Belgium's Declaration of Independence

Practice listening and reading while learning about how Belgium proclaimed its independence. After you listen to the sound files, scroll down to the bilingual reader to check the French transcript and click any phrase for the translation and links to related grammar lessons.

Note: Some of the tenses in this French text and its English translation don't match! In French, we use the present tense to describe historical events like this to evoke a sense of immediacy, whereas in English, we commonly use the past tense - learn more about historical French tenses.

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Part 3

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Q&A relating to this exercise 6 questions, 6 answers

DanielleB1Kwiziq community member

Verb tenses

Why is this text written mostly in present tense but translated in past tense? How can we know when it's appropriate to use this technique to make our own storytelling easier?

Asked 3 weeks ago

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ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Telling a story situated in the past by using the present tense is a stylistic instrument to increase the immediacy for the reader. The temporal separation is removed and the reader feels more deeply immersed. This is also an option in English, by the way:

"You won't believe what happened to me the other day. I'm walking down the street, minding my own business, when suddenly someone taps me on the shoulder."

The first sentence sets the temporal stage, indicating that what follows took place in the past. Then the narrator switches to the present tense to draw the listener into the story.

Like13 weeks ago

Danielle asked:View original

Verb tenses

Why is this text written mostly in present tense but translated in past tense? How can we know when it's appropriate to use this technique to make our own storytelling easier?

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RobinB1Kwiziq community member

comment on the excellence of this topic

Great topic (though I had to Google "Brabant")!

Asked 1 month ago

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CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Robin,

Thank you very much for your comment. It is very much appreciated. At Kwiziq, we aim to please!

Bonne journée!

Like01 month ago

Robin asked:View original

comment on the excellence of this topic

Great topic (though I had to Google "Brabant")!

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RenjiA1Kwiziq community member

Une question, finalement

Aujourd'hui j'ai appris quelque chose nouvelle et intéressante à propos de la Belgique. Il me rappelle des révolutions de la France et de la Russe. Quelle l'histoire fascinante. Pourquoi il n'y a pas de questions de compréhension? Ils me manquent.

Asked 3 months ago

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