French Influence on English
The English language has been shaped by a number of other languages over the centuries, and many English speakers know that Latin and German were two of the largest What many people do not realize is how much the French language has influenced English.
Without going into too much detail, I want to give a little background on other languages that have shaped English was born three dialects of German tribes Angles, Jutes and Saxons who settled in Britain in about 450 A D.
This group of dialects is what linguists call Anglo-Saxon, and at one point that language developed in what we call Old English This Germanic base was influenced to varying degrees by Celtic, Latin, and Scandinavian Old Norse - languages spoken by invading armies.
Bill Bryson calls the Norman conquest of 1066 the final cataclysm waiting english 1 When William the Conqueror became King of England, the French took over the language of the court, administration and culture - and stayed there for 300 years Meanwhile, English has been demoted to everyday unprestigious uses both languages existed side by side in England without major difficulties; in fact, since English was basically ignored by grammarians during this time, he took advantage of his lowly status to become a grammatically simple language and after only 70 or 80 years existing side by side with the French, Old English segued into Middle English.
During the Norman occupation, about 10,000 French words were adopted in English, some in use today that are still three quarters this French vocabulary is found in all areas of government and law to art and literature - learn a little more than a third of all English words are derived directly or indirectly from the french, and it is estimated that English speakers who have not studied french already know 15,000 french words.
2 You can see 1700 words that are identical in both languages here true cognates.
English pronunciation owes much to the good old English then French had the unvoiced fricative sounds f, s, θ as in th and sh, French influence has helped to distinguish their counterparts voiced v, z, š ee and ʒ mira ge and also contributed the diphthong ɔy b oy 3 What is expressed fricative unsaid.
Another is rare, but interesting of French influence is in the order of words and phrases such as secretary general and surgeon general where English has kept the name the order of the typical adjective words in French, rather than the ordinary adjective name used in English.
If you are interested in French and in English or language and want to learn more about their mutual relationship, please visit the links and other reading resources below.
1 native English How It Got That Way by Bill Bryson compare prices.
2 French is not a foreign language American Association of Teachers of French.
3 The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language ed.
French Inside Out of the past and present French language by Henriette Walter compare prices.
Evil be to him who evil thinks The incredible love story between French and English by the website Henriette Walter provider.
Languages of the World by Kenneth Katzner compare prices.
Made in America An Informal History of the English language in the United States by Bill Bryson compare prices.
Over the years, English has borrowed many French words and expressions Part of this vocabulary was so absorbed in English that speakers do not realize its origins other words and terms have retained their French heritage - one I whatever pregnant tend to be much more aware of much that awareness generally not extend to actually pronounce the word in French.
Here is a list of words and French phrases that are commonly used in English The literal translation is provided in quotes and followed by an explanation When you read by all, be sure to see how you do on the quiz.
Goodbye until God used as the goodbye when you do not expect to see the person again until God when you die and go to heaven.
Agent provocateur Agent provocateur A person who attempts to provoke suspected or groups to commit unlawful acts.
Camp assistant Help of Camp A military officer who serves as a personal assistant to a senior officer.
checklist Checklist paper 1 Position 2 Something that acts as an aid to memory, such as crib notes or mnemonic.
The menu in the French restaurant menus usually offer a menu with choices for each of several courses at a fixed price how to read a French menu.
If you want something else a side order, you control the score of the map menu is a false friend in French and English.
In French with French Describes anything done to the French.
The minute Minute This term is used in restaurant kitchens for dishes that are cooked to order, rather than fact in advance.
Fashion In fashion, style English, that means ice cream - apparently someone decided to have ice cream on the cake was the fashionable way of eating.
Driveway went Avenue A path or sidewalk lined with trees.
Après-ski after skiing The French term refers to snow boots but the literal translation of the term is what is meant in English, as in social events after ski.
About on the subject in French, about to be followed by the preposition In English, there are four ways to use about we let the accent side and space 1 adjective - appropriate point true, but it's not apropos 2 adverb - at an appropriate time opportunely Fortunately, it happened about 3 adverb interjection - through incidentally apropos, what happened yesterday 4 preposition may or may not be followed - regarding Apropos speaking of our meeting, I'll be late; He told a funny story about the new president.
Art Deco decorative arts short for decorative art.
New art nouveau Characterized by flowers, leaves and flowing lines.
Attached herewith a person assigned to a diplomatic post.
Contrary to the contrary Usually used playfully into English.
In fact conversing, informed the way is used in British English meaning familiar or conversant It is not really aware of my ideas, but it has other meanings in French.
Gratin with networks in French au gratin refers to anything that is shredded and put on top of a dish like bread or cheese in English, au gratin with cheese means.
