2023-05-02 10:08:06
Why do I need to know mot-valise?
Because you may have expected the word you use in English for this to be the same in French.
What does it mean?
portmanteau – roughly pronounced moh val-eez – translates precisely to “word-suitcase”.
It is a French word that describes taking two words, combining them, and building another – for example ‘Brexit’ combines Britain and exit, or ‘bromance’ combining bro or brother and romance.
Oddly enough, English speakers call this type of word a portmanteau – the French word for a large travelling bag – but in France, people instead say portmanteau.
An example of a commonly used French portmanteau would be the term frenglisha combination of French and English (French and English).
Interestingly, the word portmanteau in French was inspired by the English-language usage of portmanteau in British writer Lewis Caroll’s novel Through the Looking Glass. In the book, Humpty Dumpty tells Alice that a portmanteau word contains two meanings “packed into one word”. Together, they learn about the word “slithy” – a combination of slimy and lithe.
The plural form of portmanteau is portmanteau words.
Use it like this
He told me that the portmanteau word, franglais, should be avoided because languages evolve naturally. Franglais is therefore not correct. – He told me that the portmanteau “franglais” should be avoided because languages naturally evolve. Thus, “franglais” is not accurate.
My favorite portmanteau is Twictée – the combination of Twitter and dictation. This is a new tool to help students learn dictation better, while combining a social network known to them. – My favourite portmanteau is “Twictée” in French. It combines Twitter and dictation. It is a new tool to help students better learn dictation, while combining a social media they are familiar with.
#French #Word #Day #Motvalise