyons. 20. Est-ce que je I'ait
370068
38 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCfi
Exercise 37. (To Hear or Write).
1. Je vols quatre oeufs dans la maison du monsieur.
2. Bonjour, men ami, savez-vous ou nous sommes? 3. Voua
etes dans le grand jardin du marchand de vins. 4. Comment
allez-vcus aujourd'hui? 5. J'ai faim et j^ai soif, et je suis
tres fatigue. 6. Qui sait o'^ sent le pain et le laitf 7. H y
en a dans la grande maison de la dame. 8. Levez-voua et
voyez le bon cafe et la bonne viande. 9. Nous avona soif
et faim, et nous sommes trSs fatigues. 10. L'homme et 1©
chien sent avee votre ami. 11. Qui va lit?
To Learn.
Le gateau (garto) = cake.
La mere (mair) = tlie mother.
Le paquet (palcay) = the parcel.
Le chocolat (sJiolcGlar) = the chocolate.
Les cliaussettes (shossett) = the socks.
Le savon (savvovJi) = the soap.
Les cigarettes (seegarett) = the cigarettes.
Le camarade Qcamarard) - the comrade.
Le frere (fraer) = the brother.
Le matin (mattinh) = the morning.
Le soir {swar) = the evening.
Dieu (D'yer) = God.
La tranchee (tranJisliay) = the trench.
Le journal {zlioornall) - the newspaper.
Les journaux {zhoorno) = the newspapers.
La pluie (plwee) = the rain.
La boue (hooh) = the mud.
Le tableau {tablo) = the picture.
SOLDIEES' SPOKSN FEENCH
Z9
In rrench the Possessive Adjective, *'mj," ^'thy," etc.,
agrees only with tlie noun possessed, and not, as in English,
with the possessor.
Singuli
ar.
Plural.
Mon m. (monh)
Ton m. (tonh)
Bourn, {sonh)
ma f. (77iar)
ta f. (tar)
sa f. (sar)
mes (may) = My.
tes (tay) = Thy.
ses (say) = his, her, its*
Notre m. (notr)
Votre m. (voir)
Leur m. (lerr)
notre f.
votre f.
ieur, f .
nos (no) = our.
vos (vo) = your.
leurs = their.
Mon livre = my book.
Ma plume = my pen.
Mes amis (maisammi)
- my friends.
son livre = his or her book,
sa plume = his or her pen.
ses amis = his or her friends.
Words ending in au and eau take x in plural.
Les tableaux (tablo) = the pictures..
Les bureaux (huro) = the desks,
lies eaux (laisd) - the waters.
Sentences to Iieara.
Je ne vous comprends pas (zTier ner voo Tcompronh par) s
I do not understand you.
Les soldats viennent (lay soldar vienii) = the soldiers are
coming.
Ou voulez-vous aller? (oo voulay voozallcy) = Where do
fou wish to go?
Qui etes-vous? (key ait voo) = Who are you?
40 SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH .
Quel est votre regiment? {kel ay voir rezheemonh) - What
is your regiment?
Mon numero est (monk niimairo ay) - My number is
Nous voulons quelque cHose ^ manger {Noo voidonh Tcelker-
shows ar manlizhay) = We want something to eat.
Exercise 38. (To Hear and Translate).
1. Je le vois dans le champ avec I'homme. 2. Ou est la
dame? 3. Je la vois dans la chambre avec les deux chiens
bruns. 4. Vous vois-je dans la maison? 5. Combien d'ceufs y
a-t-il sur la table? 6. Oil sont les enfants? 7. Avez-vous les
assiettes? 8. Je les ai dans la chambre. 9. Ou est le pain!
10. Je Pai aussi. 11. Nous ne le voyons pas. 12. Ou est la
plume? 13. La voyez-vous? 14. Asseyez-vous, et voyez la
couleur de ces chaises. 15. J'ai faim et j'ai soif, mais je
n'ai pas froid. 16. II a froid et il a faim, mais il n'a pas
soif. 17. Vous avez froid et soif, mais vous n'avez pas faim.
NOTES ON PRONUNCIATION AND CONVERSATION.
Since the sound of words is so different from their appear-
ance when written, the student should take every
opportunity possible of hearing another speak, and of trying
to understand. People who go to France imagining them-
selves excellent scholars of the language, often find them-
selves quite unable to understand a word, because they have
learnt the language all by sight, and nothing by ear.
Many words sound the same, but mean something, quite
different, according to the context. For example "je les"
bounds exactly the same as "je I'ai.'' It is only the
soldiers' spoken feench 41
remainder of the sentence that will make the meaning clear:
"Jeles vols'' = I see them. ''Je rai"=I have it.
The words le la les cause some confusion, as they are
sometimes articles and sometimes pronouns. If the following
rule is remembered, however, trouble will be saved.
Le la les are articles when placed before nouns, and are
pronouns when placed before verbs.
Le journal = The newspaper.
Je le vols = I see him.
J, and soft G, of identical sound in French, are never
pronounced with the d sound like the English *'just" and
'* general." The sound is spelt ^'zh" in the phonetics in this
book.
"Journal" (zhoornal) = newspaper.
^^Genou" {shernoo) = knee.
LESSON VIII
To Learn.
la route {root) = the way.
Le cheval {sh'vall) = the horse, pi. chevaux {sh*v6)»
Le gaz {garz) = the gas.
Les respirateurs (respeerarterr) = respirators.
Les boches (bosh) = the Huns.
L'ennemi (ennmee) = the enemy.
Les tirailleurs (teer-t-yeur) = the sharpshooters.
La main (manh) = the hand.
La tete (tait) = head.
Le corps (kor) = body.
Le fromage (fromarzhe) = cheese.
42 soldiers' spoken FRENCH
Jjes fruits (frwee) - fruit (pi. in French)
Les raisins (rayzinh) - grapes.
XJne allumette (alumet) = match.
lies hagages {bagarzhe) - luggage.
Le fusil {fuzee) = rifle.
Un ohus {ohiis) - shell.
Xe revolver (revolvair) = revolver.
Derri^re (derryair) = behind.
Maintenant {manht'nanh) = now.
Eendre (ranMr) - to give back.
Sentences.
Je vals chercher le medecin {zher vay shairshay ler
med'sinh) = I am going to fetch the doctor.
Ou mene cette route? (^oo mane sett root) = Where does
tthis toad lead?
Nous cherchons la ville de {noo shairshonh lar veel der) =:
We are looking for the town of.
Bestez ici {restayzeesee) = Stay here.
Kegardez (rergarday) = Look at.
Buvez (biivay) = drink.
Dites-moi (deet mivar) = tell me.
Mangez (manhzhay) = eat.
Pouvez-vous ? (poovay voo) = Can youl
VSBBS.
Regular verbs have four conjugations.
The first ends in er, as aimer (aymay) = to love, like.
The second ends in ir, as finir (finneer) = to finish.
The third ends in oir, as recevoir (ressevwar) = to receive^
The fourth in re, as rompre (ronhpr) = to break.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 43
Present Tense of Aimer.
J'aime {zJiaim) = I love, I like.
Tu aimes {til aim) = thou lovest.
H aime {eel aim) = lie loves.
Nous aimons {noozaymonh) = vre love.
Vous aimez {voozaymay) = you love.
Us aini(ent) {eelzaym) - they love.
Present Tense of finir.
Je finis {feenee) = I finish.
Tu finis {feenee) = thou finishest.
H finit {feenee) = he finishes.
Nous finissons {feeneessonh) = we finish.
Vous finissez {feeneessay) = you finish.
Ilsfiniss(ent) {feeneess) = they finish.
Present Tense of recevoir.
Je regois {rerswar) = I receive.
Tu recois {rerswar) = thou receivest.
II regoit {rerswar) = he receives.
Nous recevons {ressevonh) = we receive.
Vous recevez {ressevay) = you receive.
Us re9oiv(ent) {resswarv) = they receivOo
Present Tense of rompre.
Je romps {ronh) = I break.
Tu romps {ronh) = thou breakest.
II rompt {ronh) = he breaks.
Nous rompons {ronhponh) = we break.
Vous rompez {ronhpay) = you break,
lis romp(ent) {ronhp) = they break.
44 soldiers' spoken French
Present Tense of aller (allay) = to go. (Irregular verb)i
Je vais '{vay) = I go, am going.
Tu vas (var) = .Thou goest.
II va (var) - He goes.
Nous aliens {noozallonh) = We go.
Vous allez (voozallay) = You go.
lis vont (vonh) = They go.
Present Tense of pouvoir = to be able,
Je puis (pwee) or je peux (pur) =1 can.
Tu peux (pur) = thou canst.
II pent (pur) = he can.
Nous pouvons (poovonh) = we can.
Vous pouvez (poovay) = you can.
lis peuv(eiit) (purv) = they can.
Present Tense of vouloir ± to wish.
Je veux (veur) = 1 wish, want.
Nous voulons (voolonh) = We wish, want.
Vous voulez (voolay) = You wish, want,
lis veul(ent) (verle) = They wish, want.
Exercise 39. (Translate).
1. Je vais voir oil il est. 2, Pouvez-vous aller sur la
route? 3. Depechez-vous, nous pouvons aller maintenant.
4. Levez-vous et allez dans le champ ou vous allez voir les
mitrailleuses. 5. Pouvons-nous marcher jusqu'^ la fermef
6. Non, vous pouvez aller demain. 7. Aujourd'hui vous
allez voir arriver les bagages. 8. Vous avez faim, n'est-ce
pas? 9. Alors mangez de ce bon pain, et buvez de cette eau.
10. Est-ce qu'ils peuvent nous voir icif Non, asseyez-vous
sous cet arbre.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 45
Exercise 40. (Spoken).
Eepeat in Freneli: —
I am going to see {Je vaif voir).
Thou art going to see.
He is going to see.
We are going to see.
You are going to see.
They are going to see.
In like manner: — I am going to say, to write, to walk, to
eat, to finish, to receive, to give back, to be able, to "vvash, etc.
I can see, say, etc.
I am not going to see, say, etc.
(Je ne vais pas voir, je ne vais pas dire, etc.).
I cannot see, say, etc.
(Je ve puis pas voir, je ne puis pas dire, etc.).
Exercise 41. (To hear or write).
1. Je peux voir, 2. Tu vas rendre. 3. II veut aimer.
4. Nous allons recevoir. 5. Vous voulez rendre. 6. Us vont
finir. 7. Je puis vouloir. 8. Tu veux chercher. 9. H va
pouvoir.
Verbs are put close together in French. Vous allez voir
arriver les bagages = You are going to see the luggage
arrive.
Past Participles.
Aime (aymay) = Loved.
Pini (feenee) = Finished.
Ee$u (resw) = Received.
Eendu (ranhdii) s Given baclt.
A116 (allay) = Gone.
46 SOLDIEES' SPOKEN FRENC
Pu (pil) = Been able.
Voulu (voolu) = Wished.
Edit (aykree) = Written.
Vu (vii) = Seen.
Lev6 (levvay) = Kaised.
Eu (it) = Rad.
Ete (ettay) ~ Been.
Assis (assee) = Seated.
Rest§ (resiay) = Eemained.
The Past Tense of verbs is made with the past participle
and an auxiliary verb, either to liave or to be.
Past Tense of aimer.
J'ai aime = I loved or I have loved.
Tu as aime.
II a aim6,
Nous avons aime.
Vous avez aim^.
lis out aime.
Past Tense of finir.
J'ai fini = I finished, or I have finished.
Tu as fini.
II a fini.
Nous avons fini.
Vous avez fini.
lis ont fini.
In like manner —
J*ai recii, etc. = I have received.
J'ai rendu, etc. = I have given back,
J'ai pu, etc. = I have been able.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 47
J'ai voulu, etc. = I have wished.
J'ai 6ciit, etc. = I have written.
J*ai vu, etc. = I have seen.
With verbs of movement, such as aller = to go, arriver =
to arrive, partir = to depart, to "be is used instead of to have.
In the plural the past participle takes s after the verb to be.
Past Tense of aller - to go.
Je suis alle (sweezallay) = I went, I have gone (lit. "I am
gone.")
Tu es all^ (aymllay) = Thou wentest.
n est alI6 (aytallay) - He went.
Nous sommes alles {sommzallay) .
Vous etes alles (aytsallay) = You went.
lis sont alles (sonlitallay) = They went.
Much practice is required for the above tenses.
Sentences to Learn.
Quand etes-vous arrive? {konh tayt voozarreevay) - When
did you arrive? (lit. are you arrived?).
Je suis venu 11 y a deux jours {Zher swee venii eel ee ar der
ehoor) = I came two days ago. (lit. I am come).
n est alle 11 y a ime semaine {Eel ayt allay eel ee ar iin
sermayn) = He went a week ago.
lis sont partis 11 y a trois mols {Eel sonh partee eel ee ar
trwar mwar) = They went away three months ago.
Exercise 42. (To speak or write).
1. I have arrived a week ago. 2. He v/ent away a montH
ago. 3. They came two days ago. 4. They went away three
days ago, etc.
N.B. It is important to make these sentences up yourself, as in
conversation one ought not to depend on the book entirely.
48 soldiers' spoken FRENCH
Tout a rheure {toot ar leur) = Presently, soon.
Encore (anhlcor) = Again.
L'annee prochaine (lannay proshayn) = Next year.
Le mois prochain (ler mwar proshmh) - Next month.
La semaine prochaine {lar sermayn proshayn) = Next week.
The Future Tenses have a place to themselves. If,
however, the student cannot remember the future of a verb,
he can substitute the words *'I am going'* followed by the
Infinitive, as:
Je vais ecrire = I am going to write, for I shall write.
Je vais chercher = I am going to seek.
Je vais aller = I am going (to go).
Je vais voir = I am going to see, etc.,
through the whole tense.
Je vais marcher tout a I'heure = 1 am going to marcb
presently.
Nous allons manger tout k Theure = We are going to eat
presently.
Tu vas partir Tannee prochaine = Thou art going away
next year.
II va a la guerre le mois prochain = He is going to the
war next month.
Nous allons en Angleterre la semaine prochaine =: We are
going to England next week.
Numerals.
21 Vingt-et-un (vinht a unh) 24 Vingt-guatre,
= twenty-one. 25 Vingt-clnq.
22 Vingt-deux (vinh der) 26 Vingt-six.
= twenty-two. 27 Vingt-sept.
23 Vingt-trois. 28 Vingt-huit.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH
49
29
Vingt-neuf.
75
Soizante-quinze.
^0
Trente (tranht).
76
Soixante-seize.
n
Trente-et-un.
77
Soixante dix-sept.
32
Trente-deux, etc.
78
Soixante dix-huit.
iO
Quarante {TcaranM) .
79
Soixante dix-neuf.
50
Cinquante (sinhlcanht) .
80
Quatre-vlngts (Jcatrer
30
Soixante (soissanht)
vmh)
70
Soixante-dix.
81
Quatre-vingt-un, etc., to
'1
Soixairte-et-onze.
90
Quatre-vingt-dix.
r2
Soixante-douze.
91
Quatre-vingt-onze, etc., to
73
Soixante-treize.
100
Cent, (soiih).
^4
Soixante-quatorze.
1000
Mille (mcel).
It will be noticed that the French say ^ ' sixty -ten ' ' for 70;
md ^^sixty-eleven" for 71, etc., that quatre-vingts means
^four twenties," and that 90 is "eighty-ten," and so on
:o 100.
The Ordinal Numerals are very simple. They are chiefly
formed by adding i^me to the cardinal, after dropping a
inal e mute. Cinq adds u, and neuf changes f to v before
idding ihme.
1st Premier (premmeay), TTnieme {une-e-em).
Jnd Second (s'gonh), Deuxieme (ders-e-em).
h-d Troisieme (trwars-e-em) 21st Vingt-et-unieme.
tth Quatrieme. 30th Trentieme.
)th Cinquieme. 40th Quarantieme.
;th Sixieme. 44th Quarante-quatriSme.
)th Neuvleme. 1 00th Centieme.
:1th Onzieme.
Thus, by saying the cardinals, and adding ieme, any
>rdinai numerals can be formed.
Coinage, measures of length, weight, and capacity, ar*
ill decimal in French, making arithmetic much simpler than
n English.
50 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
La moitie {mwarteay) = tlie half.
Les trois quarts (kar) = three quarters.
Une livre et demie {d'mee) = a pound and a half
(weight).
XTn mdtre (length) {maytr) = a metre (about 1yd. Sin.).
Un kilometre (length) (Mllomaytr) = f of a mile.
Un kilogramme (weight) (Mogram) = 2J lbs. .
