Now living in Ontario, I miss out on most of the stuff happening in Québec… and it is quite unfortunate! Last Sunday, Dave watched “Tout le monde en parle” on Radio-Canada and he asked me if I had seen the ad on the phoque… I actually had no clue what he was talking about!
Therefore, this morning, I did some research and found it on YouTube… and it is hilarious! To put you into context, here is the story…
A couple of weeks ago, Stephen Harper announced that he was cutting in the Canadian Arts and Culture programs by $45 millions!… On the other hand, parents with kids registered into “art programs” such as piano lessons will get a credit on their income tax… Personally, I prefer attending a concert rather than listening to a kid practicing violin! I guess it is a matter of personal taste!…
Anyways… to make a story short, artists from Québec were very upset (sinon carrément furieux) because most of the Canadian artistic and cultural portfolio contains goods from this province… I would even state that almost the whole film industry is located in Québec! I do not recall any movies made in Canada lately… yet I can give you quite an exhaustive list of films québécois!
These two videos are for you, Jessica and Susan!
You cannot do worse than these Anglos at your oral test tomorrow morning!
To watch the actual 3 minut ad, click on the link below
And if you want to see the 8 minut version of the same ad, click on the link below
What is a PHOQUE in French? (extended version)
Enjoy yourself all! There is nothing like a good laugh!
8 Comments
Merci, merci, merci . . . oh, how I needed a good laugh today
Diane…
Glad I provided you with something that made you laugh! I admit I needed it myself today!
Because I have younger learners, I absolutely avoid teaching the word “phoque.” It’s just not worth it!
Très drôle, Lyne ! Stéphane Rousseau est connu en France mais pas Benoît Brière.
Il y a les portraits d’un homme et d’une femme derrière le jury. L’homme pose devant le drapeau des États-Unis (je suppose qu’il s’agit d’humour). Qui est-il ?
I have an anecdote for you Diane… In Montréal, I had this student whose daughter was in French grade school… she was 8 at the time… she had to read a story and it was about a seal. He would be in the living room and she would be reading out loud in the kitchen and here how it went:
“Il y avait un phoque NOT ours dad, THEIRS sur une banquise et il était triste. Un jour le phoque NOT ours dad, THEIRS… and so on…”
Apparently it was very funny because she was saying it with the same voice debit, as if she were reading! I do understand why you do avoid the word though!
Bonjour Isabelle!
Benoit Brière est l’un de nos meilleurs comédiens… longtemps il a été associé à Bell Canada (la compagnie nationale de services téléphoniques)… dans les pubs de Bell, il jouait différents rôles (un père, un ado, un grand-père, une femme, etc.)… il était absolument époustouflant!
Quant à l’homme qui pose sur la photo devant le drapeau américain, c’est notre Premier Ministre en personne (Stephen Harper)… on l’accuse souvent d’être à la remorque des États-Unis et de téter Bush (voilà l’humour derrière ce cliché)…
À bientôt!
Bonsoir Lyne, I won’t attempt to use my very out of practice French in front of an expert but while waiting for my cold to pass, I’m reading emails, blogs, etc. and took a quick peek at the video, very cute!
A laugh is much more fun than cough syrup, merci. Us Anglos should stick to English and drinking tea.
P.S. I love how you’re using your blog like a conversation!!!
marti… How nice of you to stop by my blog (which is very far from the usual stuff you read: marketing!)!… Indeed, a good laugh is the best medicine I know. Therefore anytime you need one, you’ll be sure to find it here!
… I try my best to keep things not too serious in spite of the topics.
Take care of that nasty cold of yours, so you can be back on your feet soon!…
P.S. Thanks for the compliment, I know you mean it (otherwise you wouldn’t say anything!)…