French for beginners: language hacks for word endings

French for beginners: language hacks for word endings

A master of ten languages, Michel Thomas taught the stars French for beginners. Here are some of the hacks I've picked up so far

Once our trip around the world officially ends, we will travel to France for a few months before finally returning to London. With only a short course French degree (from my school days almost 17 years ago), I need to improve my French quickly.

So far I've been tackling the task digitally using a combination of Duolingo and the Michel Thomas method. I've used Duolingo for Spanish throughout South America with mixed success, but the Michel Thomas Method is a promising new approach for me.

The Michel Thomas method has been around since 1947, when the eponymous Thomas moved to Los Angeles and founded a language school that claimed to teach language skills in just a few days.

A master of 10 languages, he taught beginner French to film stars Mel Gibson, Woody Allen and Barbara Streisand (all paying up to $30,000 for private lessons). He even taught Doris Day Spanish so she could sing the hit Que Sera Sera.

Luckily for people like me on a smaller budget, he recorded his method so language learners can work through his process in small steps, building knowledge and vocabulary as they go. So far I've only completed two of the eight audio sessions, but I've already made significant progress.

This is largely due to the way Thomas breaks down the language and highlights the multitude of words that can be transferred from English to French. Here are some of his best hacks.

Oh, and what's the best thing about this method? There is no homework – perfect for a lazy learner like me!

French for beginners: language hacks for word endings

1. Words ending in -ible and -able

At the beginning of the French beginners course, Thomas tells us that over 60% of English vocabulary comes from French.

He shows that words in English ending in -ible and -able are largely the same in French, with a consistent change in pronunciation and sometimes spelling. Just knowing this can give beginners a huge confidence boost.

2. Words ending in -ion

Words in English that end in -ion come from French. The pronunciation varies, but the meaning and spelling are generally the same. For example, condition, opinion and reservation are the same in French and English.

As with any language, there are exceptions to the rule (Thomas points out that vacation, translation, explanation becomes vacancy, translation, explanation), but in general it's incredibly helpful.

3. Words ending in -ical

Words in English that end in -ical become -ique in French. English words like political, economic, logique and philosophy become politique, economique, logique and philosphique in French. These can be combined with the previous trick regarding -ion endings to produce the following phrases.

I have to say, I was pretty proud that I was able to talk about the political and economic situation in France.

4. Words ending in -ary

Words in English that end in -ary become -aire in French. For example, words like military, necessary and contra in English become militaire, necesaire and contraire in French.

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5. Words ending in -ent and -ant

Thomas also explains that words in English that end in -ent and -ant come from French. They have similar spelling and the same meaning.

6. Words ending in -ance and -ence

Words in English that end in -ance and -ence come from French.

7. Words ending in -el or -al

Finally, Thomas explains that all words in English ending in -al or -el come from French. In addition, when adjectives such as general (in general) become adverbs, -ment is added to them in French.

The full Michel Thomas Method course is available on Amazon.

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