The juice in the juice served with natural juices of the meat.
Natural, in fact, seasoned in this case is related natural semi-false word in French, Natural can mean either in reality or literally seasoned in the kitchen English, we took it, use less common and the use figuratively, means natural, untouched, pure, true, naked.
Au Pair Pair A person who works for a cleaning or family and teach children in exchange for room and board.
Three pencils with three technical pencil drawing using three colors of chalk.
Vanguard innovative front guard, especially in the arts.
avoirdupois weight products originally spelled averdepois.
Bas-relief bas-relief sculpture design that is slightly larger than its background.
BCBG good style, preppy chic bon genre or, short for bon chic, bon genre.
Belle Epoque heyday The golden age of art and culture in France in the early 20th century.
nemesis nemesis similar to a company something bane of animal that is particularly unpleasant or difficult to avoid.
Blond, blonde blonde hair is the only word in English that is kind of in agreement with the person she modifies blonde is for a man and a blond woman Note that these can also be names.
Bon appetit good nearest English equivalent appetite is good appetite.
good word, good word bures intelligent remark of words, mind game.
Fashionable fashionable sophistication, label, high society.
Bon Vivant right person liver who lives well, who knows to enjoy life.
Good good English travel trip Bon Voyage, But Good travel is more elegant.
Bric-a-brac Good French spelling is knick-knacks and bric brac Note that don t mean anything in French; they are onomatopoeia.
Brunette small woman The French word for dark brown hair with black hair, is what it really means by English brown suffix - ette indicates that the subject is small and female.
Coffee with milk coffee with milk Same as the Spanish café con leche term.
White Card White hands-free card, the ability to do what you need.
The cause cause celebre famous A famous controversial issue, the trial or the case.
Cherry cherry French word for the fruit gives us the English word for color.
C is the life that's the life meaning and usage in both languages.
Each to his liking each to his own taste This is slightly twisted English version of the French phrase to each his own taste.
Deckchair lounger in English, which is often mistakenly written as a lounge chair - which actually makes perfect sense.
Charge d'affaires of business managers a substitute or replacement diplomat.
Look for the woman look for woman Same problem as always.
Horse horse frieze Frisian wire, spikes or broken glass fixed in wood or masonry, and used to block access.
Mirror Horse riding ice A long mirror fixed in a mobile setting.
Chic Chic stylish looks more chic than elegant.
Cinéma Vérité movie Impartial truth, the realist documentary cinema.
As he must needs the right way, as it should be.
cordon line health quarantine buffer zone for political or health reasons.
Knockout blow thank you Deathblow, last shot, decisive blow.
Coup de trait hand somehow the Anglo-Saxon sense swoop got completely separated from the French aid, helping hand.
Master stroke master stroke A stroke of genius.
Stroke suddenly bombshell drama, unexpected turn of events in a game.
Coup d etat coup Overthrow the Government Note that the last word is capitalized and highlighted in French coup of State.
Creme brulee Creme brulee baked with cream caramelized crust.
Creme Caramel Creme Caramel Flan Synonym - lined custard caramel.
Cream chocolate flavored cocoa liquor cocoa cream.
Cream of the cream of the cream of the cream with cream synonymous English-speaking culture - refers to the best of the best.
Cream of mint cream mint flavored liqueur with mint.
fresh cream cream This term is funny Despite its significance, the cream is actually slightly fermented, thickened cream.
heart cry cry from the heart The right way to say it in French heart cry of the heart is literally cry, cry from the heart.
Crime of passion crime of passion crime of passion.
Critical Criticism, Critical judgment is an adjective and noun in French, but a noun and verb in English; it refers to a critical examination of something or act to perform such a review.
kitchen cooking, eating style English, cooking refers only to a particular type of cooking food such as French cuisine, Southern cooking, etc.
Cul-de-sac after bottom dead bag.
Beginner beginner in French, Beginner is the feminine form of beginner - beginner or name beginning adj In both languages, it also refers to a girl who makes his formal entry into the company Interestingly, this use is not original in French; it was adopted back in English.
Neckline, decollete neckline lowered neckline The first is a name, the second an adjective, but both refer to low necklines on women's clothing.
The French tasting tasting word simply refers to the act of tasting, while English is used to tasting a wine tasting event or party, as in the wine or cheese tasting.
Viewed seen is a grammatical structure in French, as in the I've seen what I've seen, while in English already seen refers to the phenomenon of feeling like you have something already seen or done when you are sure that you haven t.
world Demimonde half in French, it's demimonde hyphenation In English, there are two meanings 1 A marginal group or disrespectful 2 fornicators and women or outfits.
demitasse cup half in French, it is half-hyphenation Tassé Refers to a small cup of espresso or other strong coffee.
