A large dictation is organized this Thursday evening in Le Mans as part of Fait Lire! The book fair in the Sarthe capital. The opportunity to test your knowledge of the French language, while having fun.
It is as much feared by some students as it is popular with adults. Dictation can be synonymous with trauma for some. It is also a jubilation for others. The pleasure of juggling words and playing with French language sentences. Large dictations, like the one organized at Le Mans this Thursday at 6:30 p.m., are always very popular. It will be hosted by Julien Soulié, former French teacher, member of the Voltaire project, and author in particular of Tips and tricks for writing without mistakes
France Bleu Maine: How can we explain that these great dictations are immensely successful?
There are several factors but the first is an attachment to the French language which is quite visceral. We see this when it comes to spelling reform. Usually, it causes uproar. Even if people make mistakes, they love their French language, they love it with its little imperfections, with its oddities, with its anomalies. There is this love for the French language which is an integral part of our heritage.
Because it’s not the easiest language to learn?
There are historical reasons, in particular because of academicians wanting to form a fairly complicated spelling with lots of letters that cannot be pronounced, lots of letters that are pronounced as they should not be pronounced. And then there is also a little nostalgia. I see it in spelling competitions, people come with their little pencil case, their little pen, they are very studious, very serious. Sometimes there is even a little apprehension or stress. But it all goes very well and it’s true that people still enjoy doing dictation. And it’s true that at a time when we use computers a lot it’s not bad, from time to time, to pick up the pen and start writing by hand again.
In the age of texting, artificial intelligence and spelling checkers, what is the point of writing well?
Spell checkers are a bit like the calculator for mathematics, for mental calculations. It’s true that it’s very practical, it’s easy, it’s convenient but from a cognitive point of view, from a cerebral point of view, we lose certain abilities and then we simply lose the pleasure of playing with words, perhaps making mistakes. Dictation still allows you to rediscover or discover certain words that are a little rarer, to review one or two grammar rules that you have forgotten. This allows you to reactivate a little bit of the neurons that have sometimes fallen asleep a little.
Two major dictations are being organized this Thursday as part of the Fait Lire festival! The first at the Marie Marvingt stadium is reserved for students. 300 children from CE1 to 3rd grade participate. The second, open to all, begins at 6:30 p.m., Concert Hall, 58 Rue du Port in Le Mans. There are still places left. It’s free
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