Un litre (leetr) r If pints. I
Tin franc (fronh) = 100 centimes (senhteem) = lOdi I
English money. I
Tin sou (soo) = 5 centimes = ^d. English money.
The centime is not a coin, but a unit for measuring value.
There are 100 centimes in 1 franc, and 10 centimes go to
make our English penny. If you see marked in shops, an
article costing Ifr. 70 c^ that merely is equivalent to 1 franc
(= lOd. Eng.) + 7d. Eng., making in English money 1/5. The
usual coins in France are the 5 franc, the 2 franc, the 1 f raii.c,
the 50 centimes (= 5d. Eng.), the 25 centimes (= 2|d. Eng.),
and the 10 centime coin, called ' ' piece de deux sous, ' * (piayce *
der der soo) = piece of 2 sous,'* equivalent to an English I
penny. There is also a gold coin of 20 francs, called a louis>
or napoleon.
Exercise 43.
You are in France, and are going shopping, on a search
for food, especially for something different from what yon
have had in the trenches. You enter a small shop, and there
is a woman behind the counter. There is sure to be a woman,
because even before the war women did most of the selling;
but now 1
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 51
You enter, and salute. Every Frenchwoman, no matter
how humble her circumstances, expects to be treated as a
lady, and she, also, will treat you as a gentleman. You
commence by saying: ''Bonjour, Madame.''
Madame: "BoEjour, Monsieur."
You: * * Avez-vous quelque cliose de T)on a manger?' '
Madams: "Mais certainement, monsieur, que voulez-vous?
J'ai de bons raisins, des prunes, des biscuits, du cliocolat."
You: "Avez-vous des ceufs, madame?'*
Madame: "Oui, monsieur, des ceufs tous fraio, du jambon,
des saucisses, des "
You: (wondering all the time what the -words *'frais"
and "saucisses" mean, Madame has the sense to point to a
fine string of sausages near her). "Ah, oui," you exclaim,
delighted at guessing the word. " Saucisses— sausages.
23onn8z-moi deux livres de saucisses, Madame, une livre da
beurre, et une doujzaine d'oeuf s. ' ' Your tastes do not run to
sweet things, but you clutch the sausages, butter, and eggs
delightedly. Madame smiles, but waits relentlessly for the
money.
You: "Combien, Madame, s'il vous plait?"
Madame: "Les saucisses, cinq francs, Monsieur; le beurre,
deux francs cinquante; les ceufs si frais, si frais, *Monsieur
comprend que je ne pourrais les vendre moins que trois francs
la douzaine."
Here you have to stop and make a calculation. How much
did you have to pay Madame (a) in French money, (b) in
English equivalent? I leave you to find out. But in quitting
^Monsieur understanas that I could not sell them (for) less than three
francs tbe clozen.
S^' soldiers' spoken FRENCH
the shop, you turn politely to Madame, raise your hand to
your cap, and say "Bon jour, Madame." And the lady will
say "Au revoir, Monsieur, merci beaucoup. Revenez im
autre jour." (Come back another day).
FUTURE TENSES.
Every Future tense in the French language has the same
Ending for its persons, viz.: —
1st. sing. .. .. ai 1st plur. .. .. ons
2nd „ .. .. as 2nd „ ..| .. ez
3rd ,^ .. ..a 3rd „ [.,] ^.. ont
Future of aimer.
J'almerai {zhaynieray) - I shall love.
Tu aimeras (aymera) - Thou wilt love.
II aimera (aymera) = He will love.
Nous aimerons {aymcronli) = We shall love.,
Vous aimerez (aymeray) = You will love,
lis aimeront (aymeronh) = ThBy will love.
Porter (portay) - to carry.
Lever ylevvay) - to lift.
Casser (kassay) = to break.
Tirer {tiray) = to fire (to draw, pull).
Arborer (arhoray) - to hoist (a flag).
Marcher (marshay) = to march, walk.
Inonder (innonhday) = to flood.
Viser {yeczay) - to aim.
Parler (parley) = to speak.
Esperer (espairay) = to hope.
Passer (passay) = to pass.
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH 53
Bemporter (remhportay) = to gain (carry off) (a victory).
GalQper (gallopay) = to gallop.
Sangler (sanhglay) = to girth or strap.
Fourrager (fourarzhay) = to forage.
Panser (panhzay) = to groom (a horse), to .dress (a
wound).
Retrancher (retranhshay) = to entrench.
Marquer (niarkay) = to mark (time).
Rater (rartay) = to miss fire.
Culbuter (Jcullbiitay) = to overthrow.
Parlemonter (parlermanhtay) = to parley.
Demonter {demonhiay) = to take to pieces,
Rallier (ralleeay) — to rajly.
Fixer (feexay) = to fix. -,
Trouver (troovay) = to find.
Touraer (toornay) = to turn.
Manquer (manhkay) = to miss (be absient),
Saluer (saliiay) = to salute.
Eclairer (aylclairay) = to scout.
Baser (rarsay) = to shave.'
The Present Tense of all the above verbs is formed
exactly like aimer. So also are the Past and Future Tenses.
(1) The student should therefore take them one after the
other and conjugate them with aimer as his model. It i3
impossible t<^ practise this too often. (2) Two students, or
student and teacher, should now pick out verbs, and ask
one another to give translation.
Exercise 44. (Example).
1. I pass. 2. Thou wilt girth. 3. He has taken-to-pieees.
4. We shall turn. 5. You have dressed (the wound). 6. You
54 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
are missing fire! (Vous ratez!). 7. They have parleyed. 8. We
are rallying. 9. You will gain (victory). 10. They fixed.
il. He will turn. 12. We salute. 13. I have missed.
14. They will carry. 15. You have broken. 16. Thou liftest.
17. We walk.
The Imperative mood is made from the Present Tense,
and presents no difficulty.
Aime = love (thou). Marche = March (thou).
Aimons = let us love. Marchons = Let us march,
Aimez = love (ye). Marchez = March (ye).
Passe = Pass (thou).
Passons = Let us pass.
Passez = Pass ye.
Exercise 45..
•Put all the above verbs into the Imperative Mood.
You have now learnt the Present, Past, and Future tenses,
and the Imperative mood of verbs ending in er. Such
knowledge ought to tide you over any momentary difficulty.
LESSON X.
One of the greatest differences between French and
English is the use of pronouns. As already stated both
subject pronoun (as je) and object pronoun (as me) come
before the verb.
There is also the indirect object-pronoun of the third
person, as
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 55
Lui (Iwee) = to him, for him, to her, for her.
Leur (lerr) = to them, for them.
These pronouns also come before the verb, bu. follow
le, la, les.
It is impossible to gain facility in the use of these
pronouns by learning rules. The rules are given simply that
the student may recognise the words when he hears them.
Nothing but frequent practice will show him where to place
them, but a few sentences learnt by heart will help greatly.
Je le vols = I see him.
tu la vols = thou seest lier.
il les volt = he sees them.
With I'oi and lenr —
Vous lui parlez = You speak to him.
Nous leur parlous = We speak to them.
Me, te, se, nous, vous serve both as direct and indirect
object-pronouns. For example, ''me" means me and
to me, etc
H me donne les fusils = He gives me the rifles-
II me les donne = He gives them to me.
H les leur donne = He gives them to them.
H le lui donne = He gives it to him.
n nous le donne = He gives it to us.
H nous la donne = He gives it (f.) to us.
Elle me la donne = She gives her to me.
Nous vous le donnons = We give it to you.
^6
soldiers' spoken FRENCH
These sentences should be learnt, and also the following
table of positions; —
<^
me
ij .
d
te
se
nous
come
before
le
la
les
come
before
lui
leur
11
d
vous
< **
d
se
Je le lui donne = (lit. I it to him give).
"It" is the direct object and to Mm the indirect object,
lused with the verb ^'give.''
Je les leur donne (I them to them give) =; I give them to
them.
Je vous le donne = I give it to you.
Je la lui donne = I give her to him.
Exercise 46.
Two students should try and ask a question, such as
*'A qui donnez-vous la plume T'
Ans.: "Je la lui donne.''
Ques.: "A qui donnez-vous Tencrier, le pain, I'eau, Tceuf,
le lalt, etc''? and the other should answer as above, according
to the gender of the noun referred to.
Words ending in al or ail change that ending to aux
in the plural.
Le cheval (sh'vall) = the horse.
Les chevaux (sh'vo) = the horses.
Le travail (trawl) = the work (ail like i in "mine"),
Les travaux (travo) = the works.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
57
Principal (prinhseepal) = principal (adj.)*
Principaux (prinhseepo) (plural).
Nouns already ending in s, and those ending in x and z
remain tke same in the plural. For example
lie bois, les tiois; le gaz, les gaz.
Some Irregular Feminin.es.
Masculine. Feminine.
Active (aTcteev) = Active.
Heureuse (eurrers) = Happy.
Blanche iblanhsh) = TVhite.
Longue (lonhgue) (like gue in morgue) =
long.
Fausse (foe-ss) = false (like oe in foe).
Neuve (nerve) = new, new-made.
The formation of Comparatives is easy. With the excep-
tion of one or two words, "plus" (plu) is put before the
Positive, to form the Comparative, and 'Ue plus" or *'la
plus" to form the superlative,
for "better." The
Actif (akteefy
Heureux (eurer)
Blanc Cblanh)
Long (lonh)
Faux (foe)
Neuf (nerf)
N.B. Never say
word following is
' plus hop. " but always " meilleur '
' que,"=" than."
Positive.
Comparative.
Masc. Actif = active
plus actif = more
active.
Fem. Active.
plus active
Masc. Keureux =
plus heureux =
happy;
happier;
Fem. Heureuse.
plus heureuse
le plus actif = most
active
la plus active
le plus heureux =
happiest.
la plus heureuse.
H est plus actif que vous = He is more active than you.
Elle est plus heureuse que sa scsur = She is happier than
her sister.
Superlative.
58 soldiers' spoken French.
Si (see) = So.
Pourquoi? (poorkwar) = Why?
Parce que (parss ker) = Because.
Encore (anhkor) = Yet, again.
Exercise 47. (To Read or Hear).
1. Pourquoi etes-vous toujours si actif? 2. Parce que je
suis heureux. 3. Pourquoi avez-vous encore faim? 4. Parce
que j'ai beaucoup marclie aujourd'hui. 5. Connaissez-voHS
ce soldat? 6. C'est monsieur le Capitaine X. 7. Quel
fromage avez-vous acbete? 8. Pourquoi avez-vous apporte
ce beurre? 9. Parce que je n'ai pas pu acheter de la viande.
10. C'est dommage, mais n'importe, mangeons. 11. Avez-
vous vu mon cheval dans le champ? 12. Non, je n'ai pas
encore ete dans le champ, je suis alle dans la ville. 13. Le
colonel est plus actif que le capitaine.
Words ending in eu' take x in the plural.
Cheveu, clieveux (sheveur) - Hair (always plur.).
Le feu {feur) = the fire ; Les f eux = the fires.
En when placed before a verb means of it, of them, some
or any.
En avez-vous? {onavvay voo) = Have you any!
En vonlez-vous? = Do you want some?
II y en a (eel ee onnar) = There is some.
II n'y en a pas = There is none.
Y when placed before a verb means "to it," *'to them,"
and sometimes "there."
Y allez-vous? = Are you going there?
Y peasez-voiis ? Do you think of (to) it?
(Eemcmber that the French say "to think to.")
II y est = He is there.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 59
AUez-vous? = (lit. go you?) Are you goijig?
Savez-vous? = (lit. know you?) Do you know?
Asseyez-vous = Sit (you) down.
Levez-vous = Get (you) up {i.e., stand up).
The two former of the above phrases merely ask a
question: "Are you going?" "Do you know?'*
But the two latter form part of reflexive verbs, of which
there are more in French than in English. "Seat yourself,"
"Eaise yourself," are the literal meanings.
Reflexive verbs are —
Se lever {lew ay) - to get up, to get out of bed.
Se coucher {looslwy) = to go to bed.
S'habiller {sabtecyay) - to dress oneself.
Se laver (lavvay) - to wash oneself.
Se bafctre {battr) = to fight.
Se mettre {meitr) = to place (seat) oneself.
Se promener {provi'nay) = to go for a walk.
Present Tense of s'habiller.
Je m'habille {^her maVoee) = I dress myself.
Nous nous habillons (nop noo^a'bee-yonli) zz We dress
ourselves.
Vous vOuS liabillez (voo voozahee-yay) - You dress
yourselves.
ns s'habilleiit {eel sathee) ■= They dress themselves.
Imperative Mood of se laver.
Lave-toi {lav twar)- Wash thyself.
Lavons-nous {lavvonli-noo) = Let us wash ourselves.
Lavez-vous (lavvay-voo) = Vv^'ash yourselves.
For the Past Tense, Reflexive verbs are conjugated with
etre.
60 soldiers' spoken FRENCH
Past Tense of se b^ttre.
Je me suis battu (battii) = I have fought, I fought.
Tu t'es battu = Thou hast fought.
II s'est battu = He has fought.
Nous nous sommes battus = We have fought.
Vous vous etes battus = You have fought,
lis se sont battus = They have fought.
Mettez-vcus la (mettay voo lar) = Sit down there.
Nous aliens nous mettre §, table = We are going to sit
down to table.
Mis (mee) = put.
Ou avez-vous mis les legumes? (legiim) = Where have you
put the vegetables? .
"Avez-vous?" also means "did you?"
Remember — There are no words "do" or **did'* in that
sense in French.
Savez-vous? = Do you know? (know you?) (a fact).
Connaissez-vous (konnaysay) = Do you know? (know you?)
(a person).
Dimanche (deemanhsh) = Sunday.
Lundi (lunhdee) - Monday.
Mardi {mar dee) - Tuesday.
Mercredi (mairkrerdee) = Wednesday.^
Jeudi (jerdee) = Thursday.
Vendredi {venhdrerdee) - Friday.
Samedi (samdee) = Saturday.
Approchez-vous {approshay-voo) — Come here.
J'ai grand'faim {gronh fainh) = I am very hungry.
Voulez-vous a boire? (bwar) = Will you have (something)
to drink?
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 61
Singular. PluraL
Quel, m. (Tcel) , tiaelle f. (Tcel) quels, m. quelles, f . = what?
Qu'avez-vous? (kavvay-voo) = Wl:at is the matter with
70U? (lit. ''What have joxiV).
'Toujours (toozhoor) = always.
Quelquefois (kellcerfwar) = sometimes.
Comme (kom) = like.
Fait (fay) = made.
Exercise 48. (To Read and Speak).
1. Ou allcz-vous? 2. Je vais regarder la mitrailleuse;'
3. Qu'avez-vous, mon ami? 4. J'ai grand 'f aim et j 'ai soif
aussi. 5. Alors, mettez-vous ici et reposez-vous. 6. Que
voulez-vous a boire? 7. Je veux du vin et de I'eau.s'il vous
plait. 8. Certainement, voici du bon pain blanc et du
fromage. 9. Qu'avez-vous fait, mes amis? 10. Nous avons
mis nos chevaux dans le champ, et nous nous sommes battus
avec les boches. 11. Quel jour^ vous etes-vous battus?
12. C'est lundi dernier que nous avons commence. 13. Et
vous voici ici maintenant sains et saufs. A la bonne heure!
14. Maintenant restez, et dinez avec nous. - 15. Ou avez-vous
mis la viande, mon cher? 16. Le voici, et voila aussi les
legumes. 17. Savez-vous ou sont les boches maintenant?
18. Non, je "ne le sais pas. 19. Lavez-vous et habillez-vous
tout de suite. 20. Je me suis lave, et je me suis habille.
21. Ou sont nos amis? Je les vols dans la maison. 22. Donnez
moi des oeufs. 23. Je vous les donne. 24. H me les a
donne. 25. Voulez vous 7 aller? 26. Voulez-vous m'en
donuer?
Les Boches (bosh) = the Huns.
Sains et saufs (sanh say soaf) = sound and safer
62 SOLDIERS' SPOSEN FRENCH
Exercise 49. (Spoken).
Two students should ask eaeh other: —
Quest.: "Qui voyez-vous ? ^ ' = Whom do you see?
Ans. : Je te vois, je l8 vols, j8 vous vois, etc.
Quest.: Qui clierclies-voiis?
Ans. : Je te cherclie, je le clierclie, etc.
For ''A qui donnez-voiis 1© journal?'' the pronoun musi
be the indirect one — "to Mm," "to tliem.'*'
LESSON XI.
Ce, cet, cette, ces, means this or that. To distinguish
between this and that in a sentence, the word ci (see) is
added to one noun, and the word la is added to the other.
Co livre-ci = this book.
Ce livrs-la = that book.