Unfashionable same mode meaning in both languages fashioned, fashion.
Socially or culturally required rigor rigor.
Latest trendy new fashion or trend.
God and my God and my right Motto right of the British monarch.
Divorced divorced divorced man, divorced woman In English, the female is much more common divorced, and is often written without accent divorcee.
Double Entender Double A hearing pun or play on words, for example, you are looking at a sheep field and you say: How are you Ewe.
Law lord law lord of the manor of the right of the feudal lord to deflower the wife of his vassal.
From the day of the day Soup of the day is nothing more than an elegant-sounding version of soup of the day.
Cologne cologne This is often reduced to simply Cologne in Cologne English name is French and English to the German city of Cologne.
Eau de Toilette Toilet water here does not refer to a dresser - see below toilet toilet water is very low perfume.
Embarrassment of riches, wealth WEALTH embarrassment of riches such a huge amount of good fortune that is embarrassing or confusing.
Expatriate emigrated, migrant In English, this suggests exile for political reasons.
In plenary on the legal bench indicates that all members of the court is in session.
In kebab on a skewer also known under the name Turkish shish kebab.
Another new single adverb, French, English still refers to additional performance, usually asked by audience applause.
Enfant terrible terrible child Refers to an awkward or embarrassing person in a group of artists, thinkers, etc.
Warning warning Warning that should be on his guard her, ready for an attack originally in fencing.
Passing into the passage through the path; chess capturing a pawn after a specific movement.
Entente cordiale entente cordiale friendship agreements between the countries, especially those signed in 1904 between France and the United Kingdom.
You come Enter the English often say, but it's wrong - the right way to say come in French is simply Entrez.
body mind spirit similar group to team spirit or morale.
Done act fait accompli fait accompli seems more fatalistic than fact act that is so factual.
False wrong, wrong I once saw an ad for real fake pearls No worries that these beads can be true, I suppose - were guaranteed of false.
Misstep misstep, something that travel should not be made a stupid mistake.
Femme fatale mortal woman An attractive woman who seduces mysterious men in compromising situations.
Fiance, fiancee committed person engaged fiance Note that refers to a man and a woman betrothed.
film noir film noir is a literal reference to the austere style of photography in black and white, although black films tend to be dark and morbid figuratively e g, dark, depressing, etc.
End end of the century century Hyphenated in English, end-of-century refers to the late 19th century.
Fleur-de-lis, lily flower lily One type of iris or an emblem in the form of an iris three petals.
Flower Flower very fine and expensive salt salt salt.
liver fat foie gras The liver of a force-fed goose, considered a delicacy.
Folie à deux madness for two mental disorders occurring simultaneously in two people with close connection or association.
Most large force strength An unexpected or uncontrollable event such as a tornado or a war, which prevents a contract to be fulfilled.
Gamine playful little girl refers to a mischievous playful girl or woman.
boy boy when it was acceptable to call a French server, but those days are long gone boy.
Left left without awkward tact, lack of social grace.
kind type Used mainly in art and film - I really like this kind.
squirt squirt, spray In French, giclee is a general term for a small amount of liquid; in English, it refers to a particular type of ink jet printing and the emphasis is usually abandoned squirt.
Grand grand mal epilepsy severe illness See also little bad.
High high high-class seam sewing styles of fancy and expensive clothes.
High high high kitchen cooking, kitchen fancy and expensive or food.
Hors d'oeuvre outside work A drink here refers to the Work to the main course of work, so hors d'oeuvre just means something besides the main course.
I do not know what, I do not know what used to indicate a certain something, like I really Ann She has a certain indescribable something that I find very attractive.
Joie de vivre joy of life quality of people who live life to the fullest.
Let make it be a policy of non-interference score of expression in French is laissez-faire.
Maître d, hotel maitre master, butler The former is more common in English, which is strange because it is incomplete Master to show you to your table.
Matinee morning English, says the first screening of a film or play can also refer to midday romps with a lover of the day.
household cleaning three three sexual Trio.
Curveball setting abyss image repeated in his own image, like two mirrors facing.
Justė word right word exactly the word or phrase.
Used in born born genealogy to refer to a woman's maiden name of Anne Miller born or born Smith.
Noblesse oblige noble idea that forced those noble must act noble.
pen name pen name This French phrase was coined by the English name in imitation of war.
Enriched new rich pejorative for someone who recently silver.
New kitchen new kitchen style kitchen developed in the 1960s and 70s which focused on lightness and freshness.
art art object to object Note that the French word is not subject to a c - you must never write objet d'art.
