French prez makes 'friendly' mistake in note to Obama
PARIS (AP) — French President Francois Hollande's attempt to sign a note congratulating Barack Obama for getting re-elected wound up lost in translation — and all over Twitter.
In the great Gallic tradition of murdering the English language, Hollande ended the letter to the U.S. president in his own hand, writing: "Friendly, Francois Hollande."
The mistake was a literal translation of the French "amicalement," instead of what probably should have been "kind regards."
It went viral on Twitter, overshadowing the rest of the note, which fleetingly touched on topics such as the Middle East and the economy.
According to local media, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was also weak in English. To excuse bad weather in January 2010, Sarkozy told U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, "Sorry for the time."
In the great Gallic tradition of murdering the English language, Hollande ended the letter to the U.S. president in his own hand, writing: "Friendly, Francois Hollande."
The mistake was a literal translation of the French "amicalement," instead of what probably should have been "kind regards."
It went viral on Twitter, overshadowing the rest of the note, which fleetingly touched on topics such as the Middle East and the economy.
According to local media, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was also weak in English. To excuse bad weather in January 2010, Sarkozy told U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, "Sorry for the time."
Ha. Like English speakers never mangle French. It's one of the most difficult languages for an English speaker to learn, especially the pronunciation. I'm sure the opposite is true for French speakers of English.
C'est la vie....
In the great Gallic tradition of murdering the English language, Those who are of The people that Speak "Gaelic " who are from Such counties of Ireland and Scotland, Loath the English.
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micalement adv. friendly amicalement vôtre
adv. best wishes à vous bien amicalement
adv. sincerely Yours
Maidir chineál
Mon Dieu !
 @Rob C 503 NÃl Gaeilge éasca a fhoghlaim. go bhfuil sé nÃos mó ná 4,000 bliain d'aois
@lee986321 ..........okie dokie !
coo coo cachew
Just send him a nice Viognier and have a wine summit.
Or Boone's Farm.
@Kushfan ah nuts, I just ran out and got some Colt 40's, you didn't say it was formal.
@WendyTeagarden ........or an Oregon Pinot.
Oh ho ho, thank you for correcting my English which stinks!
What is the big deal, he said Friendly. am I missing something?
Oh come on...it's not like he said "Please do the needful". Â :p
or 'Got 'er did'
Francois Hollande.
Â
We should forgive him cuz his family invented Hollandaise sauce.
@Kushfan as long as he stays away from my decolletage
@Kushfan what a benedict you are
Yeah, but I got huevos.
@Kushfan Why are you yolking us with these bad puns????
Who wrote the note for him, Inspector Clouseau?
@Kushfan RobbesPierre
Excuse me, but does your dog bite?
It is not my dog.
I'll never eat another French fry!
 @swimbad Pass 'em over here.
@swimbad but what about pomme frites?
 @WendyTeagarden  @swimbad Nope, no pomme frites! No curly and no girly fries will do, and no spicy too! But I do have a weakness for Red Robin steak fries, if they are too hot to handle.