Oette femme-ci et cet homme-l^ = This woman and that
man.
Ces jardiss-ci ©t ces maisons-1^ = Tliese gardens and thos©
houses.
Ne pas = not.
Ne rien (rienh) = nothing.
Ne jamais (zhamay) = never.
Ne. que (Tcer) = only.
On (onh) is a pronoun very frequently used, and is
equivalent at times to the English "one," "they," "we,"
"you," "people," all indefinitely used.
On dft {onh dee) = People say, we say, they say, it is said.
SOtDIERS ^ SPOKEN FRENCH
POSSESSIVE PEONOUNS.
Sing.
Plural,
Masc.
Fern.
Masc.
Fern.
Le mien
La mienne
Les miens
Les miennes = mine.
(mietih)
(mienn)
(mienh)
(mieim)
Le ti.811
La tienne
Les tions
Les tiennes = thine.
Le sien
La sienne
Les siens
Les siennes = his, hers,
its.
Les notres = ours.
Le notre
La notre
Les notres
Le votre
La votre
Les votres
Les votres = youra.
Le leur
La leur
Les leurs
Les leurs = theirs.
Exercise 50. (To Eead or Translate).
1. Mon livre est le mien.
2. Ta plume est la tienne.
3. Son fusil est le sien.
4. Notre champ est le notre.
5. Vos fusils sent les votres
6. Leurs mitrailleuses sent les leurs.
To Learn.
A qui est la tasse? = Wliose is the cup? (To whom belongs
the cup?)
A qui sont les chausettes? = Whose are the socks?
Les chauEsettes sont les votres = The socks are yours.
De qui parlez-vous? = Of vrliom do you speak?
A qui pensez-vous? = Of (lit. to) whom do you think?
Qui aimez-vous? = Whom do you like?
Que vouiez-vous? = What do you want?
Notice that with Interrogative pronouns qui is used of
persons, and que of things.
Qu'avez-vous? {Tcavvay-voo) = What have you? What is
the matter with you?
64 soldiers' spoken FRENCH
Prepositions.
A = To Devant (devvanh) = Before.
Dans = In Derriere (derryair) = Behind.
Sur = On Avant (avanh) - Before.
De = Of Pres de {pray der) = Near.
Avec = Witli Chez (sJiay) = At the house, shop
Sous = Under or place of—
Aprds = After Pour (poor) = For.
Devant means before (of place).
Avant „ "before (of time).
Devant la porte = In front of the door.
Avant la nuit
Lemuel de ces journaux voulez-vous?
Wkich of these newspapers will you have?
Laquelle de ces dames est I'lnfirmiere (inhfeermiair)^
Which of these ladies is the nurse?
Lesquels de ces soldats sont blesses?
Which of these soldi iers are wounded?
Laquelle de ces femmes est la mere de cet enfant?
Which of these women is the mother of this child?
Exercise 51. (Spoken between two students).
Mention anything in the room, and speak about i^ at
follows: —
A. Laquelle de ces chaises est noire?
B. Cette chaise-ci est noire.
A. Lequel de ces livres est rouge?
Be Ce livre-la est rouge.
soldiers' spoken rRENCH 69
A. Laquelle de ces portes est ouverte?
B. Cette porte-la est ouverte.
A. Laquelle de ces fenetres est fenneel
B. Cette-fenetre-ci est fermee.
A. Lequel de ces encriers est noii?
B. Cet encrier-la est noir.
A. Laquelle de ces assiettes est blanche?
B. Cette assiette-ci est tlanclie.
A. Lequel de ces joumaux est vert?
B. Ce journal-la est vert.
A. Lequel de ces rideaux est jaune?
B. Ce rideau-la est jaune.
Questions and answers such as the above should bo
thought out in French by the students.
•Exercise 52. (Translate),
1. Quel livre est rouge? 2. Ce livre-U est rouge.
3. Lequel de ces soldats est bless6? 4. Ce soldat-la est blesse,
et ce soldat-ci est trSs fatigue. 5. 0^ avez-vous trouve ces
mitrailleuses? 6. Dans ce champ-1^ devant Peglise. 7. Quelle
heure est-il? 8. II est quatre heures et demie. 9. II faut
dtre k la ville avant'cinq heures. 10. Qu 'avez-vous, mon ami?
11. Je suis malade et j'ai grand 'soif. 12. Alors, asseyez-
vous ici, et buvez de cette bonne eau-1^. 13. Cette eau-ci est
meilleure que I'eau dans la ville, n'est-ce pas? 14. Cer-
tainement, vous avez raison. 15. Ou sont nos bagagesf
16. ns sont derriire cet arbre-1^. 17. Alors allez vite les
chercher. J8. Void rennemi. 19. Qui va lei? 20. Un ami.
66 soldiers' spoken frbkoh
Adverbs.
Add ment to the adjective to form the adverb. Add it
sometimes to the feminine form.
Adj. Poll, e (po-lee) = Polite.
Adv. Poliment (po-lee-menh) = Politely.
Adj. Vrai, e (vray) = True.
Adv. Vraiment (vraymenh) = Truly.
Adj. Heureux (er-er), heureuse (er-ers) - happy.
Adv. Heureusement (erersmenh) = happily.
In like manner —
Froidement (frwardmenh) = Coldly.
Chaudement (shddmenh) = Warmly, etc.
Positive: Bien (hienh) = Well.
Comparative: Mieux (mieur) = Better.
Superlative: Le mieux = Best (adverb)*
Prepositions.
Entre (enhtr) = between. Au-dessus de (o dessu der) a
Par (par) = by. above.
Aprds (apray) = after. Au-dessous de.(o dessoo der) a
Prds (pray) = near. under.
The pronouns following prepositions are: —
Singular. Plural.
Moi (mwar) = me. Nous = us.
Toi (twar) = thee. Vous = you.
Lul (Iwee) - him. Eux (er) = them.
EUe = her. £Iles = them, £.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 67
Exercise 53. (Translate).
A moi, sur toi, entre nous, de lui, par elle, avec nous,
apr^s vous, devant euz, derri^re elles.
Exercise 54.
In front of me, by thee, near us, behind him, with her,
by us, in front of you, upon them, to them, f., etc.
Conjunctions.
Et (a) = And. Car (kar) = For.
Alors (allor) = Then. Ou (oo) = Or.
Parce que (parss ker) = Because.
Interjections.
Courage! (Jcurarzh) Courage I
Garde a vous! (gard ar voo) = Look out!
Gare! {garr) = Take care!
Dis-donc! {dee donh) = I say!
Halte-la! {atU lar) = Halt!
Tout le monde (too ler monhd) = Everybody.
Tous les ans (too layzanh) = Every year.
Tous les mois (too lay mwar) = Every month.
Toutes les semaines (toot lay sermayn) - Every week.
Tous les jours (too lay shoor) = Every day.
Tous les mardis (too lay mardee) - Every Tuesday.
LESSON XII.
Parts of the Body,
la tite (tait) = The head.
Le Tisage (veezarzh) = Face.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH
Le crane (cram) = Skull.
Ii'CBil m. (oye) - Eye.
Lies yeux {yer) = Eyes.
Le nez (nay) = Nose.
La joue (zhoo) = Cheek.
La bouche (boosh) = Mouth.
La dent (denh) - Tooth>
La langue (langg) = Tongue.
La gorge {gorzh) - Throat.
Le menton (menhtonh) = Chin.
Le cou (Icoo) = Neck.
L'epaule (eppole) = Shoulder. j
La poitrine (pwartreen) = Chest.
Les poumons (poomonh) = Lung8.
Le dos (doe) = Back.
Le bras (hrar) = Arm.
Le coude (kood) = Elbow.
Le poignet (pwoyiiay) = Wrist
La main (mainh) = Hand.
Le doigt (dwar) = Finger.
Le ponce (p'ouss) = Thumb. j
Les ongles (onhgl) = Finger-naila 1
L'estomac {lestommar) = Stomach,
La jambe {zTiamKb) = Leg.
La cuisse (kweess) = Thigh.
Le genon (zhernoo) = Knee.
La cheville (shevee) = Ankle.
Le talon (tallonh) = Heel.
Le pied (peay) ^ Foot.
Les doigts de pied (dwar de peay) - Toes.
Le coeur {kerr) = Heart.
La colonne vertebrale (Jcolonn vairtayhrarl) = Spine.)
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 69
Remark.
The parts of the body are usually spoken of with the
article, e.g., my head = la tete, when there is no doubt of the
possessor. For example —
J'ai mal a la tete (lit. I have hurt to the head) = I have
a headache.
J'ai mal a Toeil = I have a sore eye.
J'ai mal au bras = I have hurt my arm.
J'ai mal a la main droite = I have hurt my right hand.
J'ai mal au pied gauche = I have hurt my left foot.
J'ai mal aux poumons = I have a pain in my lungs.
J'ai mal a la gorge = I have a sore throat.
J'ai mal au genou = I have hurt my knee.
Exercise 55. (Important Speaking).
One student should point to a part of the other's body,
saying at the same time:
A. Ou avez-vous mal? = (Where have you hurt!)
(touching B 's arm) .
B. J'ai mal au bras.
A. Ou avez-vous mal? (touching head).
B. J'ai mal a la tete.
And so on, through all the parts of the body. Then A. and B.
should change places, and recommence.
In several instances a different verb is used in French
from the corresponding English one. For instance, as already
mentioned, I am hungry is J'ai faim (I have hunger). This
is also the case with several other words: —
J'ai sommeil (sommayc) - I am sleepy (lit. I have sleep).
J'ai raison {rayzonli) - I am right (lit. I have right).
70 soldiers' spoken feench
J'ai tort (torr) = I am wrong (lit. T have wrong).
In speaking of age also, the verb to have is used in
French.
Quel age avez-vous? (lit. What age have you?) = How old
are youf)
J'ai vingt ans = I am twenty (years old).
Quel age a-t-il? = How old is he?
II a dix-neuf ans = He is nineteen.
(The word ans = years must always be expressed in
French.)
Celui, m.s. {sellwee), celle, f.s. {sell), ceux m. pi. (seur)^
celles f. pi. (sell) = That one, the one, he, she, those (ones).
Ceci (sersee) - this; cela (serlar or s'lar) = that.
Celui que vous avez vu est arriv6 = He whom you saw has
arrived
Ceci est bon, cela est mauvais = This is good, that is bad.
It has been said that pronouns precede the verbs in
French. There is just one exception, in the case of the
Imperative Mood, affirmative. Then the pronoun follows the
verb.
Donnez-moi = Give me.
Voyez-le = See it.
Begardez-les = Look at them, and so on.
In speaking of the weather H fait (lit. it makes) is
used for it is.
Quel temps fait-il? = What weather is it? (lit. makes it?
II fait beau temps = It is fine weather.
II fait mauvais temps = It is bad weather,.
II pleut (eel pier) = It rains.
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH 71
II neige (eel naysh) = It snows.
Past — n a plu (plii), II a neige (nayzhay).
Also, n fait chaud; il fait froid.
n pleut averse (plertaverss) = it rains in torrents.
Exercise 56.
1. Quel temps fait-il? 2. II fait mauvais temps, il pleut
averse. 3. Ne sortons pas aujourd'hui. . 4. Mais il faut
sortir, voici I'ennemi. 5. Levez-vous tout de suite, et
regardez ces deux chevaux. 6. Celui-ci est au soldat fran^ais,
et celui-la est au colonel anglais. 7. Celui-ci est le meilleur
cheval. 8. Donnez-moi d 'autres crayons, j 'ai perdu ceux que
vous m'avez prete. 9. Je parle de Kitchener et de Jellicoe.
•10. Celui-ci est amiral et celui-la etait general. 11. Donnez-
imoi cela; je n^ai pas besoin de ccci. 12. Voici mon
'fusil. Celui de mon camarade est encore plus neuf (still
newer). 13. IL fait beau temps aujourd'hui, mais hier il a
fait mauvais temps.
That (que) must always be expressed in French.
"I h-Ope you received my ^tter" = '^J'esp^re que vous
avez regu ma lettre.' *
Specimen Letter in French,
(From a sister to her brother at the Front).
To Learn.
Elle-meme (ell maim) = Herself.
Lui-meme (twee maim) = Himself.
Fait mettre (fay mettr) = Had put.
Je sals bien (zher say Menh) = I well know.
Mange-en (manhzh-onh) = Eat some.
Cli^ri (sherree) - Darling.
Moi aussl (mwar 6-see) =1 also; me also; so am L
Nous prions (preeonh) = We pray.
72 SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH
Chaque {shack) - Each, every.
Qu'il protege (protaizhe) = That he may protect,
Qu'il renvoie (renhvwar) = That he may send back.
Que tu as du (dil) = How thou must have. . . .
Souffrir (sooffreer) (means to suffer) = suffered.
Maudites (md-deet) = Wretched (accursed).
A ce qu'on voit = By what one sees.
On n'a eu rien que = They have had nothing but
Rappelle-toi (rapx>ell) = Eemember.
Nous pensons (pe7ihsonh) = We think.
Nous travaillons (travvi-yonh) = We work.
Nous prions (pree-onh) = We pray.
Tu te battes (til ter batt) = Thou fightest.
Tu sais (say) = Thou knowest.
Notre sainte patrie (iiotr sernht pattree) - our holy
motherland.
Brave (brarv) = Brave.
Courageux (hooraslier) - Brave, courageous.
Loyal s., loyaux pi. (Iwoy-al, Iwoy-o) = loyal.
Que Dieu te benisse (l:er D'yer ter henneess) = God bless
thee.
Ta soeur (seurr) = Thy sister.
Qui t'aime (key iaim) = Who loves thee.
LETTER TO THE FRONT,
Mon ties cher frere,—
J'espere que tu as vegu le bon gateau que nous t'avons
•fenvoye T autre jour. La petite mere I'a fait elle-meme, et
nous avcns aussi fait mettre dans le paquet un tas d'autres
choses — du chocolat, des chaussettes, du savon et des
cigarettes. Je sais bien que tu en donneras a tes camarades.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 73
mais mange-en aussi de ce bon gateau, mon petit frere cheri,
parce que c'est pour toi que nous Tavons fait. Mere est
tres trds brave, et moi aussi. Nous prions chaque matin et
cbaque soir au bon Dieu pour qu'il te protege, et qu'il te
nous renvoie sain et sauf. Que tu as dfi souffrir, mon ami,
dans ces maudites tranchees ou, a ce qu'on voit dans les
joumaux, on n'a eu rien que la pluie, I'eau et la bouel
Rappelle-toi toujours que nous ne pensons i rien qu' a toi,
aous travaillons pour toi, et nous prions pour toi jour et nuit.
C'est pour nous que tu te battes.tu sais, pour notre roi, pour
notre sainte patrie, et pour nos braves Allies, les Pransais,
qui sont si courageux et si loyaux.
Au rfiybir, f r^re cheri, que Dieu -te b^nisse,
Ta soeur qui t'aime,
BOSE
Part II.
SOME IMPORTANT TENSES OF VERBS.
The Present Tense of verbs has already been givcH
(pp. 43-44), and the Past Tense (pp. 46-47). It has been
mentioned that the Past Tense in French is made with the
past participle and an auxiliary verb, either avoir or etre;
as J'ai aime = I have loved, or I loved; II a fini =: he has
finished, or he finished; Je suis alle = I have gone, or I
■went, etc.
The Past Tense above-mentioned is the tense used in
every-day speech, as "Hier j'ai re^u une lottre" = "Yester-
day I received a letter.'' It is called the Past Indefinite
tense.
74 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
There is another past tense called the Imperfect, which
IS also much used. It has the same endings in every verb in
the French language. The endings are as follow: —
Sing. 1st pers. — ais. PI. 1st pers. — ions.
2nd pers. — ais. 2nd pers. — iez.
3rd pers. — ait. 3rd pers. — aient.
Imperfect Tense of Avoir = to have.
J'av-ais (shavvay) = I had, I was having.
Tu av-ais (tii away) = thou hadst.
II av-ait (eel away) = he had.
Nous av-ions (noozavvyonTi) = we had.
Vous av-iez (yoozavvyay) = you had.
lis av-aient (eelzavvay) = they had.
Imperfect Tense of etre = to be.
J'et-ais (shettay) = I was.
Tu et-ais (tii ettay) = thou wast
II 6t-ait (eelettay) = he was.
Nous et-ions (noozettyonh) - we were.
Vous et-iez (voozettyay) - you were.
lis et-aient (eelsettay) - they were.
Imperfect Tense of donner = to give.
Je donn-ais (donnay) = I gave, I was giving.
Tu donn-ais = thou gavest.
II donn-ait = he gave.
