French Podcast Ep# 17: Les blagues (French Jokes)
Listen for free to the 17th episode of the Talk in French Podcast and learn all about French jokes and some examples.
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Now before we listen to the free podcast episode, here are some quick reminders:Are you ready? Here is Episode #17.Have you ever found yourself wondering what kind of humor the French people have… or if indeed the French joke at all?
Well, you’re in luck because today, I’m sharing with you one episode from the Talk in French advanced level podcast. And the topic is all about…. Les blagues! French jokes!
Yes, the French do know how to joke, and in this episode, my co-host Katie and I talk about the kind of humor French people have, and we’ll share some examples of French jokes, too.
This episode is the 17th episode of the Talk in French advanced level podcast.
Now before we listen to the free podcast episode, here are some quick reminders:
- This podcast is ideal for advanced level French learners. That would be at least B2 (Upper Intermediate) to C1 (Advanced) and C2 (Proficient) in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
- Those who are not yet advanced level learners can still use this podcast to practice their listening skills. This episode in particular would be useful in training your ears to listen to French conversations and help you appreciate French humor.
Are you ready? Here is Episode #17.
French jokes, ladies and gentlemen.
Listening companion: humor, context and useful French
Use this edited guide alongside the episode. It highlights the discussion and useful vocabulary rather than reproducing every line of the conversation.
Frédéric and Katie discuss humor across cultures, vocabulary from a press article, and why wordplay can lose its punch when translated. Later, they discuss examples of jokes and criticize inappropriate humor. The news and travel-advice references belong to the episode’s 2016 context.
What to listen for
- How the speakers explain unfamiliar words in simpler French and English.
- Why a joke that works in one language may need explaining in another.
- The difference between laughing at a play on words and agreeing with the attitude behind a joke.
- How tone, context and the people listening affect the way a joke is received.
Vocabulary to keep handy
- à l’égard detoward; with regard to. The meaning depends on the sentence.
- anodin / anodineharmless, insignificant or unimportant, depending on context. Des propos anodins: harmless or seemingly unimportant remarks.
- la pudibonderieprudishness. The word is disapproving: it suggests excessive concern about modesty or propriety.
- une piquea jibe or cutting remark that can hurt someone’s feelings.
- exigeant / exigeantedemanding. Des tests exigeants: demanding tests.
- guetterto watch for or keep a lookout for someone or something. Guetter l’arrivée du bus: watch for the bus to arrive.
- un jeu de mots / des jeux de motsa play on words / wordplay. A pun may depend on similar sounds or different meanings of a word, so a literal translation can miss the joke.
- l’humour / l’humeurhumor / mood. J’aime son humour: I like their sense of humor. Je suis de bonne humeur: I’m in a good mood.
Try it while listening
Listen once for the overall conversation. On a second listen, pause when a word above comes up and explain it in your own words. Then choose a joke from your own language: does it depend on sound, meaning or cultural context? Could you explain why it is funny in French?
Vocabulary references: Académie française: pudibonderie, pique, anodin, exigeant, guetter, jeu de mots, humour, humeur; Government of Canada: à l’égard de.
