back to the start

la bilingue

Oui, la notre minette l'est:

- Lis, viens ici.

[elle arrive]

- Faz miminho, faz...

[et elle se met à rouler par terre]

- Minha mimosa! Tiens! (des gâteries pour chats)

[elle mange en me regardant] 

- Qui est la plus belle de touts les chats?!

- Miau! [comme je le comprends, ou "Meow" - comme les francophones l'entendent...] 

Et c'est comme ça que se passe le notre harmonieux quotidien félin 'franco-luso'  à Montréal... une ville particulièrement bilingue ♥

harmonieux

harmonioso In Infopédia [Em linha]. Porto: Porto Editora, 2003-2013. [Consult. 2013-01-14].
Disponível na www: <URL: http://www.infopedia.pt/portugues-frances/harmonioso>.quotidien 'franco-luso'...

o melhor presente

“Wouldn’t be awesome the world if libraries were more important than banks?”

In this spirit, inspired, I combine "business with pleasure"... Without consumption, in favour of knowledge!

Thus, today, on the National Readers Day in Brazil, I give a tip for my ideal birthday gifts: BOOKS. The secondhand ones, cheaper.

in French:


Anaïs Nin

Henry et June
Vénus érotica 
 

Biz (Loco Locass)

La chute de Sparte


Gérald Godin 

Ils ne demandaient qu'à brûler 


Jean de La Fontaine

Fables
 

Jules Verne

Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours
Vingt mille lieues sous les mers
 

in English:


Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Persuasion

in Portuguese:


José Saramago

Ensaio sobre a Cegueira
 

no matter the idiom:


Eduardo Galeano

As veias abertas da América Latina 

Les veines ouvertes de l'Amérique latine 

Open Veins of Latin America


Gabriel García Marquéz

Cem anos de solidão 

Cent ans de solitude

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Do amor e outros demônios 

De l'amour et autres démons 

Of Love and Other Demons

Memória de minhas putas tristes

Mémoire de mes putains tristes

Memories of My Melancholy Whores  


Isabel Allende

Afrodite 

Aphrodite, Contes recettes et autres aphrodisiaques 

Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses

___________________________________________________________ 

 

Where to buy it in Montreal:

Bouquinerie du Plateau - 799 Mont Royal Avenue East;

Boutique Volume, 277 Sainte-Catherine Street East;
L'Echange - 713  Mont Royal Avenue East;
The Renaissance Bookstore - 1310 Mont Royal Avenue East; *(a bargain!)

or in a place behind Quebec National Library, on Savoie Avenue. Unfortunately, I don't know its name...

la douceta

= 

a buceta doce (portugais)
+
la douce chatte (français)

L'amour s'utilise d'un vocabulaire propre. 

La langue du sexe est particulière. 

lusarab

It's impressive how similar we, Brazilian people, descendants of Portugueses, are in relation to Arabs. Namely concerning gastronomy.

Some ties I've noticed:

- Cabagge;
- Condensed milk;
- Esfihas;
- Kibes;
- Lentils;
- Olive oil (in Portuguese: azeite, from the Arabic az-zayt);
- Oranges (in Portuguese: laranjas, from the Arabic naranj);
- Rosemary (in Portuguese: alecrim, from the Arabic al-iklil);
- Sirup (in Portuguese: xarope, from the Arabic xarab);
- Sugar (in Portuguese: açúcar, from the Arabic as-sukar)

More:

- Blue (in Portuguese: azul, from the Arabic al-lzaward);
- Cotton (in Portuguese: algodão, from the Arabic al-kutun);
- Custom (in Portuguese: alfândega, from the Arabic al-funduq);
- Market/warehouse (in Portuguese: armazém, from the Arabic al-Makhzan);
- Migraine  in Portuguese: enxaqueca, from the Arabic xaqiqa)
- Tile (in Portuguese: azulejo, from the Arabic al-zuleij)

Among lots of other examples...

Well, it's natural. Moors invaded Portugal from 8th century... Something always remains, in different branchs.

Actually, even in both languages we detect a huge association. Probably, the fact of living abrod has enabled me to distinguish and recognize such parity more easily.

en français, S.V.P.

How to avoid boring mobile phone companies calls, being in Montreal?

- Pourriez-vous parler en français, svp?

- Sorry, M'am, but I can't... However, I will ask someone else able to call you later, ok?!