Nous donn-ions = we gave,
Vous donn-iez = you gave,
lis donn^aient = they gave,
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH 75
Imperfect Tense of Finir = to finish.
Je fin-iss-ais (finneessay) = I finished, I was finishing.
Tu fin-iss-ais = thou finishedst.
II fin-iss-ait = he finished.
Nous fin-iss-ions = we finished.
Vous fin-iss-iez = You finished.
lis fin-iss-aient = They finished.
(Notice the insertion of iss into regular verbs of the
2nd Conjugation ending in ir, but irregular verbs do not
insert iss.)
The Imperfect Tense in French is used to describe an
action as going on while another took place, as: —
Je finissais non diner quand le general est arrive =1 was
finishing ray dinner when the general arrived.
Les soldats traversaient le pont quand I'ennemi est venu
= The soldiers were crossing the bridge when the enemy came.
The words used to are translated into the Imperfect Tense
in French.
Nous parlions sou vent de nos meres = We often used-to-
speak of our mothers,
J'allais souvent a la ville = I often used-to-go to the town.
Ensuite (enhsiveet) = then, next.
Se coucher {ser 'kooshay) = to go to bed.
Le lendemain {lenhdermanh) - the next day.
Rejoindre (rerjicandr) = to join.
La compagnie {kornhpi-ilee) = the company.
Habiter (abheetay) = to live in.
Demain (dermanh) = to-morrow.
De bonne heure (der bonn eur) = early.
Estaminet, m. (estammecnay) - cofFee-house>
Loin (Iwnnh) = far,
76 soldiers' spoken french
Contre (kontr) - against.
Traverser {travmrsay) = to cross.
Us riaient {reeay) - they laughed, were laughing.
Pendant que {'pe^danh Tcer) - while.
Voyager (vwayarzhay) = to travel.
Ecosse (AyTcoss) = Scotland.
Exercise 57.
Apres le diner j'allais voir les malades k I'hopital.
Ensuite je me suis couche. Le lendemain matin je suis alle
rejoindre ma compagnie. Avant la guerre j'habitais une
petite ville en Ecosse. J 'avals alors dix-huit ans. Main-
tenant j'ai vingt-deux ans. Domain nous nous leverons de
bonne heure. Hier nous sommes alles k I'estaminet. Voici
les soldats Amerieains. lis sont venus de tr^s tres loin, se
battre contre nos ennemis. lis ont traverse la mer, et ils sont
arrives en France. Ils chantaient et riaient pendant qu'ils
voyageaient
Exercise 58.
1. We were eating. 2. You were marching. 3. He was
thinking. 4. You used-to-eat. 5. They were carrying. 6. I
used-to-speak. 7. Tliey were missing-fire. 8. He was
scouting. 9. They were galloping. 10. You were breaking.
As already explained the Imperfect endings of
all verbs are the same. Therefore when the 1st Person only is
given, the student oan himself supply the remainder of the
tense. Working out these tenses in speech or in writing is
good exercise
**Thou,'' the 2nd Pers. Sing, is used more frequently in
French than in EngUsh. The French say, "tu,'' thou to
intimate friends, members of the family, and young children.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 77
As previously stated, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Persons Singular
of the Present Tenses are usually pronounced, though not
spelt, exactly the same. The 3rd pers. sing, nearly always
ends in t, except in verbs of the First Conjugation, as
"aimer.'' As, however, all three persons sound alike, the
1st. pers. sing, only will usually be given, with the 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd persons plural.
Future of Tinir (2nd Conj. Regular) —
Je finir-ai (feeneeray) - I shall finish.
Tu finir-as {fecneerar) - Thou wilt finish.
H finir-a {feenecrar) - He will finish.
Nous finir-ons {feeneeronh) = We shall finish.
Vous finir-ez (feeneeray) = You will finish,
lis finir-ont {feeneeronh) = They will finish.
Future of Recevoir (3rd Conj. Reg.).
Je recevr-ai (ressevray) = I shall receive, etc.
Future of rompre (ronhpr) (4th Conj. Reg.) —
Je rompr-ai (ronhpray) = I shall break.
The Present Participle of regular verbs, and of some
irregular ones, is very easily made, by taking away tho
Infinitive endings in er, oir, re, and adding ant (anh). Verbs
ending in ir add -issant. Irregularly-formed Present Parti-
ciples will be found on page 87.
Port-er Port-ant (portanh) = Carrying.
Fin-ir Fln-issant = Finishing.
Recev-olr Eecev-ant = Receiving.
Romp-re Romp-ant = Breaking.
The Infinitive is often used in French where in English
we use the Present Participle, as
"Avant de commencer" = <* Before commencing.'*
(avvcinh der commenlisQp)
78 soldiers' spoken French
IRREGULAR VERBS.
Arranged Alphabetically.
Aller {allay) = To go.
Present Tense already given on page 44.
Imperfect.
J'allais (zhallay) = I was going.
Future.
J*ir-ai (eheeray) = I shall go.
Tu ir-as (tii eerar) = Thou wilt go.
II ir-a {eel eerar) ~ He will go.
Nous ir-ons (noozeeronh) = We shall go.
Vour ir-ez {voozeeray) = You will go.
Us ir-ont (eelzeeronh) = They will go.
Interrogative.
Irai-je? (eerayzh) - Sh^ll I go?
Irez-vous? (eeray voo) = Will you go?
Or,
Est-ce que j'iral? = Shall I go?
Est-ce qu'il ira?
Est-ce que vous irez?
Courir (kooreer) = To run.
Present.
Je cours (Icoor) = I run.
Imperative.
Cours (koor) = Run (thou).
Oourons (Jcooronh) = Let us run.
Courez (Tcooray) = Run (ye).
Imperfect.
Je courais (kooroAf) = I was iMnning.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 79
Future.
Je courrai (koor-ray) - I shall run, etc.
Past.
J'ai couru (kooru) =■ I ran, have run, etc.
Couvrir (koovreer) = To cover.
Present.
Je couvre (koovr) = I cover.
Nous couvrons (koovronh).
Vous couvrez (koovray).
Us couvr(ent) (koovr).
Imperfect.
Je COUvrais (koovray) = I was covering.
Future.
Je couvrir-ai = I shall cover.
Past.
J'ai couvert = I covered.
Dire (deer) = To say, tell.
Present.
Je dis (dee) - I say.
Nous disons (deezonh) = We say.
Vous dites (deet) = You say.
Us dls(ent) (dees) =. They say.
Imperfect.
Je disais {deezay) = I was saying.
Future.
Je dir-ai (deeray) = I shall say.
Past.
J'ai dit {shay dee) = I have said.
80 soldiers' spoken French
Dormir {dormeer) - To sleep.
Je dors {dor) - I sleep.
Nous dormons (dormonli) = We sleep.
Vous dormez (dormaij) = You sleep,
lis dorment (dorm) = They sleep.
Imperfect.
Je dormais (dormay) - I was sleeping.
Future.
Je dormir-ai (dormeeray) = I shall sleep.
Past.
J'al dormi (dormee) = I slept.
Ecrire {aykreer) - To write.
Present.
J'^cris {zhaylcree) = I write.
Nous ecrivons {aylcreevonli) - We write.
Vous ecrivez {aylcreevay) ~ You write,
lis ecrivent (aylcreev) - They write.
Imperfect.
J'ecrivais {zliaykreevay) - I was writing.
Future,
j'ecrirai (sJiayJcreeray) = I shall write.
Past.
J'ai ecrit {aykree) - I wrote, I have written
Envoyer {enJivwoyay) - To send.
Present.
J'envoie (enhvivar) = I send.
Nous envoy ons (enhviuoyyonh).
Vous envoyez (enhvwoyyay) .
lis envoient (enJivivar).
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 81
Imperfect.
J'envoyais (enlivwoyyay) = I was sending.
Puture.
J'enverr-ai (onTivairay) = I shall send.
Past.
J'ai envoye (onhvwoyay) = I sent, have sent.
Etre (aytr) = To be.
Future.
Je ser-ai (serray) = I shall be.
Past.
J'ai 6t4 (etiay) = I have been.
Faire (fair) - To do, make, cause.
Present.
Je fais (fay) = I make, do.
Nous faisons (ferzonh).
Vous faites (fate).
Us font (fonh).
Imperfect.
Je faisais (fersay) - I was doing.
Future.
Je fer-ai (f err ay) - I shall do, make.
Past.
J'ai fait (fay) - I have done, made.
Lire {leer) - To read.
Present.
Je lis (Z^e) = I read.
Nous lisons (leesonh).
Vous lisez (leeway).
ns lis(ent) (lees).
82 soldiers' spoken French
Imperfect.
Je lisais (leeway) = I was reading,
Future.
Je lir-ai (leeray) = I shall read.
Mettre (mettr) =: To put.
Imperfect.
Je mettais (mettay) = I was putting.
Imperative.
Mets (may) = Put (thou).
Mettons {mettonh) = Let us put.
Mettez (mettay) = Put (ye).
Future.
Je mettr-ai (mettray) = I shall put
Past.
J'ai mis (mee) = I have put.
Se mettre (ser mettr) - To seat oneself
*'Mettez-vous ici" = '*Sit down here."
Offrir (offreer) = To offer (like Couvrir).
Ouvrir (oovreer) - To open (like Couvrir)
Partir (parteer) = To go away, depart.
Present.
Je pars (par) = I go away.
Nous partons (partonh) = We go away
Vous partez (partay) = You go away.
lis part(eiit) (part) = They go away.
Imperfect.
Je partais (partay) = I was going away.
SOLDlEfts' SPOKEN FRENCH
Future^
Je partir-ai (parteeroy) - t shall go away.
Past.
Je suls parti (partee) = I have gone away.
Pleuvoir (plervwar) = To rain.
Present.
IJ pleut (pier) = It rains, is raining.
Imperfect.
II pleuvait (plervay) = It was raining.
Future.
n pleuvra (plervrar) = It will rain.
Past.
H a plu (plu) = It has rained.
Pouvoir (poovwar) = To be able.
Imperfect.
Je pouvais (poovay) = I was able, I could.
Future.
Je pourr-ai (poor-ray) - I shall be able.
Past.
J'ai pu (pit) = I have been able.
Eire (reer) = To laugh.
Present.
Je lis (ree) = 1 laugh.
Nous rions (ree-onh) = We laugh.
Vous riez (ree-ay) = You laugh.
lis ri(ent) (ree) = They laugh.
Imperfect.
Je rials (reeay) a I was laughing.
84 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
ruture.
Je rir-ai (reeray) = I shall laugh.
Past.
J'ai ri (ree) = I have laughed.
Savoir (savwar) = To know.
Present.
Je sais (say) - I know.
Nous savons (savvonh) = We know.
Vous savez (savvay).
Us savent (saw).
Imperfect.
Je savais (savvay) - I used to know.
Future.
Je saurai (soar-ay) = I shall know.
Past.
J'ai su (sii) = I knew
Sentir (senhteer) = To feel, smell.
Present.
Je sens (senh) = I feel.
Nous sentons (senhtonli) - We feel.
Vous sentez (senhtay) - You feel,
lis sent(ent) (senht) = They feel.
Imperfect.
Je sentais (senhtay) - I was feeling.
Future.
Je sentir-ai (senhteer ay) - I shall feel, or smell.
Past.
J'ai senti (senhtee) = I have felt, or smelt.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 85
Sortir (sorteer) = To go out.
Present.
Je sors (sors) = I go out (like sentir).
Imperfect.
Je sortais (sortay) = I was going out.
Future.
Je sortir-ai (sorteeray) = I shall go out.
Past.
Je suis sorti (sortee) = I have gone out, I wont out.
Souffrir (souffreer) = To suffer.
(Same as ouvrir and couvrlr.)
Sourire (sooreer) = To smile.
(Same as rlre ='To laugh.)
Se souvenir {sooveneer) = To remember.
(Same as venir.)
Past.
Je me suis souvenu (soovenu) = I remembered, have
remembered.
Suivre (sweevr) = to follow.
Present.
Je suis (swee) - I follow.
Nous suivons (sweevonh).
Vous suivez {sweemy).
lis suiv(ent) {sweev).
Imperfect.
Je suivais (sweevay) = 1 was following.
Future.
Je suivrai (sweevray) = I shall follow.
Sulvez-moi (sweevay rawar) = Follow me.
86 SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
S& taire (tayre) = To be silent.
Imperative.
Tais-toi (tay twar) - Be (thou) silent. **fl"old yoct
tongue.*'
Taisez-vous (tayzay voo) = Be (you) silent.
Tenir (tenneer) = To hold.
(Same as venir.)
Venir (venneer) = To come.
Present.
Je viens (vienh) = I come.
Nous venons (^vennonh) = "We come,
Vous venez (vennay) = You come,
ns vieim(ent) (vienn) = They come.
Imperfect.
Je venais (vennay) = I was coming.
ruture.
Je viendr-ai (vienhdray) = I shall come.
Past.
Je suis venu (venu) ^z I have come.
Vivre (vcevr) = To live.
Present.
Je vis (vee) = I live, etc.
Nous vivons {veevonh).
Vous vivez (veevay).
lis viv(ent) {veev).
Imperfect.
Je vivais (veevay) = I was living.
Future.
Je vivr-ai (veevray) = I shall live.
soldiers' spoken FRENCH 87
Past.
J al v6cii (velcM) = I have lived.
Voir (vwar) - To see.
Present.
Je vois {vwar) - I see. See page 32.
Imperfect.
Je voyais (vivoyay) = I was seeing.
Future.
Je verr-ai (vairay) = I shall see.
Vouloir {voolwahr) - to wish.
Present.
Je veux {veur) - I wish; see p. 44.
Imperfect.
Je voulais (voolay) = 1 was wishing.
Future,
Je voudr-al (voodray) = I shall wish.
Past.
J'ai voulu (voolii) = I have wished.
"Je voudrais" (voodray) = "I should like."
"Veuillez" {veuy-yay) = "Be so good as."
PRESENT PAETICIPLES (irregular).
Apprenant (apprennanh) = Learning.
3'asseyant (sassdyanh) = Seating oneself.
Ayant (ayanh) = Having.
Buvant {hilvanh) = Drinking.
Comprenant (konJiprennanh) = Understanding.
Conduisant (Iconhdweezanh) = Leading.
Connalssant (konnayssanh) = Knowing.
Bisant {deezanh) - Saying.
Ecrivant (aykreevanh) = Writing.
Etant (ettanh) = Being.
88 soldiers' spoken French
Faisant (ferzanh) = Making, doing.
liisant (leezanh) = Beading.
Paraissant (parayssanh) = Appearing
Prenant (prennanh) = Taking.
Riant (reeanh) = Laughing.
Sacbant (sashanh) = Knowing.
Suivant (sweevanh) = Following.
Vainquant (vainhkanh) = Conquering
Voyant iywoyanh) = Seeing.
N B. Never say " Je suis eci-ivant " for " I am writing. " That construc-
tion is not used iti French. There is only one forni of the Present Tense.
|[Je porte"^^means "I carry." and also "I am carrying."^ "Je finis,"
" I finish," *' I am finishing," " Je reqois " = " I receive " and " I am receiv-
ing " "J'^cris" = " I am writing," etc.. etc.
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN rRENCH
Paet in.
SOME USEFUL PHRASES.
GREETINGS.
The words *' Monsieur, " ''Madame/' or "Mademoiselle"
should be added to "Bonjour/' "bonsoir/' and also to most
phrases-
Engllsh.
I beg your pardon
Allow -me
How are you!
Pretty well, thank
you
I bave a cold
Give my kind re-
gards to your
mother — your
brother
Goodbye
Trench.
Pardon
Pennettez-moi
Comment cela
va-t-il?
Assez bien merci
J'ai irn rhmne
Faites mes amities
a madame votre
mere — a mon-
sieur votre frere
Au revoir
A tantot
Proniinciation.
Pardonh
Fairmeitay mwar
KomovJi s'lar
'varieel^
Assay bienh mairsee
■ZJiay ernh riime
Fate maizammee-
flay za madamm
voir mair — ar
m 'syeur voir
fraer
O rervwar
Ar tonhtoe
Have you seen my
regiment?
Go straight on
Which is the best
way?
What town is this?
ASEJNG ONE'S WAY.
Avez-vous vu mon
regiment?
Allez tout droit
Quel estlemeilleur
chemin?
Quelle est cette
viUe?
Away voo vii monk
rezheemonh
Allay too drwar
Kel ay ler may-yeur
sh 'maiih
Kel ay sett veel
90
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Does tliis road lead
to the river?
A.re there any lulls
to go up?
Xn the hill long-
steep?
Estrce que cette
rue m§ne a la
rividre?
