"This book is full of faults both in the author and the printer"
, writes Furetière in his
Universal Dictionary
.
Note the error in the title!
But let's forgive him this discrepancy, because in this year 1690, the French Academy has not yet published the first edition of its Dictionary, with two "n's".
In the 17th century, there were many hesitations.
Should we write “il vesquit” or “il vescut”?
No one knows how to decide.
But the tongue is improving.
And over the years, the old lady of the Quai de Conti refines her toilet.
Spelling and grammar are tight.
Here she is getting strict.
French is written according to very precise rules.
And yet, since then, we haven't stopped making mistakes.
“
Is it serious?
asks the eminent linguist Jean Pruvost in his charming little book
To put an end to the 100 French mistakes that annoy us.
Not!
"
We won't be beheaded for a mistake in French, but we might as well keep our heads up by making as few mistakes as possible
."
So here is a welcome book, fun and educational, to overcome some errors.
The colorful chapters help us find our way. “
Did I pronounce that word correctly?
», «
Did I spell it correctly?
», «
And the grammar?
".
So: should we write "north" or "north"?
“mauve” or “mauve” dresses?
an hour and a "half" or "half"?
If you have always hesitated about the proper use of the past participle, color agreements, accents and abbreviations of professions, titles, grades... This happy book is for you.
To put an end to the 100 French mistakes that annoy us, De Jean Pruvost, Le Figaro littéraire, 143 p., €9.90.