3. Data Analysis
3.6. Mercer 30
You should study the following comments in order to understand fully the two dialogues. However, read the two dialogues and compare your pronunciation with the one in the tape.
a The phrase “je veux…”
The phrase “je veux…” is very useful in French because with it you can make so many statements. It meant “I want” in English. Normally when you want to do something or you need the service of someone, you will need this phrase. In dialogue 1 of this unit, the phrase was used by the woman as she expresses what she wants to the hairdresser:
The woman: Merci ! Je veux des cheveux plus courts, avec une coupe au carré.
One thing that you should note about the use of this phrase is that it is followed by the infinitive form of the verb that comes after it. For example, the womansays “je veux me faire…”.
The following are other examples of how the phrase is used:
1. Jeveux étudier le français à l’université = I want to study French in the university.
2. Je veux regarder la télévision = I want to watch television.
3. Je veux deux livres de français = I want two French textbooks b The phrase “pouvez-vous…?/peux-tu…?
This is another very useful phrase in French especially in a situation of buying and selling of goods and services. The phrase means “can you….?”. in “Dialogue 1”,the phrase was used by both the hairdresser and her apprentice:
The apprentice: Madame, nous commençons par le shampoing.
Pouvez-vous maintenant vous asseoir sur ce fauteuil devant le bac. Voilà! L'eau est-elle trop chaude ou trop froide?
The hairdresser: Très bien! Nous pouvons commencer tout de suite.
(àl’apprenti)Peux-tu apporter la brosse, le peigne et les ciseaux, s'il te plaît?
Note that “pouvez-vous” will be used for someone you are using “vous”
for and “peux-tu” for someone you are using “tu” for. The difference between “vous” and “tu” in French conversation has been explained in unit 16.
c The expression “je ne me sens pas bien”
This expression means “I am not feeling fine” especially when it has to do with someone’s health. If you are in front of a doctor, you will definitely need this expression. This expression was used in dialogue 2 by Fejiro in order to let the doctor know that he is not feeling fine:
Fejiro: Je ne me sens pas bien: je tousse beaucoup, j'éternue et mon nez coule. Je me mouche toute la journée. J'utilise au moins dix paquets de mouchoirs par jour.
d The expression “Qu’est-ce qui se passe?”
expression to ask about the health condition of his patient who has come to consult him:
Dr. Sule: Ah! Voici ma patiente préférée. Bonjour, Fejiro! Qu'est-ce qui se passe?
Meanwhile the expression “Qu’est-ce qui ne va pas?” can be used in place of “Qu’est-ce qui se passe?” to mean “what is wrong?”.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1. je veux me faire couper les cheveux.
2. Je veux….
3. Qu’est-ce qui se passé? / Qu’est-ce qui ne va pas?
4. Je ne me sens pas bien.
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this unit, you have learnt how to consult a professional in order to get the services you desire. Through the two dialogues and the few remarks made, you have learnt how to express yourself in situations where you will need the services of someone. You are hereby advised to go over the dialogues again and again and make sure you have thoroughly learnt the subject of this unit before you move on to the next unit.
5.0 SUMMARY
The subject of this unit has been to introduce you to french conversation type between a service provider and a service receiver. You have listened to the two recorded dialogues and you have studied few comments made on the dialogues. You have also engaged in some conversational activities in the course of listening to the dialogues. By now you should be able to engage in a simple conversation between you and a professional who possesses the services you want.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Create a conversation between you and a teacher asking him to teach you a particular topic in one of your courses.
7.0 REFERENCES / FURTHER READING
BibliographyAntrobus, L. et al (1996).Bonjour L’Afrique. Essex : Longman.
Chantal, P.T et al (1989). Cahier de laboratoire et d’exercices écrits.
New York McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Webography
www.bonjourdefrance.com