Y a-t-il des cotes a
monter?
La colline est-elle
longue — ^raide?
Ayce leer sett r^
mane ar lar
riveeair
Ee art eel day coat
sar monhtay
Lar kolleen ait ell
lonhg — rayd'i
N.B. In asking a queation with a noun, the pronoun is also used, as
Is the town large
or small?
Is the bridge far
from here?
Which is the short-
est way to go
to- — ?
Which way must I
(we, you, they,
etc.) go?
Take the first
street on the
left, then the
second on the
right.
Follow the railway
line
Follow the tele-
graph line
Cross the bridge
The regiment is to
the north— south
— east — west
Where i& the firing
line?
La viUe est-elle
grande ou petite?
Le pout est-il loin
d'ici?
Quel est le chemin
le plus court
pour aller a — ?
Par oti faut-il
aller?
Prenez la premiere
rue ^ gauche,
puis la deuxidme
^ droite.
Suivez la ligue d6
cliemin de f er
Suivez le fil tele-
graphique
Traversez le pout
Lq n;giment est au
nord — sud — a
rest — k Touest
Ou est la ligne de
feu?
Lar veel ait ell
gronhd oo perteet
Ler ponh ait-eel
Iwanh deesee
Eel ay ler sh 'manh
ler plii IcGor poor
allay ar
Tar 00 fo teel allay
Prennay lar premm-
yair ru ar gosch,
pwee lar derz-e-
em ar drwart
Sweevay lar leen
der sh^manh de
fair
Sweevay le feel
telaygrafeeh
Travairsay ler ponh
Le resheemonh c
toe nor — sUd--
ar lest — arlwest
Oo ay lar leefi der
fer
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
91
Can you direct me
to the English
Tegiment ?
Have you seen any
English soldiers?
Yes (sir) cross the
river and you
mil find them
Here, there
In front of you
Behind you
Go that way
Over there
Come here
It is a kilometre
(away)
What weather is it?
It is fine
The weather is
fine.
li is warm
It is cold
It is bad
It is wipdy
It is fitie, the sun
shires, and all
is \>right
It is bad, the
weather is
stormy
<t la very windy
Pouvez-vous me
diriger au regi-
ment anglais?
Avez-vous vn des
soldats anglaic?
Oui monsieur, tra-
versez la riviere
et vous les trou-
verez
Ici, la
Devant vous
Den^:;^e vous
Allez par la
La bas
Venez ici
C'est a un kilo-
mdtre
THE "WEATHER.
Quel temps f ait-il?
II fait beau temps
Le temps est beau
H fait cbaud
H fait froid
H fait mauvais
II fait du vent
II fait beau, ie
soleil brille, et
tout est gai
H fait mauvais, le
temps est a
Forage
H fait beaucoup
de vent
Poovay voomer dee-
reezhay o rezliee-
mo'iih tonglay
Away voo vii day
soldarzcnglay
Weeh m'syeur, Pro-
vairsayla riveeair
ay voo lay trou-
veray
Eesee, lar
Bevvanli voo
Derryair voo
Allay par lar
Lar bar
Vennayzeesee
Sayt ar ernh JciUO'
maytr
Kel tenh faiieel
Eel fay bo tenh
Ler tenh ay ho
Eel fay show
Eel fay frwar
Eel fay movvay
Eel fay dii venh
Eel fay bo, ler
solay breeh, ay
too tay gay
Eel fay movvay, ler
tenh ay tar lor-
rarshe
Eel fay bolcoo der
venh
92
SOLDIEBS' SPOKEN FRENCH
ASKING FOR BED, BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER,
SHAVE AND HAIR-CUT.
I want a bed-
Je desirerais (or
Zher deseereray zun
room
desire) una
chambre a
coucher
shomtr ar Tcooshaif
I am a soldier, I
Je suis soldat, je
Zher swee solldar.
have no luggage
n'ai pas de
zher nay par der
bagages
haggarzh
I have only a
Je n'ai qu'un
Zher nay Tcernh
small bag
petit sac
■pertee sacTc
This is your room,
Void votre cham-
V war ci voir shonxbr.
sir
bre, monsieur
m 'syeur
What number is
Quel numero est
Kel numairo ayce
it?
ce?
Number 35
Numero- quinze
Niimairo Tcai(r)nhs
Send up some hot
Faites-moi monter
Fate mwar monh
water
de I'eau chaude
tay der lo showed
Let me have a
Faites-moi porter
Fate mwar portay
clean towel
ime serviette
propre
iin sairvyett propfr
What time is
A quelle heure est
Ar hell eur a le
breakfast, lunch,
le premier
premmeay day-
dinner?
dejeuner, le
jernay, le s'konh
second dejeuner,
dayjernay, l&r
le diner?
deenay
How much are the
Quel est le prix
Kell ay ler pree day
rooms?
des chambres?
shom'hr
How much is
Combien le diner?
Korahienh ler
dinner?
deenay
Have you note-
Avez-vous du
Away voo dii
paper and en-
papier a lettre
pap-yay ar letir
velopes?
et des en-
veloppes?
a. dayzonhvellop
Bring me the bill
Apportez-moi la
Apportay mwar lar
L note.
not
soldiers' spoken fesnch
93
Call me at 7 o'clock
When does tlie
train leave?
You must (one
must) be at the
station at half-
past 8
I want some to-
bacco
I also want my
hair cut
I want a shave
I want to buy an
English paper
Do you speak
English!
I am English, I
only speak a
little French.
I do not under-
stand you
Speak more slowly
Speak louder
Do you not under-
stand me?
Yes. I understand
you now.
ReveiUez-moi a
sept heures
A quelle heure le
train part-il?
n faut etre a la
gare a huit
heures et demie
Je voudrais. du
tabac
Je veux aussi me
fairs couper les
cheveux
Je veux me faire
raser
Je desire achetcr
un journal
anglais
SPEAK FRENCH.
Parlez vous
Anglais?
Je suis Anglais, je
ne parle qu'un
peu le frangais.
Je ne vous com-
prends pas
Parlez plus lente-
ment
Parley plus haut
Ne me comprenez-
vous pas?
*Si, je vous com-
prends mainten-
ant
Bevay-yay mwar ar
sett eur
Ar Jcelleur ler
trainh parteel
Eel fd tatr ar lar
garr ar weet eur
a d'mee
Zher voodray dil
tahbar
Zher ver zo-see mer
fair Jcoopay lay
sh 'ver
Zher ver mer fair
rarsay
Zher dayseer ash-
tay ernh zhoornal
onglay
Parlay voo zonglay
Zher sweezonglay,
zher ner parle
Icernh ' per le
fronhsay
Zher ne voo Icom^-
prenh par
Parlay plil lenht*-
menh
Parlay plii 5
Ner mer Tcompren-
nay voo par
See, sJier voo Tcom-
preiih manht*-
nanh
f**Si:' is uged instead ot •'oui" after @, negative question
94
soldiers' spoken FRENCff
I speak just a
little.
What do you say?
Speak to me in
English, please.
Do you know any-
one who speaks
English?
But you speak
French very well
Help!
Halt! Who goes
there?
Help me.
Give me some-
thing to drink
Where are you
wounded?
I am wet to the
skin (bones)
I am shivering
with cold.
I have lost my
way.
You are amongst
friends.
I am very much
obliged to you.
You have saved
my life
Give me a sling,
Bandage_my hand
Je parle un petit
peu
Que dites-vous?
Parlez-moi Anglais
s'il vous plait
Connaissez-vous
queltiu'im qui
parle anglais?
Mais vous parlez
tres bien le
francais
Au secours!
Halt! Qui va la?
Aidez-moi.
Donnez moi a
boire
Ou §tes-vous
blesse?
Je suis mouille
jusqu'aux os
Je grelotte de
froid
Je me suis egare
Vous etes avec des
amis
Je vous suis bien
oblige
Vousm'avez sauve
la vie
Donnez-moi une
echarpe, s'il vous
plait
Bacdez-moi la
main
Zher pan ernh
pertee per
Ker deet voo
Parlaymwar Onglay
seel vous play
Konnayssay voo
kelhernh key pari
onglay
May voo parlay
tray hienh ler
frayiJisay
s'Tcour'
Allt! Key var lar
Ayday mwar
Vonnay mwar ar
bwarr
Oo ait voo hlessay
Zher swee mou-yay
zhusTcoze oss
Zher grelott der
frwar
Zher mer swee
zaygaray
Voosait avek days
ammee
Zher vous swee
bienh ohhleeshay
Voo mavvay so-vay
lar vee
Donnay mtuar . iin
aysharp seel voo
play
^anhday mwar lar
manh
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH
95
You are badly
Vous avez beau-
Voo zavvay hokoo
hurt
coup de mal
der mal
I have broken my
J'ai la jambe
Zhay lar zharnhh
leg
cassee
Tcassay
I cannot walk
Je ne puis marclier
Zher ner pwee
marshay
Do not be afraid
N'ayez pas peur
Nayyay par purr
You won't feel any
Vous ne sentirez
Voo ner sanhteeray
pain
pas de douleur
par der doolerr
Your collar-bone is
Vous avez la clavi-
Voo zavvay la Tela-
dislocated
cule disloquee
veeTcule deesloTcay
We are going to
On va vous porter
Onh var voo portay
carry you to the
a I'hopital
ar lopeetal
hospital
Rest now
Reposez-vous
Rerpo-zay voo
maintenant
manht'nanh
Bring a stretcher
Apportez un bran-
Apportay zernh
card
trorih-Tcart
Under cover
a I'abri
Ar labhree
Go and fetch the
Allez chercher le
Allay share-shay ler
doctor
medecln
med'sinh
You must take
H faut le porter a
Eel fo ler portay ar
him to the hos-
I'hopital
lopeetal
pital
Where are you
Ou avez-vous mal?
Oo avvay-voo mal
hurt?
We are going to
Nous allons vous
Noo sallonh voo
cure you.
guerir
ger-reer
Run quickly!
Courez vite!
Kooray veet!
Quicker!
Plus vite!
Tin veet!
Slower!
Plus lentement.
Plii lenhtmenh.
Take the guns!
Prenez les canons!
Prennay lay
Tcanonhs!
It is the white
C'est le pavilion
Say le pavee-yonh
flag.
blanc.
Uanh.
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FEENGH
They are surren-
lis se rendent.
Eel ser refohd.
dering.
Sound the advance
Somiez Pavance—
Sonnay lavvojihss.
— retreat!
la retralte!
— lar rertrayt.
Take care of the
Prenez garde du
Prennay gard du
shrapnel!
shrapnel!
shrapnell
We are going to
Nous aliens
Noozallonhz
attack.
attaquer
attakay.
This village must
Ce village doit
Ser veeyarsh dwar
accommodate 300
caser trois cents
Tear say trwiir senh
men.
hommes.
somm.
I want quarters
Je veux des billets
Zherveurday beeyay
for officers.
de logement pour
der loshmonh poor
des officiers.
day zoffees'yay.
Post these letters.
Mettez ces lettres
Mettay say lettr ar
^ la poste.
lar posst
We stay here to-
Nous restons ici
Noo restonh zeesee
night.
cette nuit.
sett nwee.
Pitch tents!
Dressez les ten test
Dressay lay tonht!
Water the horses.
Donnez a boire aux
Donnay sar biuar a
chevaux.
sh'vo.
Feed the horses.
Donnez ^ manger
Donnay zar manh-
aux chevaux.
zhay 6 sh'vo.
Make a fire.
Faites du feu.
Fate du fer
Lights out!
Eteignez la
Aytayliay lar
lumi^re!
liimyairf
Lay the cloth
Mettez le couvert.
MEALS AND FOOD.
Mettay lev koovair.
Apple
pomme, f.
pomm
Appetiser
hors d'oeuvre, m.
or-dervr
Bacon
lard, m.
larr
Beef
bCBUf, m.
berf
Brains
cervelles, f.
sairvell
Bread-crumbs (with)
^ au gratin
6 grattinh
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
07
Chicken
coa
Duck
Fish
Gravy
Ham
Hare
Kidney-
Lamb
Leg of mutton
Lemon squash
Lobster
Mutton
Pear
Plum
Pork
Potato
Rabbit
Sauce
Soda and milk
Sole
Soup (clear)
Soup (Fr. ordinary)
Soup (thick)
Strawberry
Sweets (puddings)
Turkey
Veal
Vegetables
volaille, f.; poulet,
m.
cabiUaud, m.
canard, m.
poisson, ra.
jus, m.
jambon, m.
lidvre, f.
rognon, m.
agneau, m.
gigot, m.
citron frapp6, m.
homard, m.
mouton, m.
poire, f.
prune, f.
pore, m.
pomme de terre, f.
iapin, m.
sauce, f.
saucisses, f .
lait et siphon
sole, f.
consomme, m.
pot-au-f eu, m.
potage,m., soupe, f.
fraise, f.
entremets, m.
dinde, f.; dindon,
m-.
veau, m.
legumes
voll-T; poolay
kahee-yo
kanar
pwarsonh
shit
sTiamJihonh
Iceayvr
ronionh
an-o
sJiee-go
seetronh frappay
ommar
mootonh
pwarr
priin
porr
pomm der tair
lappinh
so-ss
s6-sis3
lay ay seefonh
sole
konhsommay
pot-O'fer
potarzh, soup
frayze
enhtrermay
dinhd, dinhdonh
vo
leggilin
Note on Pronunciation.
Eemember, the phonetic pronunciation is written in
English spelling. The same stress should be laid by the
beginner on each syllable in French.
98
soldiers' spoken FRENCH
Pakt IV.
VOCABULAEY OF MILITARY AND
OEDINARY WORDS.
English.
French.
Pronunciation.
Abandon
abandonner
obonMonnay
Abdomen
ventre
vanhtr
Able (to be)
V. pouvoir
poovwar
About
prep, autour de
otour der
Above
prep, au dessus de
6 dessil der
Accuse
V. accuser
aJcTcusay
Ache
n. mal
mal
Across
a travers
ar travvair
Action
n. action, f . bataille,
aksionh, tatt-t,
f. combat, m.(nav)
TcomJibar
Action (killed in)
tue a I'enneml
tuay ar lennmee
Act of bravery
action d' eclat
aksionh dayTclar
Adjutant
adjudant
azhudonh
Admiral
amiral
ammeerall
Admit
admettre
admettr
Advance
V. avancer
avanhsay
Aeroplane
aeroplane, m.
oeroplarn
Afield
en campagne
enh Icamhpine
Afoot
en marche
enh marrsh
Africa
rAfrique
laffreelc
After
apres
appray
Again
encore
anJikor
Against
centre
Tcontr
Age
£ige
arzTie
Ago
ily a
eel ee ar
Aid
aider, assister
ay day, assist ay
Aim
viser ;
vimy
soldiers' spoken FRENCH
99
EngUsh.
Frencli.
Pronunciation.
Aim! (take)
visez!
vizay
Air
n. air m.
airr
Alarm
alarme
alarrm
Alive
vivant
vcevonh
All
tout, toute, tous,
too, toot, too,
toutes
toot
All people
tout le monde
too ler monhd
Allow
permettre
pairmettr
Alone
adj. seul, e
serl
Along
prep, le long de
ler lonh der
Already
deja
dayzhar
Also
aussi
o-see
Altogether (quxte)
tout a fait
tootar fay
Always
toujours
toozhoor
Ambulance
n. ambulance, f.
ojihhiilonhss
Ambush.
embuscade, f.
enhbusskard
American
Americain, e
amerriTcanh
Ammunition
munitions
muneesionh
Among
parmi
parmee
Amputation
amputation
onhpiitarsionh
Anassthetic
anestliesique
annesstayzeek
Anchor
ancre, f .
onJikr
Angry
fache, e
farshay
Another
un autre, Tun
1' autre
ernotr; lernh lotf
Answer
V. repondre
rayponhdr
Answer
n. reponse f.
rayponhss
Any
quelque; du, de la,
des
Tcelker
Appetite
appetit, m.
appertee
Apple
pomme, f .
pom
Api)roach
s'approcher (de)
sapproshay
April
avril, m.
avreel
Arm (weapon)
arme, f.
arrm
100
soldiers' spoken FRENCH
English.
rrench.
Pronunciation.
