France, as a football team, may have been knocked out of the ongoing UEFA European Football Championship, but the French influence continues to thrive not just in the huge football fan base in Goa but also through its delicious food and even more beautiful language. La Tour Eiffel or as we know it, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of the Romantic city of Paris that is known the world over. Yet, we do not realise that the language of the land, French, is such an integral part of our own conversations. How often do we savour a croissant in a café, or lose ourselves in a sense of déjà vu when we find ourselves in a very chic boutique? Do we realise that as we wish each other bon appétit or bon voyage, that these are French phrases that we have been uttering? Croissant, café, venue, boutique, chauffeur, bon appétit, are just a few of the many French words that have crept into the English Language.
The appeal of this language is endless. Youngsters are drawn to the exquisite food and the culture, specially as is shown in trending OTT platforms such as ‘Emily in Paris’. July 14 marks the storming of the Bastille, a French Fortress, which played a pivotal role in the French Revolution. The qualities of liberty, equality and fraternity stemmed from this very revolution. Bastille Day is a day that’s celebrated the world over. In France, an awe-inspiring traditional military parade is held in Paris at the famed Avenue des Champs-Elysées. The French tri-colour is proudly exhibited by one and all during the patriotic events and the revelry is accompanied by dances, and traditional Bastille Day food, such as delicate crepes, quiche and of course complimented by wine.
Blue, white and red adorned many a classrooms in Goa as several institutions across the state geared to celebrate Bastille Day. Fatima Convent High School, Margao paved the way for its very first French Day Celebration on July 9. The school has a strength of 118 students who have opted for French in classes 8, 9 and 10. “Our girls were very excited to convert their textbook knowledge and use the language in a practical manner. They presented melodious songs on basic French topics such as the French Alphabet and months. Class 10 students introduced their dishes in simple French,” expresses Teacher Eslinda Fernandes. The students presented delectable French cuisine in the cooking competition and presented power packed dance performances and songs to the delighted class seven students.
St Britto High School, Mapusa, celebrated Bastille Day on July 11. “The boys put up enthusiastic performances and presented mouth-watering French delicacies to commemorate the occasion”, states Teacher Jullita Remedios.
The roots of a congregation spread far and wide and Holy Cross High School, Siolim paid homage to the French roots of their Foundress, Mother Claudine Echernier, through a celebration on July 12. The morning assembly was held in French, accompanied by speeches and a melodious rendition of the French hymn ‘Et me voici’.
The Discipline of French and Francophone Studies at Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature held a mesmerising competition, ‘La Magnifique Masquerade’ wherein a total of 20 participants dressed up as famous French personalities and delivered monologues on July 12. “The competition aimed to educate and engage the community by bringing to life the stories of iconic French figures who have shaped history,” says Anthony Gomes, assistant professor and one of the coordinators of the competition. The winners of the event were Athena Naik, Keith Fernando Sa and Keon Colaco who bagged the first, second and third places respectively in Category 1 while Candice Sequeira, Reboni Araujo and Clare Carvalho were the winners of Category 2. Two plays were also staged by the students MA French Part II and TYBA in French.
A decade-long tradition has been continuing at Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim through the ‘La Fête de la Bastille’. On July 13, the participants masqueraded in colourful masks, presented hand puppets and assembled jigsaw puzzles in the various competitions the school had. The audience were left enthralled by a special orchestra and Can-can dance performance put forth by the French students of the school under the guidance of Teacher Carol Dias. Celebrations were also held at Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Panjim which comprised of a quiz, song, dance and a skit.
Vidya Vikas Academy, Margao will host a grand French celebration on Monday, July 15, showcasing the French culture through its planned programme. Manovikas English Medium School, Gogol will also have the festivities on the same day and will include an exhibition of French cuisine as well as various events such as doodle art, 3D pen art, French dances, songs and a fashion parade for classes 5-10. The chief guest for the event will be Shourya Dalvi, assistant professor, French and Francophone Studies, Goa University and a doctoral student. “Initially, I took French because my best friend was opting for it. But eventually I didn’t realise how and when I fell in love with the language that I decided to make a career out of it. I still remember, by class 10, I had already decided to be a French teacher. The culture and history is so rich that even after being a French learner for ten years and now a teacher for eight years, I still discover new aspects of the French language and culture,” she shares.
On the outskirts of Ponda city, grand French Day celebrations have been witnessed at St Mary’s High School, Ponda, for the past few years. “Learning French gives students an opportunity to broaden their horizon and gives them
an understanding of a culture beyond their own. Students eagerly look forward to celebrating Bastille Day and it is a much-awaited event marked by different activities and competitions,” says Teacher Sibelia Dias.
“French has opened a whole new world for me. Being able to converse in the language helped me tremendously in my travels, especially to Francophone countries. Learning a language as important as French widens your horizons, increases your job opportunities and chances to migrate, not to mention, French is such a sweet sounding language,” states Teacher Cora Coelho Abreu, Former Convenor of the French BoS and current French teacher at ‘Pardon My French’.
The French students of The Rosary High School, Cujira- Bambolim are in for a special treat on July 15, as resource persons speakers Magris D’Souza and Valleny Lobo will be conducting a French session for the students which includes activities, songs and a quiz. Both speakers hold a Bachelor’s degree in French. While Magris got an opportunity to study in France at Sciences Po, Lyon in 2023, Valleny, who also has a Master’s degree in French, spent eight months in Brittany, France for ‘La Mission de Service Civique’, a Civil Service mission. “As students learning French, celebrating ‘The Bastille Day’ opens up windows to learning and experiencing more about the language in a fun way,” adds Teacher Andrea D’Cunha.
On July 15, Presentation Convent High School, Ambaji-Fatorda will have a celebration which will include a variety of events such as duet and group singing, a traditional French dance, Poetry recitation and a display of famous French characters. Presentation Higher Secondary School, Ambaji-Fatorda; Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Panjim and St Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona will also be celebrating the day with a special assembly that will shed light on the French Revolution and language. It will be accompanied by songs and charts. Teacher Mario Fernandes of St Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona will be conducting a French dish making orientation on French Dish ‘Au Gratin’.
For the past four years, Lourdes Convent High School, Saligao has been having the morning assembly entirely in French accompanied of course, by a translation on French Day. This year, a unique ‘French Class for a Day’ will be held at the institution on July 16. Those who sign up, be it students, teachers or even parents, will be taught basic French greetings and phrases by the French students. This innovative activity aims to introduce the language to future French aspirants.
Prof Anuradha Wagle, Dean of Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature, Goa University, while emphasising the importance of foreign languages states, “Learning a foreign language in the formative years goes a long way towards enhancing communication, problem solving and critical thinking in young people. It is also a useful language to know to enjoy overseas travel, appreciate art, music, cuisine, cinema and literature. It is a window to a rich cultural heritage that students will be exposed to from a young age”.
Many voices will bear witness to the impact that foreign languages offered in Goa such as Portuguese, French and Arabic, have had on their lives. While not disregarding the lasting role that one’s mother tongue holds, these languages serve to supplement a student’s overall understanding of the world and its cultures.
(Avril Antao is an educator, a language enthusiast and an avid reader. She adores all things French, from croissants to crochet)
