Monday, March 7, 2011

A FRENCH PRIMER: PENMANSHIP




Here's a useful travel tip I've never encountered before in any guidebook: get to know the subtle differences between French cursive writing and your own. When in France it could help reading chalkboard menus, signs, a child's homework and who knows, maybe even romantic handwritten notes.


Above is an abécédaire model like the ones used in the écoles primaires. Remember, this is the base; movement, rhythm, intensity and space vary from one writer to another. Note the differences with the American style of forming p's, v's, w's and particularly the capital G's, J's, S's, T's and X's.


An important word about numbers. Many French people's handwritten "4" resembles most Americans' "6", which can make for a great deal of confusion in a number of circumstances!

This is a French "4" not a "6".
Vocabulary
abécédaire: a small book to learn the ABC's
école primaire: primary school

©2011 P.B. Lecron



An update!
Reading children's books in a foreign language, at no matter what age, is a great jump-start for the acquisition of a second language! If you're learning French, or simply looking for a children's book in French, then here's our own recommendation, a story which highlights the importance of helping others, complete with charming text and aquarelle illustrations: Le lapin et la lune, écrit par Marianne Lecron, illustré par P. B. Lecron

And it's available in English, too! The Rabbit and the Moon

Both titles are available on Amazon sites worldwide.




Click on the following titles to take a peek!
Le Lapin et le Roi Grenouille
The Rabbit and King Frog
Le lapin et la lune
The Rabbit and the Moon
©2018 P. B. Lecron

And there is still more!
Fast forward to 2021 and three new children's fairy tales on our bookshelf!  We would like to share with you! We've been busy and hope you enjoy reading these fully illustrated books to your children, or using them as a resource for improving your French! Remember, they are written in the imparfait and passé simple; but it's easier than you think! Click on the titles to check them out. Available on worldwide Amazon sites.







Une Véritable Petite Souris


©2021 P. B. Lecron

10 comments:

  1. Looks a lot like the "Nuevas Letras" we were made to learn in school! (I went to a Spanish school in Manila)

    Then I met one of my best friends, who moved from the states, and copied her sharp, slanted penmanship. Haha

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  2. Heureux Celui Qui A Conformé Sa Vie à Ses Projets.
    Grace a l ecriture & la lecture plus d ignorance

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  3. There's also the "seven" = 7 .
    I have problems to teach this to my young french kids. As they are learning to write a 7 in the french way, I don't know what to say, how to teach them. What do you think Patti ?

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  4. This is a abundant blog and actual agreeable too. Excellent assignment. Nice thought you share it good keep it up.The advice that provided is actual able-bodied accounting and informative. Thank you for administration admirable information.

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  5. Do you recommend any books that show the strokes available in the US? Thank you.

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  6. Why Can't you Let Me Copy and Paste It ?

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  7. I have an Italian friend who writes similar to this. I think it's just beautiful!

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  8. Actually no, a french "4" doesn't look anything like this. I'm French and I can't recognise it. We write the 4 as shown in the model you showed on top of the page.
    You might like theses handwriting booklets, I used them in The 90's, they are very cute!
    Lower case https://manuelsanciens.blogspot.com/2012/09/grosgurin-cahier-eglantine-ce1.html
    Upper case https://manuelsanciens.blogspot.com/2012/06/grosgurin-cahier-capucine-ce2.html

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  9. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post on French primer penmanship. It's fascinating to delve into the historical aspect of teaching penmanship and the specific techniques employed in French education. The emphasis on proper letter formation and consistency is essential for developing neat and legible handwriting skills. The inclusion of examples and exercises adds practicality to your blog, making it a valuable resource for both educators and learners. Thank you for sharing your insights and expertise on this topic! French lessons

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