Arm (to)
V. aimer
arr7/iay
Arms reversed
rarmesousle bras
I 'arrm soo ler hrar
Armour-plated
blinde, cuirasse
blernhday,
*
kweerassay
Army
armee, f.
arrmay
Around
autaiir de
otoor der
Arrest
V arreter. mettre
array tay; mettr
aux urrets
osarray
Arrival
arrivee, f .
arreevay
Arrive
arriver
arreevay
As
comme
kom
Ascend
monter
monhtay
Ashore (to go)
V, deharquer
dayharJcay
Ask
demander
dejnonMay
Asleep
endormi
onhdormee
Asleep (to be)
dormir
dorme&r
Assault
assaut, m.
asso
Astonish
etonner
aytonnay
At
a, en, dans, chez
Attack
attaque, f.
at-tack
Attempt
essayer
essayay
Attention!
garde a votis!
gard ar voo
Aunt
tante, f.
tanU
Australian
AustraUen
ostralienh
Austrian
autricbien
otreesMenh
Autumn
autorPTie, m.
otonn
Avenge
v.venger
vanhzhay
Aviator
aviateur, m.
avveatteur
Avoid
6viter
ayveetay
Await
attendre
attonhdr
Awake
s'eveiller
sayvayyay
Away-
loin
Iwarih
Awful
terrible
terreehl
Axle,
essiexi, m.
essieur
sc
LDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH 101
FrenciL
Frencli.
Pronunciation.
Baby
bebe
hehhay
Back
adv. en arridre
onarryair
Background
arridre plan
arryair plonh
Bacon
lard m.
larr
Bad
mauvals, e
movvay, movvase
Badge
brassard, m.
hrassar
j>
(ofiacer's) Insigne
anJiseen
Badly
adv. mal
mal
Bag
sac, m.
sach
Baggage
bag ages, m. pi.
laggarzh
Baker
boulanger
hoolanlishay
Bald
chauve
showv
Ball (cannon)
boulet, m.
hoolay
Ballast
lest, m.
lest
Balloon
ballon, m.^
lallonh
Band
musiqne, £s
muzeeh
Bandage
bandage, n^
hanlidarzh
Bandsman
soldat musicien
soldar miisissienh
Bar (of medal)
barrette, f.
har-rett
Barbed wire
fil de fer barbete,
feel der fair
m.
harhtay
Barbed wire clipper
rogneur de fil, etc.
roneur der feel, etc
Barbed wire en-
resaux de fil, etc.
rezo der feel, etc.
tanglements
Bareback
a poll
ar pwarl
Barracks
caserne f.
hazairn
(cavalry) quartier
Tcartiay
Basin
cuvette, f.
kiivett
Bath
bain, m.
hainh
Bathe
V. se baigner
set lainay
Battalion
bataillon, m.
hat-U-yonh
(i as in mine)
Battery
batterle, f .
batteree or bat'ree
Battle
bataille, f .
hatt'%
102
SOLDIEBS' SPOKEN FRENCH
English.
French.
Pronunciation.
Battle
combat, m.
TcomJibar
„ (to give)
livrer bataille
leevray batt-l
Bayonet
haicnette, m.
hi-yonett
Beard
barbe, f.
harrb
Bearer (flag of truce)
parlementaire, m.
parlermonhtair
Beat
hattre
battr
Beautiful
beau, bel, belle
bo, bell
Because
parce que
parss leer
Become
devenir
devenneer
Bed
lit, m.
lee
Beef
bceuf, m.
berf
Beer
biere, f .
beairf
Before
devant (place)
dcvvonh
avant (time)
avvoiih
Begin
commencer
Icommonhsay
Behind
derrl^re
derryair
Belgian
beige
belzJi
Belgium
Belgique
BelzJieeh
Believe
croire
Tcrwar
Bell
cioche, f.
Jclosh
Belongs
appartient
appartienh
Belt
ceinturon, m.
sanMuronh
Beneath
sous
SOO
Best
le meilleur, e
ler may-yeur
Between
entre
onhtr
Beware
prenez garde de
prennay qard der
Beyond
an dela de
delar der
Bicycle
bicycle, bicyclette
beeseeU, beesee-
Uett
billeting order
billet de logement,
bee-yay der
*
m.
lozhmenh
Bind
Uer
leeyay
Bind (a prisoner)
garrotter
garrottay
Bird
oiseaUf m.
wah'So
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
103
English.
FrenciL
Pronunciation.
Bit
morceau, m.
morso
Bite
mordre
mordr
Black
noir
71 war
Blade of »woTd
lame, f .
larm
Blanket
couverture, m.
Tcoovairtiire
Bleed
saigner
sainay
Blood
sang, m.
sonh
Blow
coup, m.
Tcoo
(swordthrust)
coup d'epee, m.
loo daypay
(whistle-blast)
coup de sifflet, m.
koo der sifflay
Board
planche, f .
plonhsh
Boat
bateau, m.
batto
Body
corps, m.
kor
Bolt (horse)
V. s'emporter,
sonhportay,
s'emballer
sonlallay
Bomb
bombe, f.
hornJi'b
Bone
OS, m.
OSS
Boot
botte, bottine, f.
bott, boiteen
Bora
ne, e
nay
Both
les deux, tous les
lay deur,
deux
too lay dewr
Bottle
bouteille, f.
bootdy
Bottom
bas, fond, m.
bar, fonh
Bow
salut, m.
sallii
Bowel
intestin, m.
inhtestinh
Bowl
bol, m.
bol
Box
boite, f.
bicart
Boxing
la boxe
lar box
Boy
garcon
garssonh
Boy (little)
enfant, el^ve
onhfayih, aylayve
Braces
bretelles, f.
brettell
Brandy
eau de vie, f.
der vee
Brave
brave
brarv
Bravery
bravoure, f .
brarvoor
104
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN FRENCH
English.
Break
Breakfast
Breathe
Breeches
Bridge
Bridge (to build a)
Bridle
Brief
Brigade
Brigadier-general
Bright
Bring
British
Broad
Broken
Brook
Broom
Brussels
Brutal
Bucket
Build
Built
Bull's eye (target)
Bundle
Burn
Burst
Bush
Business
Busy
Trencli.
V. casser
dejeuner, m.
V. respirer
culottes, f.
pent, m.
jeter nn pent
bride, f.
bref, breve;
court, e
brigade, f .,
general de brigade
brillant
V. apporter (to
carry to)
amener(to lead to)
britannique
large, grand
casse
ruisseau, m.
brosse, f.
Bruxelles
brutal, e
seau, m.
batir (ships),
construire
bati
mouche, f.
paquet, m. (hay),
botte f .
bruler
eclater
buisson, m.
affaire, f.
occupe
Prontmciation.
Tcassay
day-zher-nay
respeeray
Jcii-lott
ponh
zliettay
breed
breff, brave;
hour, kourt
bregard
zhaynayrdl de —
bree-yonh
opportay
aimn'nay
britanneeTc
larzhe, gronh
Tcassay
rweesso
bross
Brucksell
brutall
so
barteer
Iconlistrweef
bar-tee
moosh
paJcay,
bott
briday
ayhlatay
bweessonh
affair
oMpay
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
105
English.
Butt (of rifle)
Button
Buy
By
Cabbage
Cable
Calf
Calf (leg)
Call
Camp
Campaign
Camp-kettle
Can (to be able)
Can (lie)
Canadian
Canal
Candle
Cannot
Canteen
Cap (mil.)
Captain
Car (balloon)
Car (motor)
Carburettor
Care
Carriage
Carry
Carry away
Cart
Cartridge
Casualty
Cat
Catch
French.
Pronunciation.
crosse, f.
cross
bouton, m.
hootonh
V. acheter
asshtay
par
parr
chou, m.
shoo
cable, m.
kail
veau
v6
mollet, m.
mollay
appeler
appellay
camp, m.
Jconh
campagne, f.
kanlipine
marmite, f.
mar meet
V. pouvoir
poovwar
11 peut
eel per
Canadien, m.
kanardienh
canal, m.
kannal
bougie, f.
hoozJiee
chandelle, f .
shonhdel
nc peut pas
ner per par
cantine, f .
konhteen
n. kepi, m.
kaypee
capitaine
kappeetain
nacelle, f.
nas-sell
automobile, f .
otomoheel
carburateur, m.
karhilrarteur
soin, m.
swanh
voiture, f .
vwartiir
porter
portay
enlever, v.
enliJevay
voiture, f .
cartouche, f.
kartoosh
perte, f .
pairrt
chat, m.
shar
attraper, saisir
attrapay, sayzeer
106
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN FRENCH
English.
French.
Pronunciation.
Cauliflower
chou-fleur, m.
slioo-fleurr
Cease fire!
Cessez le feu!
Sessay ler fer!
Cellar
cave, f.
karv
Censor
censeur, ra.
sejihseurr
Chain
chains, f .
sliayne
Challenge
crier qui vive
Icreeay key veev
Chamber (room)
chamhre, f.
sliomhr
Change
V. changer
slianshay
Change-speed-gear
changement de
shonsliemonh der
Vitesse
veetess
Chaplain
aumonier
omoneay
Charge
charge, f.
sheer £lie
Charge (to)
charger, v.
sharzhay
Chat
V. causer
kosay
Cheap
hon marche
honh marshay
Cheat
V. se tromper
ser tronhpay
Cheerful
gai
gay
Cheering
applaudissements,
applodissmonh
Chemist
m.
pharmacien, m.
farmassienU
Cherry
cerise, f.
sereeze
Chicken (or fowl)
poulet, m.
poolay
Child
enfant
onlifonh
Choose
choisir
shioarzeer
Chop
cotelette, f.
kott-lett
Christmas
Noel, m.
no-ell
Church
egUse, f .
aygleeze
Claret
bordeaux, m.
Jbordo
Clean
propre
propr
Clear
Clair
Jclair
CHmb
V grimper
granlipay
Clock
(large) horloge, f.
orlozhe
(small) pendule f.
ponhdiil
Close up (to)
serrer Jes langs
sairay lay rank
SOLDIERS^ SPOKEN FRENCH
107
English.
Clothes
Cloudy
Clutch (mot.)
Colours (mil.)
Colour-sergeant
Column
Comb
Command
Common
Company
Conquest
Consul
Consult
Continue
Cook
Cork
Cork-serew
Corn
Corn on foot
Corporal
Cost
Cotton
Cough
Could, he
Countersign
Country
Courtesy
Cousin
Cover (n)
Cover (to take)
Cow
French.
habits, m.
nuageux, sombre
embrayage
drapeau, m.
sergent-major
colonne, f
p eigne, m.
V. commander
ccmmun
compagnie, f.
conquete, f .
consul, m.
consulter
V. continuer
cuire
bouchon, m.
tire-bouchon, m.
ble, m.
cor, m.
caporal, m.
V. cotiter
coton, m.
toux, f .
pouvait, a pu, il
mot, m.
(general term)
pays, m.
(not town)
campagne, f.
politesse, f.
cousin, e
convert, m.
s'abriter, v.
vache, f.
Pronunciation.
abhee
nuarzheur, sonkhr
ohnbrayarzh
drappo
sairzJiojiJi-marzhor
Icollonn
payne
Tcommanhday
Jcommunh
Tcompi-nee
JconhTcate
Iconhsiil
Jconhsiiltay
Jcontiniiay
Tcweer
booshonh
teerr — •
May
Tcorr
kapporal
Tcootay
Jcottonh
too
poovay, ar pii, eel
mo
pay-ee
Iconhpine
polleetess
Tcouziiih, Tcouzeen
Icoovair
sdbhreetay
varsh
108
SOLDIERS * SPOKEN FRENCH
EngUsh.
French.
Pronunciation.
polltronh
Coward
poltron
Cream
creme, f .
Icrame
Cross (to)
croiser, v.
hrwarzay
Crush (to)
^eraser, v.
aylcrarzay
Crutch
bequille, f .
layJcee
Cure .
gu^rison, f .
guerrizonh
Cut to)
couper, V.
Jcoopay
Cyclist
cycliste
seeMeest
Dam
barrage, m.
harrarzh
Damp
bumide
iimeed
Dane
Danois
danwar
Danger
danger, m.
donhzhay
Dare
oser
ozay
Dark
obscur, noir
ohsTciir, nwar
Darkness
nuit, f .
nwee
Date
date, f.
datt
Date (fruit)
datte, f.
datt
Daughter
fiUe, f .
fee-e
Day
jour, m.
shoor
Day (whole)
journee, f.
zJioornay
Day's march
etape, f.
aytap
Deaf
sourd, e
soor, soord
Dear
Cher, chere
share
Death
mort, f .
more
Debt
dette, f.
dett
Deck (of ship)
pont, m.
ponh
Deed
action, f., fait, m.
aJcsionh, fay
Deep
prof ond, e
profonJi
Defeat
defaite, f .
dayfate
Defence
defense, f.
dayfonhse
Defend (forbid)
defendre
dayfonhdr
Demand
demander,
dermonhday,
r^clamer
rayJclamoy
Dentist
dentiste
donhteest
60LDIEBS' SPOKEN FRENCH
109
English.
French.
Pronunciation.
Deny
V nler
neeay
Depart
partlr
parfeer
Depth
profondeur, f.
profonhderr
Descend
descendre
dessonMr
Deserve
meriter
mayreetay
Desire
desirer
dayseeray
Despatch
n. d^peche, f.
daypaysh
Destroy
detmire
daytrweer
Detachment
detachement, m.
daytashmonh
Die
V. mourlr
mooreer
Difficult
difficile
diffeeseel
Dig
V. creuser
krersay
Dine
V. diner
deenay
Dining-car
wagon-restaurant m.
vargonh-restoronh
Dinner
diner, m.
deenay
Dip (aeroplane)
piquer
peekay
Dirty
sale
sal
Discharge
decharge, f.
daysharzh
(firearms)
Discover
decouvrir, v
dayhoovreer
Disguise (in war)
n. camouflage
kamooflarzh
Dismount!
pied ^ terre!
piay dar lair
Distance
distance, f.
deestonhss
Ditch
fosse, m.
fossay
Dive (aero.)
plonger
plonhzhay
Double
double
doo'bl
Down
adv. en bas
onh hat
Down (get)
descendezi
dessonhday
Do, make
faire
fair
Done
fait
fay
Drill
V. exercer
exairsay
Drinking-water
eau potable, f.
potarhl
Drive off
chasser, v.
shassay
Driver
conducteur
konJidukterr
110
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Englisli.
French.
Prommciation.
Dry
sec, seche
seek, sessh
"Dug out'*
casemate-abri, f.
hazmart abhree
During
pendant
ponhdanh
Dutch
Hollandais
oll-onhday
Earth, ground
terre, f.
tair
Earthworks
terrassement, m.
terrcLSsmonh
Easy
facile
faseel
Elder
aine
aynay
Embarking
embarquement, m.
OJihbarkmonh
Empty
vide
veed
Encamp
camper
konhpay
End
fin, f .
fainh
Engagement
a<;tion, f.; affaire, f.
aksionh, affair
j>
combat, m.
korribar
Engine
machine, f.
maslieen
England
Angleterre, f .
onhglertair
Enlist
enroler
onlirolay
Enough
assez
assay
Enter
entrer dans
onhtray donh
Envelope,
enveloppe, f.
oiihvellop
Epsom salts
sel anglais, m.
sell onhglay
Equal
egal
aygal
Equipment
eqiiipement, m.
aykcepmonh
Escape
echapper a
ayshappay ar
Even
meme
maim
Ever
toujours, jamais
toochoor, zhammay
Excavate
deblayer
dayhloyay
Exhaust (mot.)
echappement, m.
ayshapmonh
Explode
eclater
ayklattay
Express train
train degrande
tranh der gronhd
Vitesse
veetess
Eyes front!
fixe!
fe6x
Fall in!
a vos rangs!
ar vo ranh
Fall back (to)
se retirer
ser rerteeray
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN FRENCH
111
English.
French.
Pronunciation.
Far
loin
Iwanh
Fatigue duty
corvee, f.
korvay
FeU (a tree)
ahattre (un arhre)
ahbatr
Field
cbamp, m.
shonh
Field day
jour d* esercice
zhoor dexaircease
Field (in the)
en campagne
onh Jcomhpine
Field hospital
hopital de camp
pit all der kanh
Field-marshal
marechal
marayshall
Fight
combat, m.
komJibar
Fight a battle<to)
livrer une bataille
leevray un hatt-l
Fighting unit
unite de combat, f .
iineetay der kombaf
Find (to), think
trouver
troovay
Fire
feu, m.
fer
Fireman
chauffeur
sJiowfur
Fish
poisson, m.
pwarssonh
Fit-up (to)
monter
monhtay
Flag
drapeau, m.
drappo
Flag (to hoist)
arborer
arhoray
Flag of truce
drapeau blanc
drappo hlonh
Flagstaff
hampe, f.
omhp
Flee
fuir; s'enfuir, v.
fweer; sonhfweer
Fleet
flotte, f .
fiott
Flight
fuite, f.
fu-eet
Flour
farine, f.
fareen
Food
vivres, m.
veevr
»
nourriture, f.
nooreetur
For
pour
poor
Ford
gue, m.
gay
Forest
f oret, f .
foray
Forget
oublier
oohJeeay
Fork
fourchette, f.
foorshett
Fort
fort, m.
for
Fortification
fortification, f.
forteef eekarsionh
Forward!
en avant!
onavanh
112
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN FRENCH
English.
