The Adventures of Roderick Random — Page 2

English → Fr APOLOGUE Level 8/10

sir, that toothless jaw is a d—ned scandalous libel—but don't you imagine me so chopfallen as not to be able to chew the cud of resentment."

Monsieur, cette mâchoire édentée est un libelle d—né scandaleux — mais ne vous imaginez pas que je sois si abattu que je ne puisse pas ruminer ma rancœur. »

Here he was interrupted by the arrival of a learned physician, who, advancing to the culprit with fury in his aspect, exclaimed, "Suppose the augmentation of the ass's ears should prove the diminution of the baboon's—nay, seek not to prevaricate, for, by the beard of Aesculapius! there is not one hair in this periwig that will not stand up in judgment to convict thee of personal abuse.

Il fut ici interrompu par l'arrivée d'un savant médecin qui, s'avançant vers le coupable avec la fureur peinte sur le visage, s'écria : « Supposez que l'augmentation des oreilles de l'âne prouve la diminution de celles du babouin — non, ne cherchez pas à tergiverser, car, par la barbe d'Esculape ! il n'est pas un seul cheveu dans cette perruque qui ne se lèvera pas pour témoigner en justice et vous convaincre d'outrage personnel.

Do but observe, captain, how this pitiful little fellow has copied the very curls—the colour, indeed, is different, but then the form and foretop are quite similar."

Observez seulement, capitaine, comment ce misérable petit bonhomme a copié jusqu'aux boucles mêmes — la couleur, il est vrai, est différente, mais la forme et la frange sont tout à fait semblables. »

While he thus remonstrated in a strain of vociferation, a venerable senator entered, and waddling up to the delinquent, "Jackanapes!" cried he, "I will now let thee see I can read something else than a newspaper, and that without the help of spectacles: here is your own note of hand, sirrah, for money, which if I had not advanced, you yourself would have resembled an owl, in not daring to show your face by day, you ungrateful slanderous knave!

Tandis qu'il protestait ainsi à grands cris, un vénérable sénateur entra et, se dandinant jusqu'au délinquant : « Polisson ! » s'écria-t-il, « je vais maintenant te faire voir que je sais lire autre chose qu'un journal, et cela sans l'aide de lunettes : voici ta propre reconnaissance de dette, maraud, pour de l'argent que si je n'avais pas avancé, tu aurais toi-même ressemblé à un hibou, n'osant pas montrer ton visage en plein jour, ingrat et calomniateur coquin !

