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A Café Encounter: A Fusion of Cultures Through Words

No diálogo a seguir, exploraremos como termos franceses são usados em conversas em inglês, ilustrando a riqueza e complexidade das interações linguísticas. Aprenderemos expressões francesas utilizadas na língua inglesa. O texto está preparado para alunos do nível B2.

Reading

Two friends, Alex and Jordan, sit tête-à-tête over coffee. It is a cozy corner in a chic boutique café. Alex is an attaché at the French embassy, and Jordan is an avid reader and movie expert. Alex is holding the menu...


Alex: You know, I love ordering à la carte. It gives me the freedom to choose exactly what I want.

Jordan: I agree, it is better than to be confined to a set meal. By the way, have you ever felt déjà vu here? I swear, sometimes I feel like we’ve had this exact conversation before.

Alex: Funny you mention that, but yes! It's almost a cliché how often I get that feeling. Speaking of clichés, have you seen that new film noir that just came out? It's rich with shadows, moody settings, and of course, the ever-present paparazzi in the storyline.

Jordan: Ah, the relentless paparazzi. Speaking of which, my cousin is engaged to a movie star, and she was just mentioning how she's now the favorite target for them. She showed off her ring and said, "Look, I’m a fiancée now!"

Alex: A toast to her joie de vivre then! Being in the limelight must be challenging. But with the right savoir-faire, I'm sure she'll handle situations gracefully.

Jordan: That’s the hope. On another note, I saw on your résumé that you worked as an attaché in various countries. Must have been fascinating!

Alex: Oh, it was. Especially when there were sudden political changes, like a coup d'état. But in those moments, I truly learned the importance of terms like "force majeure" in contracts.

Jordan: That’s heavy stuff. I imagine there were times you felt like a voyeur, watching history unfold in real-time.

Alex: In a manner of speaking, yes. Oh! Speaking of watching, did you notice the fashion boutique that opened next door? Their display seemed very avant-garde.

Jordan: I did! The outfits seemed straight out of haute couture runways. But enough about me and my love for films and fashion. How’s the life of an attaché?

Alex: It has its moments. Just the other day, a fellow diplomat made a keen observation about an oversight in our report. All I could say was, “touché.”

Jordan: Carpe diem, my friend. Seize those moments to learn and grow.

Alex: Always do. That's the spirit of joie de vivre, after all. It's intriguing how many French terms we've just used. They've so seamlessly integrated into our English conversations, highlighting the richness of language and culture.

Jordan: Absolutely! A true blend of the American and French lexicons.


Glossary on french words:

  • à la carte - Ordering individual food items, eschewing a set meal.

  • attaché - Typically a diplomatic official assigned to a specific role at an embassy.

  • blasé - A sense of indifference often stemming from over-familiarity.

  • boutique - Small, specialized shops, often related to fashion.

  • cliché - An idea or phrase that's been overused to the point of losing original meaning.

  • coup d'état - A sudden overthrow of a government, often achieved forcefully.

  • déjà vu - That uncanny feeling that one has lived through the present situation before.

  • fiancé/fiancée - A person one is engaged to be married to.

  • film noir - A cinematic genre known for its moody, dark, and pessimistic narratives.

  • joie de vivre - The infectious zest or enthusiasm for life.

  • paparazzi - Photographers, often seen as intrusive, chasing celebrities for candid shots.

  • résumé - A document outlining one's professional history and qualifications.

  • savoir-faire - The ability to adeptly navigate complex social situations.

  • tête-à-tête - An intimate, private conversation between two individuals.

  • touché - A recognition of a well-made point during a discussion.

  • voyeur - Someone who derives pleasure from observing others, often covertly.

  • force majeure - Unexpected events (like natural disasters) that prevent someone from upholding a contractual obligation.

  • Café - A cozy establishment where one can enjoy beverages, often coffee, and light meals.

  • Carpe diem - An exhortation to make the most of the present moment, literally meaning "seize the day."


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