Session 2, Activity 6 (French)
Activity 6 – understanding the gist of a song and recognising cultural references
This activity shows how OMT can be used to support listening skills by helping to identify and recognise cultural references. This will help you to follow along and understand spoken content more easily.
Now follow the steps below.
Step 1
Search and listen to ‘Les Champs-Élysées’ by Joe Dassin online (e.g. on YouTube).
Step 2
- Were there any words you didn’t recognise or understand from just listening?
- What is the mood of the song?
- What do you think is the overall message of the song?
- Could you recognise any cultural references and themes when listening to the song?
Step 3
Input the lyrics into your chosen OMT and translate into English.
Les Champs-Élysées
Je m’baladais sur l’avenue
Le cœur ouvert à l’inconnu
J'avais envie de dire bonjour
À n’importe qui
N’importe qui, et ce fut toi
Je t’ai dit n’importe quoi
Il suffisait de te parler
Pour t’apprivoiser
Aux Champs-Élysées
Aux Champs-Élysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie
À midi ou à minuit
Il y a tout c’que vous voulez
Aux Champs-Élysées
Tu m’as dit “j’ai rendez-vous”
Dans un sous-sol avec des fous
Qui vivent la guitare à la main
Du soir au matin
Alors je t’ai accompagnée
On a chanté, on a dansé
Et l’on n’a même pas pensé
À s’embrasser
[Aux Champs-Élysées ...]
Hier soir deux inconnus
Et ce matin sur l’avenue
Deux amoureux tout étourdis
Par la longue nuit
Et de l’Étoile à la Concorde
Un orchestre à 1 000 cordes
Tous les oiseaux du point du jour
Chantent l’amour
[Aux Champs-Élysées ...]
Reflection
- Go back to the last two questions in Step 2. Were your initial thoughts about the mood and message of the song right?
- Could you now interpret the meaning and emotions conveyed in the song more accurately?
- What cultural themes are present in the lyrics?
Discussion
‘Les Champs-Élysées’ by Joe Dassin is a joyful song that celebrates the famous avenue in Paris, the Champs-Élysées. The song's lyrics describe various activities and encounters that take place along the iconic street, and emphasise themes of love, spontaneity, and the beauty of Parisian life. The song conveys a sense of happiness and the excitement of experiencing life's simple pleasures in one of the world's most famous locations. Overall, it portrays the Champs-Élysées as a place where anything can happen, and where people come together to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
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