21/11/2001
- The Charm of Belgian French: Beyond the Borders
- 'Le Dictionnaire Des Belgicismes': A Belgian Lexicon
- Common Belgicisms: A Practical Guide
- Beyond the Dictionary: Cultural Nuances
- Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
- 'Dikkenek': A Cinematic Showcase
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion: Embracing Linguistic Diversity
The Charm of Belgian French: Beyond the Borders
While geographically close to France, Belgium boasts a distinct and colourful linguistic flavour within the French language. Belgian French, or 'le français de Belgique', is a fascinating dialect enriched by historical influences, particularly from Dutch, as well as its own unique evolutionary path. This linguistic divergence often leads to amusing misunderstandings with our French neighbours, who might find themselves perplexed by terms that are perfectly commonplace in Belgium. If you're planning a visit or simply curious about this linguistic gem, understanding some key belgicismes is essential.
'Le Dictionnaire Des Belgicismes': A Belgian Lexicon
At the heart of understanding this unique dialect lies 'Le Dictionnaire Des Belgicismes', a comprehensive work compiled by Georges Lebouc. First published in 2006, this dictionary serves as the definitive guide to the Belgian French lexicon. It meticulously catalogues words and expressions that are quintessentially Belgian, some of which are so deeply ingrained in everyday speech that their origin might be a surprise. Lebouc's work highlights how Belgian French is not just a collection of oddities, but a living, breathing entity with its own rich history and character.
Common Belgicisms: A Practical Guide
To give you a taste of this unique vocabulary, here are some frequently encountered belgicismes, alongside their standard French equivalents and illustrative examples:
| Belgicisme | Standard French Equivalent | Meaning/Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| Avoir dur | Avoir des difficultés | "J’ai vraiment dur à l’école." (I'm really struggling at school.) |
| Endéans | Dans le délai de | "Votre commande sera exécutée endéans les huit jours." (Your order will be processed within eight days.) |
| Bande de circulation | Voie de circulation | "Change un peu de bande, il roule trop lentement devant." (Change lanes a bit, the car in front is going too slowly.) |
| Bas-collants | Collants | "Ce soir, je vais mettre une robe avec des bas-collants pour ne pas avoir froid." (Tonight, I'll wear a dress with tights to stay warm.) |
| Baxter | Perfusion / Goutte-à-goutte | "Il s’est levé et a subitement arraché son baxter avant de sortir de l’hôpital." (He got up and suddenly pulled out his IV drip before leaving the hospital.) |
| Buser | Recaler / Faire échouer à un examen | "Le professeur m'a busé à l'examen de mathématiques." (The professor failed me in the maths exam.) |
| Caillant | Glacial / Très froid | "Il fait caillant ici ! T’as ouvert les fenêtres ?" (It's freezing here! Did you open the windows?) |
| Carrousel | Manège forain | "Tu veux faire un tour dans le carrousel de la foire ?" (Do you want to have a ride on the fairground carousel?) |
| Chatouiller | Démanger | "Mon dos me chatouille ! Tu veux bien gratter ?" (My back is itching! Could you scratch it for me?) |
| Chemisette | Marcel (sous-vêtement) | "T’as mis une chemisette en dessous de ton pull ?" (Are you wearing a vest under your jumper?) |
| Chipoter | Tripoter / Jouer avec | "Arrête de chipoter tes boutons, tu vas avoir des cicatrices !" (Stop fiddling with your spots, you'll get scars!) |
| Clignoteur | Clignotant | "Veuillez mettre votre clignoteur lorsque vous tournez à une intersection." (Please use your indicator when turning at an intersection.) |
| Clenche | Poignée (de porte) | "J’ai cassé la clenche de la porte…" (I've broken the door handle…) |
| Cloche | Cloque / Ampoule (au pied) | "C’est encore loin ? Parce qu’avec mes cloches, j’ai trop mal aux pieds !" (Is it much further? Because my blisters are making my feet hurt so much!) |
| Compte à vue | Compte courant | "J’ai récemment ouvert un compte à vue auprès de ma banque." (I recently opened a current account with my bank.) |
| Crolle | Boucle de cheveux | "C’est joli tes crolles ! C'est naturel ?" (Your curls are lovely! Are they natural?) |
| Cuistax | Voiture à pédales | "Quand je vais à la mer, je fais toujours du cuistax !" (When I go to the seaside, I always ride a pedal car!) |
| Cumulet | Culbute / Galipette | "Trois ans que je fais de la gymnastique et je ne sais toujours pas faire un cumulet arrière !" (I've been doing gymnastics for three years and still can't do a backward somersault!) |
| Divan | Canapé | "On vient d’acheter un nouveau divan pour le salon." (We've just bought a new sofa for the living room.) |
| Dix-heures | Grignotage du matin / Goûter du matin | "Il va toujours à l’école sans prendre son dix-heures… Il va avoir faim avant la pause du midi !" (He always goes to school without his mid-morning snack… He'll be hungry before lunchtime!) |
| Écouter | Obéir | "Tu ferais bien d’écouter tes professeurs, tu vas encore avoir une punition !" (You'd better listen to your teachers, you'll get detention again!) |
| Essuie | Serviette (de bain, de vaisselle) | "Tu peux me ramener l’essuie ? Je vais sortir du bain !" (Can you bring me the towel? I'm getting out of the bath!) |
| Faire la file | Faire la queue | "Dès notre arrivée, les gens faisaient déjà la file." (As soon as we arrived, people were already queuing.) |
