Le français des infirmiers par Solange Talavera-Goy, et al

Abstract

Reviews 203 semantic concepts that is found in the book’s introduction. For example, on the list of grammatical functions are “GrammDirObj = Grammatical Direct Object” and “LogDatObj = Logical Dative Object”(xxii) and on the list of linguistic forms,“1.p.sg = First person singular” and “ComplCl = Complement Clause (which is not to be confused with “CompCl” which is “Comparison Clause”) (xxiii). Using a structural approach, Mosegaard Hansen offers concise descriptions of grammatical rules via their syntactical structure but makes the description more meaningful to native speakers of English by providing detailed explanations of when the French grammatical structures are different from their corresponding English ones. For example,in part III,she writes that the partitive article in the singular“is used to indicate an indefinite amount of a non-countable entity, i.e. something that is conceived as a mass, as in (14), for instance: (14) Tu veux du thé?” (174). She contrasts countable entities with non-countable entities by stating that non-countable entities “can be divided up in smaller parts while still remaining instances of the original thing. If you have made a pot of tea and pour yourself a cup, the contents of our cup will still be describable as tea, even though they constitute only a part of the total amount of tea available” (174). She finishes her argument by showing how the partitive article designates an indefinite number of countable entities [(15) “Sophie a acheté des tulipes” (174)]. The contrast with the corresponding English grammatical structures is justified as follows:“In both cases, English would frequently use what we may call a ‘zero’ article, as in (16)-(17), but the determiner some could also be used as in (18)- (19): (16) Do you want [ø] tea? / (17) Sophie bought [ø] tulips. / (18) Do you want some tea? / (19) Sophie bought some tulips” (174). This reference book is definitely designed for the grammar gurus among us. Those who use this book will develop heightened analytical skills and enhanced attention to detail. As is naturally the case when comparing and contrasting two languages, the user will improve his/her skills in both languages, so much so that what had previously been a baffling structure will be clearer. Fulbright Specialist (NY) Eileen M. Angelini Talavera-Goy, Solange, Nathalie Gardette-Tria, et Chrystel Perez. Le français des infirmiers. Grenoble: PU de Grenoble, 2016. ISBN 978-2-7061-2282-8. Pp. 324 + DVD-ROM. The third entry of PUG’s FLE collection Français sur objectif spécifique, this volume pairs nicely with Talavera-Goy’s earlier co-edited Le français des médecins: 40 vidéos pour communiquer à l’hôpital (2008). Certainly, many medical tasks practiced by doctors and nurses are shared, among them, asking a patient about her symptoms, medical history, and other related questions. Both professions observe and note symptoms, require familiarity with the hospital setting and personnel, as well as medical terminology. This volume’s avant-propos explains its goals as follows: “Cet ouvrage s’adresse aux infirmier(e)s diplômé(e)s et aux étudiant(e)s en soins infirmiers non-francophones qui sont amenés à travailler dans un hôpital ou à faire un stage en France dans le cadre de leur formation” (5). Part I’s three chapters help students to prepare for job interviews, to understand various requirements of the nursing profession , and to learn the layout, services, and job titles of the hospital context. The second part’s six chapters are organized around the themes “accueillir un patient,” “réaliser des soins de confort,”“réaliser des soins prescrits,”“éduquer le patient,”“communiquer autour de la prise en charge,” et “organiser la sortie d’un patient.” The strengths of the volume include a valuable DVD-ROM with video and audio accompanied by transcripts, corrections to the exercises, and a large number of color photos to accompany exercises. The latter can be used within a large variety of contexts serving many. In addressing both French certified nurses as well as non-Francophone students such as those found in the typical French courses at American colleges, the book’s strengths can sometimes become its weaknesses. For instance, a large number of exercises...