Prench.
Prontmciation.
Found
trouve
troovay
Fracture
tracture, m.
fralctur
Fresh
frais, fralche
fray, fraysh
From
de
der
Fruit
fruits, pi., m.
frwee
Fuse
fus6e, f.
fiizay
Gallop
galoper, v.
gallopay
Game
jeu, m.
zher
Garrison
gamison, f.
garneezonh
Gas
gaz, m.
garz
Gas-bag
enveloppe, f.
onhvellop
Gate
porte, f.; grille, f.
port, gree-e
Gather
assembler
assornhblay
Gay
gai
gay
Gear
engrenage, m.
onhgrennarzh
Get
obtenir, avoir
ohtenneer, avvwar
Get up
SB lever
ser levvay
Girdle belt
ceinture, f.
sinhtiir
Girl
fille, f.
fee-e
Give
donner
donnay
Glad
bien aise, content
hianayze, Jconhtank
Glass
verre, m.
vair
Glove
gant, m.
gonh
Go
V. aller
allay
Goal
but, m.
hu
Goat
chdvre, f.
shayvr
Goodness
bonte, f .
bonhtay
Goose
Die, f .
wah
Grapes
raisins, m.
rayzinh
Greece
Grdce
grayce
Grey
gris, e
gree, greeze
Guard
garde, f.
garrd'
Guard, turn out!
aux armes!
ozarrm
Gun (small)
fusil, m.
fiizee-e
SOLDIEES' SPOKEN FRENCH
113
English.
Gun (large)
Gun cotton
Gunner
Halt!
Ham
Hand (clock)
Handful
Handkerchief
Harness
Hay
Heavy artillery
Hedge
Hilt
Hit (on target)
Hoist (flag)
Horse
Horseshoe
Hospital
Howitzer
Hut
Identification disc
Ignition
In, into
Indeed!
Indiambber
Infantry
Infantry soldier
Informaion
Intelligence
department
Interesting
Intrenched
Ireland
French.
canon
coton-pondre, m.
canonnier, m.
halte-UI
jambon, m.
aiguille, f.
poignee, f.
mouchoir, m.
hamais, m.
foin, m.
grosse artillerie
haie, f.
poignee, f .
coup au hut, m.
hisser, v.
cheval
(pi. chevaux)
fer, m.
hopital, m.
obusier, m.
baraque, f.
plaque d'identite
allumage, m.
dans, en
vraiment!
caoutciiouc, m.
infanterie, f.
piou-piou
renseignement, m.
Service des
renseignements
int^ressant
retranch^
rirlande, £.
Pro ntmclation.
karwrih
kottonh poodr
Tcannonniay
allt-l^T
shomhonh
aygwee
pwoinay
mooshwar
armay
fwonh
gross arteeyerie
aye
pwoinay
Tcoo o hii
eessay
sh 'vail
sh'vo
fair
oppeetal
ohuzeay
hararh
plarlc deedoiihteetay
allumarzh
donh, onh
may monk
kaowtchook
inhfanJiteree
peeou peeou
renhsaynemenh
Sairveece des
renJisaynemenh
anhtairessonh
retrcnhshay
leerlonhd
114
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Englisb.
French.
Pronunciation.
Iron (corrugated)
tole ondulee, f.
toll onhdiilay
Jack (screw-)
eric, m.
kreele
Jam
confiture, f.
konhfeetuT
Japan
le Japon
shapponh
Join (to)
rejoiudre
rerzhwarndr
Kitchen
cuisine, f.
kweeseen
Knapsack
havresac, m.
arvrersack
Kneell
genoTi terre!
shemoo tair
Knife (pen)
canif, m.
han-eef
„ (table)
couteau, m.
koo-toe
Knife, fork, and
couvert, m.
koovair
spoon
Know (to)
connaitre
(a person)
konnaytr
Ladder
echelle, f.
ay -shell
Lance-corporal
8l^v8 caporal, m.
aylayve kaporal
Landing, detraining
debaiquement, m.
daybarkmenh
Late
tard
tarr
Leader
chef, m.
sheff
Leave
cong6
konhzhay
Leave (on)
en permission
onh pairmissiofiJl
Left
gauche
gosch
Lie (to tell a)
mentir, v.
menhteer
Lie down (to)
se ccucher
ser koosliay
Lieutenant
lieutenant
luTt *nanh.
Lighthouse
phare, m.
far
Like
c crime
ko-m
Lint
charpie, f.
sharrpee
Live (exist)
vivrs
veevr
Live (in a place)
deraeurer, hal;iter
dermerray;
ahheetay
Look (at)
regarder
rergarday
Look out
garde a vous
gard ar voo
Loosen (to)
lacher, v.
larshay
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN FRENCH
115
English.
Losses
Lost
Machine-gun
Mane
Map
March (to)
March (forced)
March-past
Mark time!
Match
Medicine
Military man
Mine
Missing
More
Motor
Motor-car
Motor cycle
Mount!
Much
Muster
Nasty
Nearly
Necessary
Needle
Never
New (new-made)
Newspaper
New Zealand
Next
Nice
Night
Nobody
French.
Pronunciatioa.
pertes, f .
pairt
perdu
pairdii
mitrailleuse, f .
mitt-n-yerse
crini^re, f.
Tcreeneair
carte, f.
Tcarrt
marcher
marshay
marche forcee, f.
marsh forrsay
defile, m.
dayfeelay
raarquez le pas
marJcay ler par
allumette, f .
alliimett
medecine, f.
med*seen.
militaire, m.
meeleetai^
mine, f.
rneen
disparu
deesparii
plus
plil
moteur, m.
moturr
aritomohile, m.
otomoheel
moto cyclette
motoseeJclet
a cheval!
ar sh*vall
heaucoup de
hokoo der
ramasser, v.
ramassay
mauvais, e
movvay
presque
presslcer
necessaire
naysessair
aiguille, f.
aygwee
ne jamais
ner. . . .zhammay
neuf, neuve
nerf, nerve
journal, m. *
zJioornal
la Nouvelle
nooyell zaylonhd
Zelande
prochain, e
proshanhf proshayn
hon
honh
nuit, f.
nwee
no personne
ner pair-sonn
116
60LDIEES' SPOKEN FRENCH
English.
FtenclL
Pronunciation.
Norway
la Norvege, f .
norvayzhe
Not
ne pas
ner. . . .par
Nothing
ne rien
ner rienh
November
novembre, m.
novvanhhr
Now
maintenant
manht 'nonh
Number (many)
nombre, m.
norihhr
Number (of man,
house)
numero, m.
nilmairo
Number, to
numeroter
niimerottay
Nurse
infirmifere, garde-
malade
inhf eermeair
Nut (screw)
ecrou, m.
ayTcroo
Nut (to eat)
noix, £.
nwar
Oats
avoine, f .
avwoin
Off (to take)
oter
otay
Office
bureau, m.
huro
Officer
officier
offeesiay
Often
souvent
soovanh
Oil
huile, f .
tveel
Oil-can
burette, f.
hilrett
One another
Pun Pautre
lernh lotr
Pune Pautre, etc.
liin lotr
Open
ouvrir
oovreer
Open (p.p.)
ouvert
oovair
Order
commander
TcommanMay
Orderly (hospital)
infirmier, m.
inhfeermeeay
Other
autre
otr
Outpost
avant-poste, m.
avvonh posst
Overthrow
culbuter, v.
kulbiitay
Pace
allure, f .
allurr
Paper
papier, m.
pap -y ay
Parade
parade, f.
parard
Parley (to)
parlementer
parlermonhtay
Paymaster
tresorier
traysoriay
SOLDIEES' SPOKEN FBENCH
117
English.
French.
Prontmciation.
Pay (soldier's)
solde, f.
solid
Peace
paix, f.
pay
Pen
plume, f.
plum
Perhaps
pent etre
pert aytr
Petrol
essence, f .
essonhss
Pick (implement)
pioche, f .
peeosh
Piece
morceau, m.
morso
Pilot
pilote, m.
pee-lott
Pistol
pistolet, m.
peestolay
Plunder
pillage, m.
pee-yarzh
Pontoon
ponton, m.
ponhtonh
Powder
poudre, f.
poodr
Prisoner
prlsonnier
preesonniay
Private
simple soldat
sanhpl soldat
Quantity
quantite, f.
konhteetay
Quarrel (to)
quereller;
Jcerrellay;
se disputer
ser. deespiitay
Quart (meas.)
litre, m.
leetr
Quarter (4th)
quart, m.
Tcarr
Quarter (to give)
faire quartier
fair Tcartiay
Quartered
en quartier
cnh kartiay
Quay
quai, m.
Tcay
Queen
reine, f.
rain
Question
question, f .
Jcesstionh
Quick
vif, ardent
veef, arrdonh
Quick time
pas accelere
parzaTcselleray
Quickly
vite
veet
Quiet
tranquille
ironhJceel
Quiet! (Bo)
restez tranquille!
resiay tronhJceel
taisez-vous
tayzay voo
Railway
chemin de fer, m.
sheminli der fair
Eailway carriage
voiture, f.
vvjartiir
Eailway van
wagon, m.
vargonh
Bain
pluie, t
plwee
118
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
Snglish.
Eaise
Eange (within)
Eank
Eazor
Eead
Eeceipt
Eecoil
Eecruit (pop.)
Eecniit
Eed Cross
Eeinforcement
Eepulse
Best (to)
Eetreat
Return (come back)
Eeview
Eifle
Eight
Eight turn!
Eiver
EoU-call
Eoute march
Rule
Bun
Bush
Saddle
Salt
Salute
Salute (to^
Saluting the colours
Same (the)
French.
Saturday
lever; soulever, v.
a port6e
rang, m.
rasoir, m.
lire
regu, m.
reculer, v,
hleu, m.
recrue, f .
Croix Eougc, f.
renfbrt, m.
echec, m.
se reposer
retraite, f.
revenir
revue, f.
fusil, m.
droit, e
demi a droits!
fleuve, m.
appel, m.
promenade
militaire
rdgle, f.
courir
bond, m.
selle, f.
sel, m.
salut, m.
V, saluer
salut au drapeau
le meme, la meme,
les memes
Samedi, m.
Pronunciation.
leevay, soolevay
ar ■portay
rank
razwar
leer
ressU
reJculay
bier
relcrii
Krwar roozh
ronhforr
aysheck
ser rerpozay
rertrayt
revveneer
revu
fuzeee
drwar, drwart
demmee ar drwart
flerv
appell
prom '7iard
meeleetair
raigl
Jcooreer
horih
sell
sell
sallii
saliit-o-drappo
ler maim, lar maim,
lay maim
samdee
SOLDIERS * SPOKEN FRENCH
119
EngUsi
I.
Trencii.
Pronunciation.
Saucepan
casserole, f.
kasserol
Sausages (small)
saucisses, f.
sosiss
„ (large)
saiicissons
sossissonh
Scarf, sling
echarpe, f.
aysharp
School
ecole, f.
aylcoll
Scout
eclaireur
ayclaireur
Screw
vis, f .
vis
Secretary for War
Ministre de la
mineestr der lar
guerre
gai?
Seems (it)
11 semble
eel sonhvl
Send
envoyer
onhvoyay
Sentry
sentinelle, f .
sonhteenell
Sergeant
sergent, m.
sairzJionh
Shake
secouer
seTcooay
Sheath
fourreau, m.
foor-ro
Shed
hangar, m.
onh-garr
Sheep
mouton, m.
mootonh
Sheet
drap, m.
drar
Shell
oTdus, m.
61)113
Shelter
at)ri, m.
dbhree
Ship
bateau, m.
haito
Ship of war
vaisseau, m.
vesso
Shirt
chemise, f.
shemeeze
Shoe
Soulier, m.
sooliay
Shoot
tirer
teeray
Shoot down
(to)
abattre d'un coup
ahhatr dernh Jcoo
de feu
der fer
Shop
magasin, m.;
magazinh;
boutique, f.
booteelc
Shot
coup, m.
l:oo
Shout
crier
Icreeay
Shovel
pelle, f.
pell
Shovel and
spade
pelle-becbe, £.
pell baysh
(trench tool)
120
SOLDIERS ' SPOKEN FRENCH
English.
Side
Since
Site
Slow
Slowly
Smoke
Smoke (to)
Sold
Somebody
Sometimes
Son
Soon
Sore, wound
Sound the alarm
Soup
Spade
Spare
Sparking-plug
Speak
Spend
Spoon
Spring (season)
Spur
Spy
Spy (to)
Square formation
Stable
Staff
Stamp (postage)
Stand up
Station
Stay
French.
cote, m.
depuis
emplacement, m.
lent, e
lentement
fiunee, f.
fumer, v.
vendu
quelqu'un;
quelques-uns
quelquefois
fils, m.
bientot
plaie, f.
battre la generate,
V.
soupe, £.
beche, f.
^pargner
bougie, f.
parler
depenser
cuiller, f.
printemps, m.
eperon, m.
espion, m.
espionner, v.
carre, m.
ecurie, f.
etat-major, m.
timbre, m.
se tenir debout
gare, f.
rester
Fronunciation.
Icotay
derpwee
onhplarsmonh
lonh, lonht
lonhtmonh
fumay
fumay
vonhdii
Tcelkerjih
TcelTcerzernh
TcelJcerfwar
feece
bienhtoe
play
battr lar
shaynayral
soup
baysh
ayparnay
hoozhee
parrlay
dayponJisay
Icwee-yair
prinhtenh
aypaironh
esspeeonh
espeeonnay
Tcarray
ayMree
aytar mazhor
tinhhr
ser tenneer debho
garr
restay
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
121
English.
Trench.
Pronunciation.
Stockings
bas, m.
hah
Straw
paiUe, f.
pi(yeh)
Strength
force, f.
forss
Stretcher
brancard, m.
bronhTcarr
Stretcher-bearer
brancardier, m.
hranhlcardiaif
Suffer
souffrir
suffreer
Summer
ete, m.
aytay
Sunday-
dimanche, m.
deemonhsh
Take
prendre
prenhdr
Take off
oter
o-tay
Talk
parler
parrlay
Target
cible, f.
seehl
Telephone (to)
telephoner
taylayfonajf
Tell
dire
deerr
Tent
tente, f.; pavilion,
tenht; paveeyonh
That
(conj.) que;
ker;
(pron.) ce, cette,
ser, sett, say
ces
There
U;7
tar; ee
Thick
epais, epaxsse
aypay, aypayce
Thin
maigre
■maygr
Thin^
chose, f.
shows
Thought
pensee; id^e, f.
ponhsay; eeday
Thousand
miile
meel
Thursday
jeudi, m.
zherdee
Till, until
jusqu' a ce que
shiikars'lcer
Time
temps, m.; fois, f.
toah; ftuar
Tin
etain, m.
aytanh
Tip (money)
pourbolre, pa.
poortwar
Tobacco
tabac, m.
tahhar or tah-lak
To-day
aujourd'Uui
o-zhourd-we^
To-morrow
demain
dermanh
*' Tommy Atkins''
(Fr.) poilu, m.
pwarlii
122
Snglisli.
SOLWEES' SPOKEN FRENCS
French. Pronunciation.
Too much
Tool
Toothache
Tooth-brush
Torpedo boat
Touch (to)
Towel
Trace (horse)
Transport
Trenches
Trooper
Troops
Trough
Trowsers
True
Trust (to)
Try
Tuesday
Typhoid
Uncle
Under
Under cover
Understand
Undertake
Unfortunate
Unharness
Unhook guns
Unite
Unless
Unpack
Useful
Useless
Valve
trop de
oulil, m.
mal aux dents
brosse a dents, f.
torpilleur, m.
toucher
serviette, f.
trait, m.
transport, m.
tranche es, f.
cavalier
troupes
abreuvoir, m.
pantalon, m.
vrai, e
se fier k
essayer
mardi, m.
fievre typhoide, f.
oncle, m.
sous, au dessus de
a rabri
comprendre
entreprendre
malheureux
deteler, v.
unir, jolndre
a moins que
depaqueter
utile
inutile
soupape, f.
trd der
ootee
mal donh
hross ar denh
torpee-yeur
tooshay
sairvee-ett
tray
tranlisporr
tronhshaif
kavaleay
troop
ahbrervwar
panJitallonh-
way
ser feeay ar
essayay
marr^ee
feeayvr teefwd{r)d
onhTcl
soo, 6 dessii der
ar labhree
IcompronJidr
onhtr 'pronhdr
mal-er-rer
daytellay
iin-eer, zhwarndr
ar moynh ker
daypaJctay
iiteel
eeniiteel
soopapp
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
123
English.
