Overview

Everybody knows that the histories of England, and then Britain, and of France have, one way or another, been closely connected since at least the time of the Norman Conquest. And yet, this long-standing warm, and sometimes not so warm, relationship has been accompanied by different ways in which everyday things are done and said in our two countries. In a well-researched, factual, highly entertaining and easily readable account, Richard Symington examines the differences in traditions and contemporary customs in France and Britain and the way our languages differ and, indeed, in some respects are the same. His account is interspersed with his comments, sometimes sarcastic, amusing anecdotes, humour, and much relevant and interesting history. The book is a must for anyone wishing to be reminded of the rich Norman French heritage of the English language, to discover interesting facts about French life generally, to navigate curiosities and oddities and, dare it be said, some anomalies and idiosyncrasies of the French language and of the French way of doing things, to learn some relevant snippets from history, or simply to improve their French, both spoken and written, and anyone who plans to visit France, on holiday or business, and wants some good topics with which to open up conversations.

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9781037114939

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After graduating from the London School of Economics in 1977, Richard qualified as a chartered accountant and then became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. During his time working for a large firm of chartered accountants, he spent two years on secondment to the Bank of England. He has practiced as a management consultant since the late 1990s. Over the last 25 years or so Richard has been a prolific writer of letters to a national newspaper and to a weekly political and current affairs magazine on a wide range of subjects. He was born and brought up in Porto, Portugal, and he and his French wife and their two daughters live in southwest London. He speaks Portuguese and French.

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