Happy Birthday to you!
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly celebrates it’s fifth birthday with this
issue. «Joyeux anniversaire» (Happy Birthday).
The different customs that we observe today for birthdays have a
long history. Their origins are linked to magic and religion.
Ancient practices consisted of offering congratulations «adresser
des félicitations» and giving presents, «offrir des cadeaux».
Lighted candles, «des bougies allumées» were supposed to protect
the person who was celebrating his birthday from demons.
In most Anglo-Saxon countries, but also in others, it is common
practice to sing the traditional ‘Happy Birthday to You’. «Joyeux
Anniversaire» is sung in France to the same tune but you can also
sing the more traditional «Bon anniversaire, nos vœux les plus
sincères.»
In France it also used to be traditional to wish someone «Bonne
Fête» on his Saint’s day on the calendar. This custom seems to be
dying out somewhat – perhaps because it is no longer compulsory to
choose a child’s name from the names on the calendar.
If the easiest way to wish someone a Happy Birthday in French is
to say «Joyeux Anniversaire», (Happy Birthday). Other ways do
exist, another simple way is just to say «bon anniversaire» (good
birthday). You can also say «Passe une merveilleuse journée» (have
a great day). «Meilleurs voeux» means best wishes and
«Félicitations» is congratulations. If you want to say something a
bit longer you can say «je te souhaite plein de bonheur» - I wish
you lots of happiness. «Que tu puisses être heureux encore de
nombreuses années» would be the equivalent of many happy returns.
«Que tous tes vœux se réalisent» (may all your wishes come
true).
Sometimes you forget the date of a birthday. So you can ask when
someone’s birthday is.
When is David’s birthday? «C’est quand, l’anniversaire de
David?». Or, when is your birthday ? «Quand est ton anniversaire?»
Or, to be even more precise – when were you born? «Quelle est ta
date de naissance ?» «Quand es-tu né ?»
And, of course, if you miss the actual date you can always send
belated birthday wishes «Joyeux anniversaire en retard» or
«meilleurs vœux en retard».
Vocabulary / Vocabulaire:
le cadeau d’anniversaire ........ Birthday present
la carte d’anniversaire ........... Birthday card
le gâteau d’anniversaire ........ Birthday cake
le goûter d’anniversaire ........ children’s birthday party
souhaiter un bon anniversaire à quelqu’un
............................
to wish someone a Happy Birthday
to celebrate your 40th ........... fêter ses quarante balais
*
to blow out your 40 candles.... souffler ses quarante bougies
*
* you can change the numbers
“ “We are pleased with the service and the advertisement - it
has really helped bring in new custom.
‘The DSM’ Advertiser Feedback...
by Sue Burgess
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, March 2016 | 11
Getting Out & AboutA-Z of the Communes in the
Deux-SèvresHobbiesClubs & AssociationsOur Furry
FriendsCommunicationsFood & DrinkHealth, Beauty &
FitnessHome & GardenMotoringTake a BreakBuilding &
RenovationBusiness & FinancePropertyArgo CarpentryAssurances
Maucourt (GAN)Bar Le ClemenceauBeaux Villages ImmobilierBH
Assurances / Allianz - Isabelle WantBill McEvoy (Plumber/Heating
Engineer)Blevins Franks Financial ManagementBrian Fox (Web
Designer)Building & Renovation ServicesCafé BonbonCamping Les
Prairies du LacCaniclôture Hidden FencesCarlill-Strover
BuildingCherry Picker HireChris Parsons (Heating, Electrical,
Plumbing)Christies (English Book Shop & Tea Room)Cindy Mobey
(Freelance Writer & Marketing Consultant)CJ ElectricitéClean
Sweep Chimney ServicesCosmetic Contour (Permanent Makeup)Cottage
Services (Garden Maintenance)Currencies Direct - Sue CookDarren
LawrenceDavid Cropper (Stump Grinding)David Watkins Chimney
SweepDeb Challacombe (Online counsellor)Derek Marriott Plumbing and
HeatingDown to Earth Pool DesignDuncan White - Agent
CommercialeEcopower €pe (Solar Power)Finagaz (Gas tank suppliers
and installers)Franglais DeliveriesFresco InteriorsGinger’s
KitchenHallmark ElectroniqueHaynes Carpentry (U.P.V.C Double
GlazingInter Décor (Tiles & Bathrooms)Irving Location - Digger
HireIrving Location - Septic Tank Installation &
GroundworksJames Moon ConstructionJb PlumbingJeff’s MetalworkJohn
Purchase - Mobile MechanicJulian Dor-Vincent (Farrier)La Deuxième
Chance (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint supplier)La Vendée ChippyLe
Comptoir du Tapissier (Upholstery & Hardware)Leggett
ImmobilierL’Emporium Shop, L’AbsieLe Tour de FinanceLorraine
Wallace (Health Coach in France)Mark Sabestini Renovation &
ConstructionML ComputersMotor Parts CharenteMr Piano ManMSS
ConstructionMutuelles de Poitiers AssurancesNeeda Hand
ServicesNicola Hancock - Agent CommercialePamela Irving (Massage
& Reflexology)Photo Creativity (Film transfer)Polar Express
(Frozen Food Supplier)Projet Piscine (Swimming Pool
solutions)Quedubois (windows and doors)Restaurant des CanardsRob
Berry Plastering ServicesRobert Lupton ElectricianRoss Hendry
(Interface Consulting & Engineering)Salon des Vins et Terroirs
2016Sarl Down to Earth Construction (Groundworks and Micro Station
Installer)Sarl PCEM (Plumbing, heating & Electricity)Satellite
TVSimon the TilerSimply Homes & GardensSmart Services (Home
& Garden Services)Steve Coupland (Property Services)Steve
Enderby (Painter, Decorator, Carpenter)Steve Robin (Plumber)Sue
Burgess (French Classes & Translation)Tersannes Timber (Gates
& Fencing)The English Mechanic & Son - Tony EyreVal Assist
(Translation Services)Zumba Gold Classes
