Active Users:418 Time:04/12/2024 07:13:25 PM
The point is it is a "literary" tense Camilla Send a noteboard - 15/12/2010 10:19:59 AM
You won't find it in a lower style of literature, and I think much newer (properly new, not 40s new) literature also avoids it. And if you use it in speaking you are downright weird (hence why newer literature, seeking a closer relation to spoken language, possibly a more natural feel, is using it less).

Legolas is also right that it is not emphasised in schools, certainly in Norway. It was mentioned a couple of times, but teaching us to use it was never a priority, precisely because we were unlikely to try to write a high literary piece in French, and because those of us who read that sort of French literature would be able to work out what was going on on our own.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
This message last edited by Camilla on 15/12/2010 at 10:20:46 AM
Reply to message
Maurice Druon - The Accursed Kings - 13/12/2010 08:19:21 PM 7841 Views
Thank you for giving this review - I had forgotten the name of the author and series. - 13/12/2010 09:29:59 PM 1664 Views
You're welcome (and thanks for the correction, edited). - 13/12/2010 10:23:55 PM 1690 Views
I know it's not "literary". (EDITED) - 13/12/2010 10:42:33 PM 1591 Views
Subjunctive imperfect, yeah. - 13/12/2010 10:51:34 PM 1654 Views
And with regard to your edit, I don't have a problem with passé simples myself. - 13/12/2010 10:53:59 PM 2013 Views
But how can one read any French literature at all without encountering the passé simple? - 15/12/2010 03:39:37 AM 1824 Views
The point is it is a "literary" tense - 15/12/2010 10:19:59 AM 1805 Views
Why would I read a lower style of book (I won't use the term "literature" to describe them) ? - 16/12/2010 06:11:36 AM 1602 Views
I don't want to start a fight here, but your attitude is seriously starting to grate. - 16/12/2010 06:54:30 PM 1871 Views
I don't care. Start a fight. - 16/12/2010 08:24:22 PM 1770 Views
Well, or we can have a civil debate on French culture, I suppose... also fun. - 16/12/2010 09:09:20 PM 1762 Views
Well, I'm up for that, too. - 17/12/2010 05:48:39 AM 1747 Views
Good. - 17/12/2010 09:01:37 PM 2091 Views
Ah - I support the subjunctive!!! - 18/12/2010 05:10:38 AM 1958 Views
TANGENT - 18/12/2010 09:56:31 AM 1849 Views
This whole conversation is just a pile of tangents, anyway. *NM* - 18/12/2010 01:30:09 PM 847 Views
I enjoy the tangent. - 21/12/2010 12:43:23 AM 1515 Views
But you don't think its disappearance corresponds to a decline in American culture? - 18/12/2010 01:29:43 PM 1738 Views
I read Der Zauberberg in English already. - 21/12/2010 12:48:16 AM 1579 Views
About the passé simple, what Camilla said. As for medieval vocabulary... - 15/12/2010 07:17:44 PM 1760 Views
"Ne...point" is used in Stendhal all the time. - 16/12/2010 06:08:40 AM 1651 Views
That looks like a really fascinating series. - 13/12/2010 10:56:52 PM 1714 Views
Step up your French lessons!!! - 13/12/2010 11:50:21 PM 1888 Views
That is a great reason to learn French. - 14/12/2010 07:29:54 PM 1623 Views
Re: That is a great reason to learn French. - 14/12/2010 08:13:59 PM 1628 Views
Fancier English often turns out to be French, of course. *NM* - 17/12/2010 06:41:19 PM 915 Views
Ooooh - 14/12/2010 07:41:03 PM 1547 Views
I'm really not quite sure how you managed that. - 14/12/2010 08:09:55 PM 1716 Views
Re: I'm really not quite sure how you managed that. - 14/12/2010 08:13:48 PM 1606 Views
I meant Bertière, yeah. Dumas works too, though. - 14/12/2010 08:18:30 PM 1673 Views

Reply to Message