Language

Avignon

Avignonnais speak French in the sing-song tones of the Midi. Many of the older generation speak Provençal, the Romance language of southern France, closely related to Latin. Even those who do not, pepper their speech with Provençalisms.

In spite of the French government's refusal to support regional languages, associations are springing up in Avignon and around to educate Avignonnais in their linguistic heritage. Avignon-born singer Guy Bonnet sings in Provençal, and popular media personality Jean-Pierre Belmon ensures that the local radio station France Vaucluse Avignon and regional television station Provençale France 3 Méditerrané produce regular programmes in Provençal. The publication Lou Flouregian has a small readership but a greater history – born of the Felibrige movement founded by Frédéric Mistral and Avignon-born Théodore Aubanel, who fought to save the Provençal heritage (see Literary Notes section). Events featuring the Provençal language and culture will take pride of place in the year 2000 celebrations.

Phrases

Yes - Oui
No - Non
Hello - Bonjour
Goodbye - Au revoir
Please - S'il vous plaît
Thank you - Merci
My name is … - Je m'appelle …
How are you? - Comment ça va?
I'm very well - Ça va bien
I feel ill - Je ne me sens pas bien
How much does it cost? - Combien est-ce que ça coûte?
Do you speak - Est-ce que vous
English? - parlez anglais?
I don't understand - Je ne comprends pas
Where is …? - Où est …?
Entrance - Entrée
Exit - Sortie
Danger - Danger
Open - Ouvert
Closed - Fermé
Toilets - Toilettes
Doctor - Médecin
Hotel - Hôtel
Restaurant - Restaurant
Beer - Bière
Wine - Vin
Menu - Menu
Today - Aujourd'hui
Tomorrow - Demain
Monday - Lundi
Tuesday - Mardi
Wednesday - Mercredi
Thursday - Jeudi
Friday - Vendredi
Saturday - Samedi
Sunday - Dimanche
One - Un / Une
Two - Deux
Three - Trois
Four - Quatre
Five - Cinq
Six - Six
Seven - Sept
Eight - Huit
Nine - Neuf
Ten - Dix
Twenty - Vingt
Thirty - Trente
Forty - Quarante
Fifty - Cinquante
Sixty - Soixante
Seventy - Soixante-dix
Eighty - Quatre-vingt
Ninety - Quatre-vingt dix
One Hundred - Cent
One Thousand - Mille