| Fancy-Fair | Fête de bienfaisance / Kermesse | "Tu participes aussi à la tombola de la fancy-fair organisée par l’école ?" (Are you also taking part in the raffle at the school's charity fair?) |
| Farde | Classeur / Chemise | "Classe bien chacune des feuilles reçue en classe dans ta farde !" (File all the sheets you received in class properly in your binder!) |
| GSM | Téléphone portable | "Ton GSM sonne. Tu attendais un appel ?" (Your mobile is ringing. Were you expecting a call?) |
| Griffe | Égratignure / Éraflure | "J’ai deux énormes griffes sur le bras à cause de mon chat…" (I have two huge scratches on my arm from my cat…) |
| Heure de table | Pause déjeuner | "Est-ce que tu peux m’appeler plus tard ? Je suis en heure de table là." (Can you call me later? I'm on my lunch break now.) |
| Jogging | Survêtement | "Le dimanche, j’aime bien mettre un jogging pour être tranquille." (On Sundays, I like to wear my tracksuit to relax.) |
| Loque | Chiffon (pour le ménage) | "Passe-moi la loque s’il-te-plaît, je vais faire un peu les poussières !" (Pass me the cleaning cloth, please, I'm going to do some dusting!) |
| Mêle-tout | Personne indiscrète / Fouineur | "Mais quelle mêle-tout celle-là ! Qu’elle s’occupe de ses oignons !" (What a nosy person she is! Let her mind her own business!) |
| Papier collant | Ruban adhésif | "Il me faudrait un bout de papier collant pour fermer le paquet de biscuit." (I need a piece of sticky tape to close the biscuit packet.) |
| Place (avoir une bonne place) | Avoir un emploi sûr et rémunérateur | "Le jour où j’aurai une bonne place, je commencerai à chercher une maison." (The day I have a secure, well-paid job, I'll start looking for a house.) |
| Plasticine | Pâte à modeler | "Mes enfants adorent jouer avec la plasticine." (My children love playing with modelling clay.) |
| Ramassette | Pelle à poussières | "Passe-moi la ramassette s’il-te-plait, il y a des miettes partout !" (Pass me the dustpan, please, there are crumbs everywhere!) |
| Renon | Résiliation / Préavis | "J’ai donné mon renon en mains propres à mon propriétaire." (I handed my notice in to my landlord in person.) |
| Sonner | Appeler (au téléphone) | "Tu peux me sonner cet après-midi ? Je suis occupé là." (Can you call me this afternoon? I'm busy right now.) |
| Tirette | Fermeture éclair | "J’ai cassé la tirette de ma veste. Tu sais la réparer ?" (I've broken the zip on my jacket. Can you fix it?) |
| Tirer son plan | Se débrouiller / Se sortir d'affaire | "Tire ton plan! On ne sera pas toujours là pour t’aider !" (Figure it out yourself! We won't always be here to help you!) |
| Toquer à la porte | Frapper à la porte | "Il toquait à la porte pour entrer." (He was knocking on the door to come in.) |
Beyond the Dictionary: Cultural Nuances
The richness of Belgian French extends beyond individual words. It's also in the rhythm, the intonation, and the way certain phrases are used. For instance, the simple act of asking how someone is might elicit a response that feels more direct or uses a particular turn of phrase. The influence of Dutch is palpable, with many words directly borrowed or adapted. This linguistic intermingling is a testament to Belgium's unique cultural identity.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
One common point of curiosity is how Belgians refer to monetary amounts. If you hear someone say "cent balles" in Belgium, it's likely referring to 100 Belgian Francs (though the Euro is now the official currency, the colloquialism can persist or be adapted). However, when referring to Euros, they would typically say "cent euros" just like in France, unless a specific Belgian colloquialism is being used. It's important to distinguish between everyday speech and official terminology.
'Dikkenek': A Cinematic Showcase
The popular Belgian film Dikkenek (2006) offers a humorous and often exaggerated portrayal of everyday Belgian life and speech. The title itself, 'Dikkenek', is a classic Belgianism that translates roughly to 'big-necked' or 'arrogant person'. The film is celebrated for its authentic use of Belgian slang and expressions, providing an entertaining insight into the local dialect for those who understand it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'GSM' mean in Belgium?
GSM is the standard term for a mobile phone in Belgium, derived from the Dutch 'Gesimuleerd particulier communicatiemiddel' (simulated private communication device).
How do Belgians say 'queue'?
In Belgium, the phrase 'faire la file' is commonly used to mean 'to queue' or 'to stand in line'.
Is 'bonjour' used in Belgium?
Yes, 'bonjour' is used, but greetings can vary. Depending on the region and context, other greetings might be used, and the overall politeness in greetings is often noted.
Are there many Dutch words in Belgian French?
Yes, the proximity and historical ties with the Netherlands mean that many Dutch words have been incorporated into Belgian French, enriching its vocabulary.
Conclusion: Embracing Linguistic Diversity
The study of belgicismes is not just an academic exercise; it's a gateway to understanding a vibrant culture. Whether you're navigating the streets of Brussels or simply enjoying a Belgian film, a little knowledge of these unique linguistic features can greatly enhance your appreciation. The French spoken in Belgium is a testament to the dynamic nature of language and the enduring charm of regional identity.
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