OGDEN's BASIC ENGLISH
Thoughts for a French Supplement

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This page is a draft with good intentions.

Review of a French-English wordlist finds these easily recognizable words.    
A B C D

FRENCH - ENGLISH
abhorre abhor abject abject abricot apricot absence absinths absolu absolution absorbant acceptable acces accident acclamation accolade accommadant accompagnateur accompli accord accrediter acoustique acquereur acrobate activer actuel adage adaptation addition adepte adherent administratateur administre admirble admissible adolescence adoption adresse adroit adulte adultere adberbe adversaire aeor- affable affecation affection affilation affirmation affliction affluence affluence affront age age agence agency agenda adenda agent agent
B
C
D

And without much stretch, these words may be considered.

a
b
c
d

Methodology. These lists has not been refereed and certainly not authoritative or do they include all words of commonality between English and French. The list is taken from Larousse's French-English Dictionary, 25,000 words.
Omissions are totally my error and additions and corrections are sought to improve the lists.

3 . A similar technique should find another list of words of English origin that have been integrated into standard French or otherwise known to all French speakers. These are likely to include many words of technology and commerce. Because I am not a French speaker such a list must be compiled by others. A submitted list will be displayed here with accreditation to the compiler(s).

4 . The final Basic English Supplementary List for Spanish will be merged, refereed and condensed from the three sources. Preference will be given to words of greatest commercial or conversational usage. Remember that BASIC English means British American Scientific, International and Commercial English.
To do : subtract out those words already in Basic English 850 and International words, and flag those also in other supplemental lists.

5 . The following expressions are probably understood by English speakers although with a French flavor. The are not standard English words.

au revoir	- good bye
bon		- good
bon ami		- good friend
bon appetit	- enjoy your meal
bonbon		- bonbon, candy
bonheur		- happiness
bonhomie	- friendliness
bonhomme	- good man
bonjour        	- good morning, good day, hello
bon marche	- good market, at a bargain
bonsoir		- good evening
bon vivant	- man-about-town
bourgeois	- middle classes *
boutique	- specialty shop *
boutonniere	- flower worn in lapel. *
garcon		- waiter, boy
madame		- Mrs.	*
mademoiselle	- Miss
merci		- thank you
merde		- dreck, nuts!
mon ami		- my friend
mon cher	- my dear
mon Dieu	- my God!, good heavens
moment		- in a moment
non		- no
nom de guerre	- war name, pseudonym
nom de plume	- pen name
oui		- yes
se vois pla	- please
tres bien       - very good

6 . Many English expressions and idioms are known to most French speakers, but will not be found in a "correct french" dictionary. This list is also solicited for display with accreditation.

OTHER LANGUAGES.

Submissions and links are desired.
Perhaps someone with access to word lists could match two languages. See our start in Spanish


French is addressed here as part of the determination of international words. A separate list is started to acknowldge words in common between the langauges as an a aid to the instructor and to expose the similarity's of langage, rather than their differences.

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About this Page: French.html -- Worksheets for the creation of a French Supplement for Basic English.
Last updated November 19, 2002.
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