Oh dear oh dear Usually misspelled and mispronounced ooh la la in English.
ultimate ultimate Quintessential, preeminent, the best of the best.
Past-past old fashioned, out of date, past its peak.
passes across one master key pass-partout 2 art carpets, paper or tape used to enclose an image.
Skin Silk Skin soft silk, silky fabric with a matte finish.
Small, short It may sound fancy, but small is simply the feminine French adjective meaning short or small.
Petit four small oven dessert small, especially the cake.
Small little evil disease relatively mild epilepsy see great wickedness.
Small dot small dot small dot used in needlepoint.
endurance piece piece de resistance in French, that origin refers to the main course - the test the endurance of your stomach in both languages, it now refers to outstanding achievement or the last part of something - a project , food, etc.
foot Pied-a-terre on the ground a temporary or secondary residence.
Glasses nip glasses nose clipped nose.
Also change The more things change more things change the more they stay the same.
gate coach door doorway covered by which car cars then temporarily stop to allow passengers to enter a building without getting wet by rain.
potpourri potpourri A fragrant blend of flowers and dried spices; a diverse group or collection.
Ready-to-wear ready to wear clothing originally called, now sometimes used for food.
Fixed price Fixed price two or more courses at a fixed price, with or without options for each course Although the term is French, in France, a fixed-price menu is simply called the menu.
A protected person mentee training is sponsored by an influential person.
Reason for Being Rationale Purpose, justification to exist.
Go go French, this refers to a date or an appointment to the letter, it is the verb happen in Making imperative; in English, we can use it as a name or appointment of a let verb in 20 hours.
quick repartee, precise answer repartee The French gives us the English distributed, with the same sense of a quick, witty, and right on cue.
Roche moutonnée puts smoothed basement rock embankment and rounded by erosion Incidentally, sheep hammer means.
novel key key romance with Roman with real people that appear as fictional characters.
A Roman river novel long river, novel in several volumes which presents the story of several generations of a family or in French and English community, the saga tends to use more.
Red Red The English refers to a powder polishing reddish cosmetic glass or metal, and can be a noun or a verb.
RSVP answer please answer this abbreviation, please s meaning is redundant RSVP please.
Composure composure The ability to maintain composure.
Without no Used primarily in academia, but is also seen in the style without Serif, without decorative frills.
Expertise to know how to tactfully or synonymous with social grace.
Etiquette for how to live Manners, etiquette.
self supposedly say what one claims oneself; supposedly presumed.
Neat supported 1 sophisticated, elegant, fashionable 2 neat, polished, refined.
PM PM In English, refers to an elegant party.
suspicion Suspicion used figuratively as an index There is just a hint of garlic in the soup.
D Estimated success Success Success or Estimated unpopular but significant success.
Table A vivid picture scene LIVING composed of dumb actors, motionless.
host of guest table 1 table A table for all guests to sit together 2 A meal at a fixed price with several courses.
head head-to-head at the head of a private chat or visit with another person.
Toilet WC In French, it refers both to the toilet itself and everything related toiletries; and the expression to a toilet - the hairbrush, do makeup, etc. See cologne above.
Touched originally used in affected fencing, now equivalent to you myself.
round feat of strength something that takes a lot of strength or skill to complete.
Immediately immediately Because of the e muffler which is often misspelled Toot sweet English.
Trompe l'oeil trick the eye a painting style using perspective to trick the eye into thinking it is real French, trompe the eye can also refer generally to artifice and cunning.
Vis-a-vis facing English vis-à-vis or vis-à-vis the means with respect to or in connection with vis-à-vis this vis-à-vis decision of this decision notes that in french, it must be followed by the preposition of.
Vive la France France live mainly the French equivalent of saying God bless America Note that it is not live France viva la France.
It is the trick almost every time I see it in English, it is misspelled as voilá or ALTO.
flight Vol-au-vent of the wind in French and English, a vol-au-vent is a very light pastry shell filled with meat or fish with sauce.
Would you sleep with me this evening Would you sleep with me tonight unusual sentence in that English speakers use far more than Francophones.
French also gave scores of English words in the fields of dance and cuisine The literal meaning of the French words are in parentheses.
Conditions bar bar ballet Chainé chained, Chassé pursued, developed Developed, Deleted shade, not two in two steps, turn twirl, curved bent, lifted Surveys.
Terms of cooking launder blanch bleach, sauté fried over high heat, melt melted, crushed puree, burned outbreak.
Think you know all these French words used in English See how you do on the quiz.
How French has influenced English, French influenced, English.