Vocabulary

Monsieur: muh-syuh — Formal title for a man; Mr. or Sir.
cette: set — Demonstrative adjective meaning 'this' (feminine).
mâchoire: mah-shwar — The jaw or jawbone of a person or animal.
édentée: ay-dahn-tay — Toothless; lacking teeth entirely.
est: eh — Third-person singular present of 'être'; is.
un: uh(n) — Indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an' (masculine).
libelle: lee-bel — A written defamatory statement; a libel.
scandaleux: skahn-dah-luh — Causing public outrage; deeply shocking or disgraceful.
mais: meh — Conjunction meaning 'but'; introduces a contrast.
ne: nuh — Negation particle used with 'pas' to negate verbs.
vous: voo — Second-person plural or formal pronoun meaning 'you'.
imaginez: ee-mah-zhee-nay — Second-person plural imperative or present of 'imaginer'; imagine.
pas: pah — Negation particle used with 'ne'; not.
que: kuh — Conjunction or relative pronoun meaning 'that' or 'which'.
je: zhuh — First-person singular subject pronoun meaning 'I'.
sois: swah — First-person singular present subjunctive of 'être'; (that I) be.
si: see — Adverb meaning 'so' or 'so much'; intensifier.
abattu: ah-bah-tew — Downcast, dejected, or greatly disheartened.
puisse: pwees — Present subjunctive of 'pouvoir'; (that I) can or may.
ruminer: roo-mee-nay — To ruminate; to dwell on or brood over something.
ma: mah — First-person singular feminine possessive adjective meaning 'my'.
rancœur: rahn-kur — Deep bitterness or resentment harbored against someone.
Il: eel — Third-person singular masculine pronoun meaning 'he' or 'it'.
fut: few — Third-person singular simple past of 'être'; was.
ici: ee-see — Adverb of place meaning 'here'.
interrompu: an-teh-rohm-pew — Past participle of 'interrompre'; interrupted.
par: par — Preposition meaning 'by' or 'through'.
l': l — Contracted definite article 'le' or 'la' before a vowel.
arrivée: ah-ree-vay — The arrival or coming of a person or thing.
d': d — Contracted preposition 'de' before a vowel; of or from.
savant: sah-vahn — A learned scholar or scientist with great knowledge.
médecin: med-saN — A medical doctor or physician.
qui: kee — Relative pronoun meaning 'who' or 'which'.
s': s — Reflexive pronoun 'se' contracted before a vowel.
avançant: ah-vahn-sahn — Present participle of 'avancer'; advancing or moving forward.
vers: vehr — Preposition meaning 'toward' or 'in the direction of'.
le: luh — Definite article meaning 'the' (masculine singular).
coupable: koo-pahbl — Guilty party; a person who is at fault.
avec: ah-vek — Preposition meaning 'with'.
la: lah — Definite article meaning 'the' (feminine singular).
fureur: few-rur — Intense fury, rage, or violent anger.
peinte: paNt — Past participle of 'peindre'; painted or depicted.
sur: sewr — Preposition meaning 'on' or 'upon'.
visage: vee-zahzh — The face of a person; facial features.
écria: ay-kree-ah — Third-person singular simple past of 's'écrier'; exclaimed.
Supposez: sew-poh-zay — Imperative of 'supposer'; suppose or assume something.
augmentation: ohg-mahn-tah-syohn — An increase or enlargement in size or amount.
des: day — Plural indefinite article or contraction of 'de les'.
oreilles: oh-ray — Ears; the organs of hearing.
de: duh — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'about'.
âne: ahn — A donkey; a stubborn or foolish person.
prouve: proov — Third-person singular present of 'prouver'; proves.
diminution: dee-mee-new-syohn — A reduction or decrease in size or number.
celles: sel — Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'those' (feminine plural).
du: dew — Contraction of 'de le'; of the (masculine).
babouin: bah-bwaN — A baboon; a large African primate with a long face.
non: nohn — Negation meaning 'no' or 'not'.
cherchez: shehr-shay — Imperative of 'chercher'; look for or seek.
à: ah — Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in'.
tergiverser: tehr-zhee-vehr-say — To equivocate, stall, or avoid giving a direct answer.
car: kar — Conjunction meaning 'because' or 'for'.
barbe: barb — A beard; facial hair grown on a man's face.
il: eel — Third-person singular masculine pronoun meaning 'he' or 'it'.
n': n — Contracted negation particle 'ne' before a vowel.
seul: sul — Adjective or adverb meaning 'alone', 'only', or 'single'.
cheveu: shuh-vuh — A single strand of hair from the head.
dans: dahn — Preposition meaning 'in' or 'inside'.
perruque: peh-rewk — A wig; an artificial head covering of hair.
se: suh — Reflexive pronoun meaning 'oneself', 'himself', or 'herself'.
lèvera: lehv-rah — Third-person singular future of 'lever'; will rise or lift.
pour: poor — Preposition meaning 'for' or 'in order to'.
témoigner: tay-mwah-nyay — To testify or bear witness to something.
en: ahn — Preposition meaning 'in', 'on', or 'as'; also a pronoun.
justice: zhew-stees — Justice; the legal system or fairness in judgment.
et: ay — Conjunction meaning 'and'.
convaincre: kohn-vaNkr — To convince or persuade someone of something.
outrage: oo-trahzh — A gross insult or act of extreme offense.
personnel: pehr-soh-nel — Personal; relating to a specific individual.