Nevermore disturbed.

___________________________________________________________  

By law, services must be offered primordially in French in Quebec, using English as an alternative. After all, their official language should be respected.

This is not the case, though, in real, pratical daily life here. Unfortunately. 

ex/é change

- C-H-A-U-D.
- Parfait! Tu l'as écrit correctement... Mais, c'est quoi "chaud"? Est-ce que tu sais ce que ça veut dire? 
- Oui, c'est "hot"!
- Ok... [en fait, pas convaincue, en attendant une réponse liée au climat, temps ou à la temperature] Et, quel est le contraire?
- C'est "cold", n'est-ce pas?!
 
It's impressive how easily bilingual children change from English to French (mode) in Montreal.

Il est impressionnante la facilité avec laquelle les enfants bilingues changent du (mode) français au anglais à Montréal.

(*they put adults to shame - including me! / *Ils mettent les adultes la honte - moi compris!)

A flourishing future wait for them! / Un avenir prospère les attend!

___________________________________________________________

bilingüismo

Eu adoraria que o mesmo acontecesse na América Latina com o português e o espanhol!

¡Me encantaría que lo mismo sucede en Latinoamérica con el portugués y el español!

crazy!

Quand il s’agit de aborder un sujet d'ici, du Québec, je le fais en français. C'est automatique.

On the other hand, when the item on the agenda is international,  it happens en English. Even Brazilian ones...

Je crois que ce se passe car j'ai déjà incorporé le esprit de La Belle Province.

Then, I prefer to write as that comes naturally.

Faque c'est comme ça que "a mula ruge"... C'est la vie!

cool in my way

What is necessary do to be accepted by others?

I may say: be in your own way. Well, that's what I've been doing, even if I err sometimes (after all, nobody is perfect!).

Exotic, shy, a little uncommunicative maybe (a insecurity on my part because of idiom)... I hope it is just due to that I feel myself put aside sometimes.

___________________________________________________________ 

step father

He is ALMOST a father, in many cases. 

Furthermore, if he has his own children, and, even though, he DOES deal with us as with them, well, it proves he probably likes us as his ones.

We must respect that! It's important, the minimum... Efforts of  both parts.

Time has gone and what is really important remains. That's why we should valorize who is closer, participating of our lives.

___________________________________________________________ 

Being a member of a the family or equally integrate a circle of friends: it could be a big challenge!

le français

C'est ça que j'm:

Je parle
Tu ne me comprends pas
Il répond
Nous changeons des experiences
Vous êtes gentils  
Ils rient

(toujours, presque comme ça…)

I'm in love with French, I admit.

J'essaye... parler, comprendre, écouter, répondre correctement, me faire comprendre! Since I arrived in Montreal, and now, mainly because I'm studying it, it's impossible not to say I'm completely involved with the idiom. 

Actually, I used to be when I attended some classes in the past, but it was not so intensive. While interested, it was not the same experience as living in a place where everybody speaks that, where the language is partout!

I fell in love, as a tree leaf fall... naturally. By now, I can say I'm changing (not my color, but the way of my thoughts, et ma vie). By the way, it's already Autumn! 

Well, for sure, it’s another season for me… Why not? Since I’m discovering different things far from home, and blooming as long as I’m not so green anymore. C'est ça... tout a fait!

It’s natural… as being in love, looking for someone before the winter come, wanting and also accepting all changes.

Ça arrive... C’est la vie!

little things which make all the difference

Feeling myself  welcome - Now, more than ever, I’m prizing it (once I’m satisfied with the way which people deal with immigrants in Canada)! Differently I was used to pass in Europe, here, there are not only opportunities, but (and mainly) respect.

Furthermore, other aspect that makes me appreciate this country is its people's kindness. Without a doubt, they are completely different from, for example, most part of Dutchs who I've met in The Netherlands - rude and indelicate when giving short answers, always with no smiles in their faces. 

Although their idiom seems a little brute for us, while, for instance, the Latin ones make us closer (of course), it's not only a matter of language. Even descending from French, Quebec's people are so cute and solicitous - much more beloved than their European ancestors, who, unfortunately, don't have one of the best appealing reputation - at all! Sometimes, inclusively, the anglophonic Canadians seem be even more captivating, but is not a plain fact! Maybe this unfavourably impression is made à cause des mes difficultés et de les particularités du français... Oui, peut-être!

