Y11 English-French Translation Skills

Y11 HT4

English-French Translation Skills

GCSE Writing Paper

Avoid translating word for word

• When translating from English to French, remember that words, phrases and structures don't always match one another neatly.

• Words are not necessarily in the same order either.

Multiple Choice

Today, it is hot and it's sunny

Aujourd'hui __________________ et il y a du soleil

• c'est chaud

• il fait chaud

• il est chaud

Multiple Choice

I have breakfast and I get ready

Je __________________ le petit déjeuner et je me prépare

• ai

• prends

• mange

Multiple Choice

My brother is 18 and he does volunteering

Mon frère ________________ et il fait du bénévolat

• est 18 ans

• a 18

• a 18 ans

Multiple Choice

I am tired and I am hungry

Je suis fatigué et __________________ faim

• je

• je suis

• j'ai

Multiple Choice

There are lots of people

_________________ beaucoup de gens

• Il y a

• Ils sont

• C'est

Open Ended

I think that racism is a big problem

un / pense / Je / le / que / est / problème / racisme / gros

Open Ended

There is a fantastic atmosphere at the festival

au / y / ambiance / Il / a / fantastique / une / festival

Open Ended

I haven't bought anything in the shop

acheté / le / Je / ai / dans / n' / magasin / rien

Open Ended

I won't be drinking sodas anymore

de / ne / Je / boire / vais / sodas / plus

Little Words

• When translating, you must avoid mistakes which prevent your sentences from being clear

• So beware of little words as they can be tricky

• Determiners a, the and some might not be used in English but are necessary in French

• Prepositions: they can be used differently in English and French

Foundation Tier

Translation Practice

Open Ended

Translate into French:

I would also like to have children.

Open Ended

Translate into French:

Yesterday, I used the Internet.

Open Ended

Translate into French:

It is not very good for your health.

Open Ended

Translate into French:

There are many homeless people on the street.

Now try these five translations in your exercise book, keeping in mind the rules we have practiced today

1. In my town, there is a lot of traffic.

2. I go to school by bike.

3. Pollution is a problem in my region.

4. There are many homeless people on the street.

5. I would like to help the poor.

Higher Tier

Translation Practice

Open Ended

Can you proofread this text and add the missing words?

I am worried because of the consequences of global warming. I hate to see animals in danger. We must protect them. We should also recycle more, save water and electricity. If we recycle more, we will be able to reduce waste and if we use more public transport, we will be able to reduce pollution in town.

Je m’inquiète à cause (1) ___ conséquences du réchauffement climatique. Je déteste voir (2) ___ animaux en danger. On doit (3) ___ protéger. On devrait aussi recycler plus, économiser l’eau et l’électricité. Si on recycle plus, on pourra réduire le gaspillage et (4) __ on utilise plus (%) __ transports en commun, on pourra diminuer la pollution (6) __ ville.

Corrections

Je m’inquiète à cause des conséquences du réchauffement climatique. Je déteste voir les animaux en danger. On doit les protéger. On devrait aussi recycler plus, économiser l’eau et l’électricité. Si on recycle plus, on pourra réduire le gaspillage et si on utilise plus de transports en commun, on pourra diminuer la pollution en ville.

Open Ended

Can you proofread this text and identify six mistakes in the translation?

As a student, I am very hardworking and organised. I think it is important to succeed. However, some teachers say that I am very impatient. I like to read, draw and sing. In ten years, I would like to travel and work abroad, maybe in Japan.

Comme un élève, je suis très travailleur et organisé. Je pense qu'il est important réussir. Cependant, quelques profs disent je suis très impatient. J'aimer lire, dessiner et chanter. Dans dix ans, je voudrais voyage et travailler à l'étranger, peut être Japon

Corrections

Comme étudiant, je suis très travailleur et organisé. Je pense que c’est important de réussir. Cependant, certains professeurs disent que je suis très impatient. J’aime lire, dessiner et chanter. Dans dix ans, je voudrais voyager et travailler à l’étranger, peut-être au Japon

Now try this translation into French in your exercise book, keeping in mind the rules you have practiced today

In my opinion, holidays are really important because we can relax and forget our problems. I have just come back from my holiday in Croatia where I spent a lot of time sunbathing on the beach. It was great but I will be stressed soon because of school and the exams!