French.
Pronunciation.
Vanish
s'evanouir
sayvan-weer
Varicose vein
varice f.
varreess
Veal
veau, m.
vo
Very
trds
tray
Vet.
veterinaire, m.
vetairinair
Voice
voix, f.
vwar
Volley
volee, f.
volay
Voyage
voyage, m.
voyarzh
Wagon
■wagon, m
vargonh
Waist-belt
ceinturon, m.
sinhturonh
Waistcoat
gilet, m.
Bheelay
Waiter
garcon, m.
garrsonh
Wales
le pays de Galles
Gal
War
guerre, f.
gair
War office
ministdre de la
ministair der la
guerre
gair
Warrant officer
maitre d' equipage
maytr dekkiparzh
Warship
batiment de
guerre, m.
battimenh der gair
Watch (ship)
le quart
Jcarr
Watch (to be on)
etre aux aguets
aytr oz aggay
Water (horses)
abreuver, v.
aJjhrervay
Water bottle
bidon, m.
heedonli
Wednesday
mercredi, m.
mairhrerdee
Weigh
peser, v.
perzay
Well
puits, m.
pwee
Welsh
gallois
gallwar
Wheel
roue, f.
TOO
Wheel into colnmn
rompre en colonne
ronJipr en Tcolonn
When?
quand?
Icoiih
Where
ou
00
Where?
oft?
00
Whistle
slffler
seefflay
Whistle-call
coup de sifflet
Icoo der seefflay
124
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FREHJCm
English.
FrenclL
Pronunciation.
White
blanc, blanche
llonh, llonshe
Win
gagner, v.
ganay
Wine
vin, m.
vanh
Wing
aile, f.
ayle
Winter
hiver, m.
eevair
With
avec
avvek
Wool
laine
layn
Wool (cotton)
ouate, f .
ooart
Wound
blessure, f.
hlessiir
Wound (to)
blesser, v.
blessay
Wrist
poignet, m.
pwoinay
Write
V. ecrire
aylcreer
Tear
an, m.; (whole
year) annee, f.
ajih; annag
Yellow
jaune
zTione
Yesterday
hier
ee-air
Yes
GUi; (after nega-
weeh;
tive) si
see
Yet
encore
onhkor
Yonder
la-bas
lar bar
Young
jeune
zhern
Zone of Are
champ de tlr
shonh der teer
Chasseurs
d'Afrique
Spahis
Turcos
Zouaves
FRENCH TROOPS.
Shasserr daffreeTc
Spa{r)-ee
TilrTco
Zoo-arv
French cavalry
Native troops from
N. Africa;
(cavalry)
Native troops,
Tunisians, Arabs,
etc. (infantry)
French infantry
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
125
GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES.
N.B. Names of countries ending in e are all feminine.
Karnes of countries require the article in French as La France, France.
French.
Afrique
Aisne, B.
AUemagne
Amerique
Amiens
Angleterre
Anvers
Ardeimes
Armentieres
Arras
Australia
Autriche
BalticLue
Bapamne
Bavesnes
Bazentin
Beaucourt
Beaumont
Belglque
Bezonvaux
Boisselle
Bretagne
Bulgarie
Cambrai
Chambrette
Charleroy
Corables
Contalmaison
Courcelette
Pronunciation.
Afreek
Ayne
Al-mi-ne
Amayreek
Am-mienh
Ong-ler-tqir
Onhvair
Arr-denn
Arrmonh-tee-air
Ar-rar
Os-tra-lee
O-treesch
Bal-teeh
Bapp-ome
Bavvayn
Bazzoiihtinh
Bo-Jcoor
Bo-monh
Bell-2lieeTc
Bezzonh-vo
Bwar-sell
Brett-ine
Biilgarree
KomJibray
Shomhrett
Sharler-rwar
Komlihl
Konhtallmaysonh
Koorsellett
EngUsh.
Africa
America
England
Antwerp
Australia
Austria'
Baltic
Belgium
Brittany (France)
Bulgaria
126
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
French.
Pronunciation.
DanyiemarJc
English.
Danemark, m.
Denmark
Delville
Dellveel
Douay
Dooay
Douvres
Doovr
Dover
Ecosse
A ykoss
Scotland
Egypte
AyzTieeyt
Egypt
Espagne
Esspiiie
Spaia
Falfemont
Fal-fc-monh
riandre
Flonhdr
Flandera
Flers
Flare
Fontenay
Fonhternay
France
Franhss
France
Fricourt
Freelcoor
Froide Terre
Frward Taire
Galles (Pays de)
Gall (Pay-ee der)
Wales
Galle (La
Gall (Lar Noovell)
New South Wales
Nouvelle)
Gommecourt
Gommkoor
Guillemont
Guee-er-monh
Grande Bretagne
Oronhd Brett-ine
Great Britain
Grece
Grayce
Greece
Grevillers
Grervee-yay
Hamel
Ammel
Hardecourt
Ard'-koor
Haudromont
Odro-monh
HoUande
OUonhdd
Hongrie
Ongree
Irlande
Eer-lonTidd
Ireland
Ijles
Eerles
Italia
Eetallee
Italy
Japon, m.
Zhapponh
Japan
La Boisselle
Lar Bwarssell
La Mancbe
Lar MonJish
The English
Channel
SOLDIERS' SPOKEN FRENCH
127
French.
Pronunciation.
English.
Less
Lonhss
Le Sars
Ler Sarr
Leuze (Wood)
Leurze
Lesbceufs
Laij-ler
Li^ge
Lee-ayzh
Ligny
Leeilee
Lille
Leel
Longueval
Lonhgervall
Louvemont
Loovmonh
Manche (la)
Monhsh
The English
Channel
Maricourt
MarreeTcoor
Manie
Marrn
Mer
Mair
Sea
Mer du Nord
Mair du norr
North Sea
Meuse
Merze
M^zleres
Mez-e-air
St. Mihiel
Sank Mee-yel
Miraumont
Meer-o-monh
MontauI)an
Monht-o-honh
Montmedy
Monh-maydee
Mortliomme
Morrt-omm
Morval
Morr-vall
Mouquet
Moo-kay
Nord
Norr
North
Normandie
Norr-monh-dee
Normandy
Norv^ge
Nor-vayze
Norway
Nouvelle-Z^lande
Noovell Zaylonhd
New Zealand
Oise
Warze
Paris
Parr-ee
Paris
Pas de Calais
Par der Kallay
Straits of Dover
Peronne
Payronn
Poivxe
PwarvT
Pojvre (Peppey>
128
SOLDIERS* SPOKEN FRENCH
rrench.
Pronunciation.
Peairr-ponh
Eng
Pierrepont
Pologne
Poll-oyne
Poland
Portugal
Port-ii-gall
Portugal
Pozieres
Poz-iair
St. Quentin
Sanh Konhtinh
Eeims
Banliz
Bensart
Eonhsarr
Eoubaix
Roohay
Rouen
Boo-anh.
Bussie
Ttuss-ee
Russia
Sars (le)
Sarr
Sainte Menehoud
Sanht Maynoo
St. Pierre Vaast
Sanh Peairr
Va{r)st
St. MiMel
Sanh Mee-yel
Seine
Sayne
Seine, R
Serbia
Sairlee
Serbia
Serre
Sairr
Somme
Somm
Thiepval
Teepvall
Thionville
Teeonhveel
Trieste
Tree-est
Turquifi
Tiirr-Tcee
Turkey
Verdun
Vair-dunh
Vaucherauvllle
Vo-sher-o-veel
Ypres
Eep^r
,
INDEX.
Able, 44, 83, 98.
Adjectives, 12, 13, 21, 89, 57.
Advance! (sound), 96.
Adverbs, 66.
Age, 70.
Ago, 47..
Aimer, 43, 45, 46, 52, 54, 63.
Aller, 31, 44, 45, 47, 48, 59, 77, 78.
Apple, 96.
Apportez-moi, 11.
Articles, 40, 41
Asking one's way, 89, 90, 91.
Asking questions, 17, 18, 19, 22
24, 33, 34, 59.
Asseyez-vous. 59.
Attack, 96.
An, k la, aux, 27-28.
Avoir, 15, 17, 18, 74.
Bandage, 94.
Be, 16, 22, 47, 59. 60. 81.
Be able, 44, 83, 98.
Beau, 21.
Bed, 102; to ask for. 92.
Bedroom, 92.
Behind, 91.
Be silent, 85.
Bill, 92.
Body, parts of, 67, 68, 69.
Break, 43, 52, 77. 95.
Breakfast, 92.
Bridge, 90.
Bring, 95.
Broken, 95.
Camouflage, 109.
Can, 44, 83.
Cardinal numerals, 21, 22, 23, 48,
49.
Carry, 77, 95.
Cass6, 95.
Cause, 81. _ ,
Ce, cette, ces, 20, 21, 62.
Ceci, cela, 70.
Celui, celle, 70.
Cheveux, 58, 91.
Coinage, 49, 50.
Cold, 15, 89, 94.
Collar-bone, 95.
Come, 33, 47, 86.
Comment, li.
Conjugations, 42.
Conjunctions, 67.
Conversation, 13, 14, 17, 19, 24,
25, 26, 28, 34, 35, 36, 40, 41,
45, 46, 47, 56, 62, 64, 65. 69,
89 to 9G.
Countries, names o'f, 125.
Courir, 78, 79, 95.
Couvert, 111.
Couvrir, 79.'
Cover, 79, 95.
Cure, 95.
Days of the week, 60.
Degree of adjectives, 57.
Depart, 47, 82.
Devant, 64.
Dinner, 92.
Dire, 33, 79, 87.
Do, 81.
Doctor, 42, 95.
Donner, 32, 55, .56, 74..
Dormir, 80.
Dress oneself, 59.
Droit, 20, 89.
Droite, 20, 90.
Du, de la, des, 8, 11, 30. 31.
130
INDEX
Ecrire, 80, 87
En, 28, 58.
English, 30, 93, 94-
Envelopes, 92.
Envoyer, 80, 81.
Est-ce?, 24.
Est-ce que?, 24.
Etre, 16, 22, 47, 59, 60, 74, 81, 87
Every, all, 67
Faire, 81, 88.
Feel, 84.
Feminine of adjectives, 12, 21, 57
Fight, 60.
Finir, 43, 45, 46, 75, 77.
Finish, 43, 45, 46. 75, 77
FoiS, 26.
Follow, 85.
Food, 8, 30, 31. 38, 42. 96, 97-
French, 93.
Future Tenses, 48, 52, 53;, 77
Geographical names, 125-128i
Go. 44, 45, 47, 59, 78
Go away, 82, 83
Go out, 85.
Greetings, 89
Guerir, 95
Habiller, 59.
Hair, 58, 93.
Have, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18. 69, 70.
Help!, 94.
Help me!, 94.
Hill, 90.
Hold, 86
"Hold your tongue," 86.
Hospital, 95.
How many?, 15.
Hungry, to be, 15, 69
Hurt. 69, 95
If you please, please, 8.
II fait, 70, 71.
II faut, 20.
II y a, 35, 47, 58.
Infinitive used for Pres. Participle,
77.
Imperative Mood, 54, 59, 86.
Imperfect Tenses, 74, 7 5, 76.
Interjections, 67.
Interrogative Pronouns, 63. 64.
Know. 28, 84
Laugh, 83, 84.
Le, la, les, 6, 7, 37, 41, 55, 50
Left, to the, 20, 90.
Lequel, laquelle, etc., 64, 65
Letters, 9, 72, 73, 96,
Levez-vous, 59.
Lights out, 96.
Like, 43, 114.
Lire, 81, 82, 88.
Live, 86.
Love, 43, 46, 52, 54.
Luggage, 92.
Lunch. 92.
Make, '81, 96.
Mai, 69, 95.
March, 54.
Matter, it does not, 26.
Matter, what is the, with you?, 61
Meals, 26, 96, 97.
Measures of length, 49. 50
Merci, 8, 21.
Mettre, 59, 60, 82.
Mettre, se, 82.
Milk, 31
Months of year, 30.
Montrez-mol, 10
Mou, 21
N'est-ce pas?, 33.
Negatives, 18, 19, 22, 62.
Next, 48.
Notepaper, 92.
Nouveau, 21,
Number, 40, 92,
Numerals, 21, 22, 23, 48, 49.
INDEX
131
Offer. 82.
Officers, 96.
Ofirir, 82.
Cn. 62.
Once, twice, etc.. 26
Open, 82
Ordinal numerals, 49.
Qui, 8.
Ouvrlr, 82.
Piiin, 69, 95.
Paper (note), 92. (news), 93.
Parler, 33.
Participles, past, 45, 46.
Participles, present, 87, 88.
Partir, 47, 82, 83.
Parts of the Body, 67, G8, 69.
Past tenses, 46, 47.
Perdu, 80.
Pitch tents, 96.
Phrases, 89 to 96.
Pleuvoir, 83.
Plurals, 7, 10, 39, 50, 57, 50.
Porter, 77, 95.
Possessive adjective*, 39.
Possessive case, 31.
Possessive pronouns. 63.
Pour aller, 31.
Pouvoir, 44. 83.
Prenez, 95.
Prepositions, 64, 66.
Present tenses, 32, 33, 53.
Prochain, 48.
Promener, se, 59.
Pronouns, 37, 39, 40, 41, 54, 55,
56, 63, 66, 70.
Pronunciation, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11,
14, 40. 41, 76, 97.
Put. 82.
Quarters (measure), 50; (places),
96.
Quel, quelle?, 61.
Quelle heure est-il?, 29.
Qui?, que?, 63.
Quickly, 95.
Railway, 90.
Rain, 38, 83.
Head, 81. 82.
Receive, 43, 45, 46, 77
Recevoir, 43, 45, 46, 77.
Reflexive verbs, 59, 60.
Regiment, 26, 40, 89, 91.
Remember, 85.
Rendre, 45.
Rest, 95.
Retreat, 96.
Right, 69.
Right, on the, 20, 90.
Eire, 83, 84, 88.
Rompre, 43, 77.
Room, 92.
Run, 78, 79. 95.
Saved, 94.
Savez-vous?, 15.
Savoir, 84, 88.
Say. 33, 79. 94.
Seat oneself, 82.
3e battre, 59, 60.
See, 32, 37. 87.
Seek, 62.
Seen, 17, 40.
Se mettre, 59, 60, 82.
Send. 80, 81.
S'habiller, 59.
Se laver, 59.
Sent-ences, 8, 11, 15, 20, 28. 29.
I 39. 40, 42, 60. 63, 89 to 96.
Sentlr,^ 84.
Se souvenir, 85,
Se taire, 86,
Shave, 93.
SI foF oui, 93, 124.
Silent, 86.
Sit down, 82.
Sleep, 80.
Sling, 94.
Smell. 84.
Smile, 85.
Soldier, 92.
Some, 8.
132
INDEX
Sortir, 85
Souffrir, 85.
Sourite, 85.
Speak, 33, 93, 94.
Speak French. 20, 93, 94
Stay, 96.
Street, 90.
Suivre, 85, 88
Sun, 91.
Surrender, 96
Taisez-vous, 86
Take, 95.
Tell, 79
Tenir, 86.
Tenses, 73, 74, 75. 76
That, 63, 70. 71
The, 6.
Thirsty, to be, 15
This, that, 62.
Time, the, 29
Tobacco, 93.
Tout droit, 20
Tout, toute, ptc, 67
Tout le monde. 67
Towel, 92
Train, 93.
Troops, French, 124
Un, une, 11.
Understand; 39, 93
Vais, je, 15, 44, 48.
Vegetables, 60, 97
Venez-ici, 11
Veair, 86.
Verbs, 15, 16, 17, 18. 22, 32, 33,
42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 76, 77,
78, 79, 80, 81. 82, 83, 84. 35,
86, S7, ^8.
Vieux, 21
Vivre, 86, 87
Vocabulary of military & ordinary
words, 98 to 124.
VoU^, 11.
Voir, 32, 45, 87, 88.
Voia, Je, 32, 37 55
Votre, 23, 39.
Vouloir, 44, 87
Vu. 17 46.
Walk, 95
Want, 44, 96.
Wash oneself, 59
Water, 8, 96,
Way, 89. 90. 91. 94.
Weather, 70. 71, 91
What?, 61.
Wish, 44. 87
Write, 80.
Wrong, to be, 70
Y, 58.
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