Extract : La ballade de
la geôle de
Some time ago I was watching a popular programme, Vivement dimanche, fronted by Michel Drucker. He introduced a well known French actor, Richard Bohringer, who stood up and - amazingly - recited the first six verses of The Ballad of Reading Gaol - in French. Why amazingly ? Well, you would be unlikely to hear Wilde being recited on a British chat show, and I can't really imagine one of our bright young British actors reciting the first few verses of Fleurs du Mal on prime time TV.
The other source of amazement is that it should work. The translator has tried to retain the characteristic rhythm, and has captured the sad passion of the piece. It works. It's a good listening exercise.
The English of these verses is given in the text
. Text here Listen to it here.
. Text here Listen to it here.
French Accents – Français 'standardisé'
There are – despite the impression you get from radio and television – as many different French as there are English accents. Paris – which is the 'standard' for the country, harbours art least three – corresponding roughly to our Cockney, middle-class and Home Counties. So here's an example of upper crust French...
Text here Listen to it here. Isabelle
Martin Winckler - La Maison Molière
Here is my favourite writer - and reader - of short stories. The good doctor invites us to consider L'affaire Molière
Text here Listen to it here. Francois