Meet Lex
Did you know that our Lizard is named Lex? Like many students, Lex enjoys learning about other parts of the world, studying languages, and reading books. With that in mind, we are launching our new series, in which Lex travels worldwide to different places to learn more about the people, the language, and what makes each place unique. Lex’s first stop on this world tour is Paris, France, as the Summer Olympic Games are just around the corner!
Paris, France
Paris is the capital city of France, officially known as the French Republic. It is home to more than 2 million people and is in the north-central part of France along the Seine River.
What Language Do They Speak?
Image from Amazing Sports from Around the World
French is the official language of France and the first language of 88% of the population. It is a Romance language known for its unique pronunciation rules, with nasal vowels and silent letters being standard features. In French, all nouns have a gender, either masculine or feminine.
French is also the official language of 29 countries and one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Red Cross.
Fun Facts
Here are some fascinating facts about Paris:
- Paris is home to the largest art museum in the world, the Louvre Museum, which houses over 35,000 works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa.
- The Eiffel Tower, an iconic landmark in Paris, was designed by Gustave Eiffel to be a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair. It was meant to stand for only 20 years.
- Paris earned the nickname “City of Light” in the 18th century during the Age of Enlightenment when it was a center of education and ideas.
- The city is divided into 20 “arrondissements,” or districts, each with unique character and attractions.
- The Seine River, which flows through the heart of Paris, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Paris is known for its culinary excellence and is famous for its pastries, including croissants, macarons, and éclairs, as well as its renowned cheeses and wines.
Paris and the Olympics
The Summer Olympics, which will run from July 26 to August 11, 2024, will mark the third time Paris has hosted the Summer Games!
Paris hosted the Olympic Games for the first time in 1900 during the Exposition Universelle, and it marked the first time women competed in the Games. The 1924 Olympics, also known as the “Jeux de la VIIIe Olympiade,” used the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop for the fencing events, while the Grand Palais hosted the weightlifting competitions!
Did you know that Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and sports enthusiast, founded the modern Olympic Games? Inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, Coubertin sought to revive the spirit of competition and unity among nations through sports. In Paris in 1894, Coubertin proposed reviving the Olympics, leading to the formation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Bilingual French Books & More
If you want to learn French or brush up on your language skills, Language Lizard offers over 85 French-English books perfect for language learners of all ages. Our newest bilingual French offerings include Amazing Sports from Around the World, a timely read about the unique and unusual sports played around the world.
To learn more, visit our blog post about the French language.
Stay tuned to see where Lex will go next!