Finally, there are many other reasons which make me believe I’m in the right place right now… Almost feeling myself as in home (or 'chez moi'). My only challenge, the worst one, which impedes me to affirm I’m 100% sure of that, is the winter(!) - that haven’t started yet. Probably, it’s going to be as cruel as colder than any other people in the whole planet! Wow… I wonder myself if Canadians are going to keep joy and so gentle even under less 30 degrees! Well, let's see.

*By now, I would like to excuse myself with Holland and French people, since I love them and their places. However, it's important to be sincere AND, in such case, EVEN WITH NO CRISIS, Europeans generally tend to have so much (related to behavior and mood) to learn with other peoples in order to improve their manners.

ma vie en rose

I'm sure we can chose the color of our lives - both the saddest and the most happy one. It s up to us!

So, after special changes, for instance, I decided not to have my kitchen utensils orange anymore. By the way, nothing against Holland… on the contrary! However, I have already come a long way.

From now, I'll take it easy and restart seeing this (current) world through (my) child's eyes. Thus, for me everything is all right again - even if it said it is not all a bed of roses.

Actually, living in (a) Rosemont (réal), finally I guess it may be - at least for my new stuff, besides the romantic language I've learned and the opportunity to be happy.

Here, I definitively feel satisfied.

anything can happen

I haven’t seen “Rio” yet. I know it has a Brazilian plot, about our  animals and stuffs. For sure I’m seeing as soon as possible. After all, I’m curious! Nevertheless, I reckon it is almost impossible touch me so deeply as “Wall-E” did.

Although the huge differences between both robots - one former, more antique and square, diverging from the other that has a high-tech design, rounder and cleaner; in addition not only of their skills and power but their diverse directrixes too, their love overcame these little ‘details’. Furthermore, all trouble they passed to save the plant and come back Earth was not enough to separate them.  

I confess I cried seeing feelings blooming inside him and Eve, while they figured out their sensitivities, dancing together, joining their mechanic hands, touching each other with their robotic types of fingers. I’m a silly girl, I admit: I believe in love at the first sight, even firstly from just one of the parts. Sometimes is necessary some time to happen reciprocally.

However it may be, hope springs eternal (on the movie, the little plant is a live proof of it - a real reason to believe!). Further: lonely, the small automaton used to have a workaholic daily routine amassing and stacking lots of garbage (besides collect interesting items) until know her… It said that good things come to those who wait. I think they are quite right.

Anything is possible.

hegemoniac things must come to an end too

Even the biggest empires such as Greek, Roman, along with the Mongolia and also the native peoples of South America (Incas, Mayas and Aztecas) succumbed. Since then, it’s impressive that their languages have spoken only locally nowadays - in Greek in Greece, Italian in Italy, Mongolian in Mongolia and some are not spoken anymore due to the genocide of that ethnic groups. 

Alternatively, England colonization’s effects can be seen (as well as heard) recently in many countries around the world - US, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zeeland, likewise some nations in Africa and in United Kingdom. In the same way, no one would dispute that Spain dominated culturally its colonies - giving rise to them speak Spanish until now. France (with Napoleon), Holland (with Vikings) and Portugal (with its navigations) have their “attached” over the continents.  

I’m pointing this politic reality at the same time I disagree with the misbehaviour adopted for these settlers. As far as I’m concerned it would be better if each place would have its own traditional idiom. On the other hand, though overcoming the local culture (in name of God and colonist kings too), some places keep their local dialects, even being background. India is a good example of that.

At these days, neither wars nor economic problems are delimitating factors for this kind of changes anymore. Once, I got to think that it will be possible the American English cross all borders due to the capitalism voracity, similarly to what happened earlier to Latin, which predominate as a scientific code throughout many centuries. Cycles... I really don’t know if, in the future, everybody will speak mandarin, for instance, but I don't doubt. As I finished the former text: everything is possible or ‘impossible is nothing’!

holy grazing TV

I’m going to write this post in Portuguese due to my indignation and frustration.

Eu venho lá do Brasil para chegar aqui na Europa e assistir TV na minha língua? Na boa, preferia estar treinando o meu inglês, vendo a programação internacional - afinal, são uns 300 canais! Mas não… Dia e noite é só sermão de pastor, programas de baixa qualidade (infelizmente, porque dá para ver que o investimento é grande) e produtos de uma imprensa marrom: SÓ DESGRAÇA!