Observez: ohb-sehr-vay — Imperative of 'observer'; observe or notice carefully.
seulement: sul-mahn — Adverb meaning 'only' or 'merely'.
capitaine: kah-pee-ten — A captain; a military or naval officer of rank.
comment: koh-mahn — Adverb meaning 'how'; used in questions or exclamations.
ce: suh — Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning 'this' or 'that'.
misérable: mee-zay-rahbl — Wretched, pitiful, or despicably contemptible person.
petit: puh-tee — Adjective meaning 'small' or 'little'.
bonhomme: boh-nohm — A simple, good-natured fellow; an ordinary little man.
a: ah — Third-person singular present of 'avoir'; has.
copié: koh-pyay — Past participle of 'copier'; copied or imitated exactly.
jusqu': zhews-k — Preposition meaning 'until', 'up to', or 'even'.
aux: oh — Contraction of 'à les'; to the or at the (plural).
boucles: bookl — Curls of hair; also buckles or loops.
mêmes: mem — Adjective meaning 'same'; also used as an intensifier.
couleur: koo-lur — Color; the visual property of an object reflecting light.
vrai: vreh — Adjective meaning 'true' or 'real'; genuine.
différente: dee-fay-rahnt — Feminine adjective meaning 'different' or 'distinct'.
forme: form — Shape or form; the external appearance of something.
frange: frahnzh — A fringe or bangs; decorative border of hanging threads.
sont: sohn — Third-person plural present of 'être'; are.
tout: too — Adjective or adverb meaning 'all', 'every', or 'quite'.
fait: feh — Past participle of 'faire'; done or made.
semblables: sahm-blahbl — Similar or alike; resembling each other closely.
Tandis: tahn-dee — Conjunction used in 'tandis que'; while or whereas.
qu': k — Contracted conjunction 'que' before a vowel; that or while.
protestait: proh-teh-steh — Third-person singular imperfect of 'protester'; was protesting.
ainsi: aN-see — Adverb meaning 'thus', 'so', or 'in this way'.
grands: grahn — Plural adjective meaning 'great', 'loud', or 'big'.
cris: kree — Cries or shouts; loud vocal expressions of emotion.
vénérable: Worthy of deep respect due to age or dignity.
sénateur: say-nah-tur — A senator; an elected member of a senate.
entra: ahn-trah — Third-person singular simple past of 'entrer'; entered.
dandinant: dahn-dee-nahn — Present participle of 'dandiner'; waddling or swaying as walking.
au: oh — Contraction of 'à le'; to the or at the (masculine).
délinquant: day-laN-kahn — A delinquent; a person who breaks rules or laws.
Polisson: poh-lee-sohn — A rascal or naughty scoundrel; a mischievous person.
vais: veh — First-person singular present of 'aller'; I am going.
maintenant: maNt-nahn — Adverb meaning 'now' or 'at this moment'.
te: tuh — Second-person singular reflexive or object pronoun; you (informal).
faire: fehr — Infinitive meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.
voir: vwar — Infinitive meaning 'to see' or 'to understand'.
sais: seh — First-person singular present of 'savoir'; I know.
lire: leer — Infinitive meaning 'to read'.
autre: ohtr — Adjective meaning 'other' or 'another'.
chose: shohz — A thing; an object or matter being discussed.
journal: zhoor-nal — A newspaper or daily publication; also a journal.
cela: suh-lah — Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'that' (referring to something distant).
sans: sahn — Preposition meaning 'without'.
aide: ed — Help or assistance provided to someone.
lunettes: lew-net — Eyeglasses; lenses worn to correct or protect vision.
voici: vwah-see — Presentative meaning 'here is' or 'here are'.
ta: tah — Second-person singular feminine possessive adjective meaning 'your'.
propre: propr — Adjective meaning 'own' (before noun) or 'clean' (after noun).
reconnaissance: ruh-koh-neh-sahns — An acknowledgment of debt; also recognition or gratitude.
dette: det — A debt; money or obligation owed to another.
maraud: mah-roh — A rogue or scoundrel; a dishonest, low-life person.
argent: ar-zhahn — Money; also the metal silver.
avais: ah-veh — First-person singular imperfect of 'avoir'; I had.
avancé: ah-vahn-say — Past participle of 'avancer'; advanced or lent (money).
tu: tew — Second-person singular informal subject pronoun meaning 'you'.
aurais: oh-reh — First/second-person singular conditional of 'avoir'; would have.
toi-même: twah-mem — Emphatic pronoun meaning 'yourself' (informal singular).
ressemblé: ruh-sahm-blay — Past participle of 'ressembler'; resembled or looked like.
hibou: ee-boo — An owl; a nocturnal bird associated with wisdom.
osant: oh-zahn — Present participle of 'oser'; daring or having the audacity.
montrer: mohn-tray — To show or display something to someone.
ton: tohn — Second-person singular masculine possessive adjective meaning 'your'.
plein: plaN — Full or broad; used in 'en plein jour' meaning 'in broad daylight'.
jour: zhoor — Day; a period of twenty-four hours or daylight.
ingrat: aN-grah — An ungrateful person; one who does not appreciate help.
calomniateur: kah-lohm-nyah-tur — A slanderer; one who makes false, damaging statements.
coquin: koh-kaN — A rogue or knave; a dishonest or mischievous person.

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