The Routledge French Cultural References Dictionary

Revised and now in its second edition, The Routledge Dictionary of Cultural References in Modern French goes beyond the limited approach of traditional bilingual dictionaries by revealing the hidden cultural dimension of contemporary French as used in the press. Even foreign learners of French who possess a good level of proficiency often struggle to fully comprehend French articles not due to linguistic shortcomings, but rather because of their inadequate knowledge of cultural references.

This cultural dictionary of French offers clear and concise explanations of the crucial cultural dimension behind the most frequently used words and phrases found in the contemporary French press. This vital background information, gathered in this innovative and entertaining dictionary, enables readers to grasp the hidden yet implied cultural significance that is transparent to native speakers, allowing them to go beyond a superficial understanding of the French press and language in general.

The fully revised second edition includes a broad range of cultural references from historical and literary to popular and classical, as well as an enhanced analysis of punning mechanisms used in the press. It explains over 3,000 cultural references with updated examples and provides a three-level indicator of frequency. The new and expanded chapters cover the French of Quebec, institutional and academic references, and English borrowings in IT and medical science, and over 600 online questions are available to test knowledge before and after reading.

The Routledge Dictionary of Cultural References in Modern French is an ideal reference for undergraduate and postgraduate students of French seeking to enhance their understanding of the language. It is also valuable for teachers, translators, and Francophiles. Additionally, French students in khgne, Sciences-Po, and journalism schools will find this book relevant for their studies.

Access to test questions and solutions is available at www.routledge.com/9780367376758, along with three online chapters exploring figurative expressions involving animal names, the language of law, and slang terms.

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