Essa é a Record Internacional - presente fulltime na minha vida atual.

Reclamo MUITO enquanto assisto! Chego a ser chata, admito. Mas é impossível ser diferente diante o que vejo. Não estudei para ficar vendo merda. Não consigo. Fico triste em vivenciar uma substimação e degradação da capacidade intelectual do público espectador brasileiro que mora no exterior. E isso nada tem a ver com crenças religiosas.

Poderia ser melhor (vi que posso inclusive trabalhar para eles sem problemas algum! Nada do que eles fazem é estranho ou difícil a mim), mas não é. Estando for a, o quadro fica ainda pior porque o nível das propagandas e dos programas gringos, por exemplo, é infinitamente superior ao nosso. Tenho tentado subverter o “sistema” instaurado onde eu moro, para ver uma programação digna.

Mas o pior: eles gostam! - sem se questionar sobre o que assistem diariamente.

A mula ruge… os burros, não (forte, mas é verdade!).

forrobodó

Avoiding my twisted roots.

I’m impressed with the quantity of Brazilians in Amsterdam. Actually, sometimes some of them simply don’t seem as us (or ‘Am I an E.T.?’). I know that our country is too huge and our culture is so vast… So, is understandable that I am not like most of them (or they aren‘t like me). However, it doesn’t mean that I'm proud or agree with their behaviour.

Their limited music preferences (sertanejo, forró and pagode - the popular ones, not the classic and 'old school'), alongside the wrong way to talk (I’m sure that I can speak English better than they the correct Portuguese!) leave me upset! Not only that, but some (dispensable) little lies and excuses, as the mania to be in vantage of others, besides the excessive sexuality etc, defame and also defile our reputation abroad.

I would like to be now in touch with another people, practicing my English or trying to speak Dutch or other language, learning (about) another culture, getting its new background… I need this break and not to be living this lack (a typical “samba do crioulo doido”) .

I wish for novelty (and respect!).

california of mine

I think one of the best anniversary gifts I received (actually the most expressive, which I will never forget!) not only this year, but in my whole life, was my father's one. Asked for, he gave me his 'top ten list' of Rio Grande do Sul's Music (called there “Gaudéria” aswell), including latin songs from our hermanos.

This is our reality - for who doesn’t know us and also our culture: we are joined to them over and above borders. Unfortunately we only can’t speak the same language - in fact not EXACTLY… since, there, we are used to speak a kind of castellano, or a “portunhol” due to the proximity to them.

As a consequence to have been given to me, it is my list now! I was deeply touched when I read his email sent to me, not only owing to my birthday, whereas it is something related with my roots too. Obviously, I've approved it - as much, then I am obligated to post here! Thus, let’s see:

1 - Cordas de Espinho, from Luiz Coronel (who were my father’s college professor). Became famous the version recorded by Fafá de Belém;

2 - Guri, from Cesar Passarinho;

3 - Canto Alegretense, from Antonio Augusto Fagundes (Nico Fagundes) and Bagre Fagundes;

4 - Pedi ao Vento, from Os Monarcas (actual);

5 - Orelhano, from Eleu da Slva (doctor from Rosário do Sul), recorded by the argentine singer Dante Ramon Ledesma;

6 - Romance na Tafona, from Luiz Carlos Borges;

7 - Los Hermanos, argentine, recorded by Mercedes Sosa. However, the best version is Elis Regina’s one;

8 - El Condor Pasa, icon of Chilen’s music and latin american folklore;

9 - Céu, Sol, Sul, from Leonardo;

10 - Sabe Moço, from Leopoldo Rassier, of “Não Podemo se Entregá Pros Home” (a protest song).

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is my musical theme of my cultural roots and traditions. What is yours?

grrrrosseria

Embora pareça, não estou com raiva quando falo assim. É meu dutch (em fase inicial) na prática.

Com tantos ‘r’s, não me surpreendem os prováveis (inevitáveis  e reais) problemas de garganta nos holandeses, que sejam naturalmente roucos. O problema é  o ar frio - não do clima somente, mas quando eles (muito sisudos) parecem não estar gostando de nada, insatisfeitos, fechados em seu mundo – curto e grosso, cheio de RRRRRuídos estranhos e fortes, que (ainda) quase nada consigo identificar.

