Date/Time
Date(s) - 14/07/2025
18:30 - 20:00
Location
Press Club Brussels Europe
Categories
An informal Press Club / Chambre Belge des Traducteurs et Interprètes
fun dive into French-English language/cultural influences
We will start with ‘Honni soit qui mal y pense’ (also the name of a wonderful book by Henriette Walter) and why it is on British passports to this day…
Join us on Bastille Day for a friendly, low-key dive into the world of French language and culture, and its many influences on English. Led by fellow translator Julian Hale, this informal session is part mini-talk, part cultural exchange, part quiz night — with plenty of room for your own input.
What to expect:
- A short, relaxed talk (10–15 min) on the historical impact of French on English — from the Norman Conquest to today’s “déjà vus” and “rendez-vous”.
- A few of Julian’s personal favourites from French culture: sports, cinema, Voltaire, and of course, Astérix!
- A roundtable-style chat, where participants can share:
- Their favourite French word or expression
- A film, book, dish, or cultural quirk they love
- Examples of cross-linguistic influence (from French to English, or the other way around!)
- A light-hearted quiz (10–20 questions) to test your Franglais prowess — prizes: eternal glory and bragging rights.
This is not a formal lecture. Just a relaxed, slightly improvised, and fun celebration of everything we love (or love to hate) about French.
Come for the words, stay for the wine (or at least good company).
Free · Small contribution welcome (e.g. €10)
RSVP either to this message or directly to Julian: julianahale@gmail.com
Julian Hale
Freelance video producer/note taker/copywriter/translator/journalist
Mother tongue: English
Foreign languages: French, Spanish, Italian and German
Mobile (Belgium): (+32) 473 690 749