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The great day approaches...

 
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:36 pm    Post subject: The great day approaches... Reply with quote

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JElH62xcVU
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah, give the troops one genuinely respectful salute from me.
Preferably in the direction of some of the WWII vets.
This was the highlight of my stint in Moscow; really something to remember (and to hope to see again!).
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

M'aidez, M'aidez!!!!!

Regards,
John
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cassava



Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 175

PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

John:

The cry-for-help expression frequently heard in English as "may day" cannot be translated into French as "m'aidez". The translation for "help me" in French would have to be "aidez-moi" or "aide-moi".

The negative in French would be "ne m'aidez pas" or "ne m'aide pas". These would obviously be translated as "don't help me".

There have been all kinds of views as to whether there is a French origin of the English "may day" plea-for-help expression. One opinion is that it might have come from the French "venez m'aider" or "viens m'aider". In French, these mean "come and help me". Note that the "ez" of "aidez" and the "er" of "aider" are pronounced roughly the same.

The suggestion is then further made that in an emergency situation the person seeking help would be so desperate, in a context where time was of the essence, that s/he would omit "venez" or "viens" and instead simply scream "...m'aider" as loudly and as often as possible.

I'm not trying to be pedantic here; I just thought you might be interested in this little heads-up.
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear cassava,

Thanks - my French is just a bit rusty, considering it's been about 56 years since I studied it (and then, even "La plume de ma tante est sur la table." gave me problems). Very Happy

Regards,
John
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