Diz a lenda que amor e ódio estão bastante próximos. Que seja assim, no caso, nessa língua.

sola

A diferença da língua, a facilidade em desfocar, a barreira cultural evidenciada em cada gesto e pensamento... na frieza de ser, diferente do nosso calor humano. Isso, por si só, já explicaria a singularidade de meus dias, sola in Amsterdam. Não entendo (e até admiro, surpresa), como conseguem, ser assim, tão diretos, e, na independência de se “achar”, não se perder...

Um chute no estômago de quem vive de oba oba. Aqui, o buraco é mais embaixo...(!) do nível do mar.

No, I know that isn't easy, is difficult be here. But I like it, and I've been trying.

talking about

Para que terapia se podemos conversar?

Foi engraçado chegar à conclusão que, todas as semanas, faço algumas sessões, involuntariamente. Não vou a um consultório, frequento apenas as aulas de conversação do meu curso de inglês e, de uma forma natual e espontânea, abro-me com meus colegas.

Na verdade, é uma troca, pois os ouço também... o que fizeram no último final de semana, suas preferências - cores, time de futebol, comida, e por aí vai. Fato: essa ‘terapia em grupo’ pode ser a única chance para muitos de nós falarmos de nós mesmos, e sabermos do próximo.

Como não poderia deixar de ser, mostro-me bem ativa. Por vezes, questiono-me se agrado (não que me preocupe com isso na elaboração de meus discursos, ao dividir minhas respostas), mas gostaria MESMO de não ser considerada aquela chata que todos respiram fundo quando começa a falar, desaprovando-a silenciosamente, perguntando-se logo na primeira frase quando vai acabar. Pior quando sinto que acabo tirando a oportunidade de alguém mais inibido se expressar por engatar a quinta empolgada.

Provavelmente devo apavorar os presentes no recinto vez que outra com minha sinceridade, my way of life. Estando ali para aprender e praticar outra língua, não tenho tempo para, além de me preocupar com a gramática da coisa, com o fluir do pensamento, criar um personagem, tentando ser uma persona grata. Com essa falta de papas na língua e um histórico curioso a ponto de levantar sobrancelhas alheias (e até algumas suspeitas, ou ânimos), mais fácil ser o oposto.

Acredito que seja assim em qualquer cursinho – de grego, latim, russo, esperanto ou mandarim. Apresentamo-nos a cada encontro, e conhecemos o outro, seu pensamento diferente – com certas limitações, claro, pelo vocabulário incompleto e as incertezas na conclusão das ideias. Talvez sejamos mais ingênuos e nos exponhamos o suficiente pela falta de malícia do idioma, mas isso não é ruim. Somos cada um o reflexo de seu interior exteriorizado em pequenas banalidades que dizem muito sobre a gente (no caso: em outra língua).

aonde se pode ir

A primeira impressão é a que fica, até que se prove o contrário...

Tecnologia, frio e menos taxas.

Logo no avião já se percebe o que de melhor se pode oferecer quanto a conforto em pouco espaço, e muito tempo no mesmo lugar. Missão difícil, mas que a tecnologia se ocupa e soluciona tão bem. Praticidade pouca é bobagem. A necessidade faz o padrão – primeiro mundo é outra realidade.

Um fevereiro rigoroso, de temperaturas e eventos climáticos extremos. Aqui e agora, frio intenso, ar gélido, dias ensolarados de luz fotográfica perfeita e poucos graus é o que se vê, sente, vive. A esperança é que neve. E a previsão anima os turistas e familiares (ansiosos), que aguardam por registros da viagem.

Os bons preços satisfazem. Nosso governo deveria se inspirar na onda dos refrigerecos zero e dar um tempo dos impostos. Ampliando e aperfeiçoando a idéia do IPI reduzido, bem que poderia contemplar agora outros setores como vestuário, higiene e por que não educação, cultura e lazer também? Seria o sonho.

Estou realizando um, na melhor companhia possível. A energia é ótima, as intenções fluem, acertadas. Ganhar o mundo é o caminho a seguir, filosofia de vida. Conhecer lugares, histórias diversas, gente diferente, novas línguas... um velho continente de possibilidades onde idioma, dinheiro e fronteiras não limitam. Era hora. Não me acordem.