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NEWSLETTER No. 22 - APRIL 18th 2006 This newsletter throws a little light on an interest aspect of French heritage - the regional language known as Occitan, practised in various dialects across southern France. Top property is a pretty and very well restored village house in a very compelling setting west of Clermont l'Hérault. Should you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please use the link provided at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, kindly read on. Theme of the fortnight: Occitan - A Regional Language Part of the cultural heritage of southern France is the regional language, Occitan. It is the writer and poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) who first used the expressions "langue du si", "langue d'oc" and "langue d'oïl" in reference to the way "yes" is pronounced respectively in Italian, Occitan and Gaelic. Occitan along with many other languages - Catalan, Provençal, Castillan, Italian and Roumanian - is one of the big 'Romanesque' or neo-Latin languages which developed from a blend of widely used Latin, introduced to the region by soldiers and Roman colonies and primitive regional languages used prior to Roman colonisation. In the 14th century, the monarchy distinguished the 'countries' using Occitan from those employing Gaelic. L'Occitanie It is generally held that the limits of Occitanie - where a dialect of Occitan is used - have hardly moved since the middle ages and confine a region extending across southern France from the Gironde (excluding French Basque country), up to the Limousin and Auvergne and south-eastwards to the Italian border north of Briançon. This amounts to 32 departments of southern France, and beyond, the Val d'Aran region of the Spanish Pyrenees and various valleys of the Italian Alps. In addition, there are various enclaves across the world, in Spanish Basque territory, in Calabre in Italy, in the Württemberg region of Germany, and in north and south America, notably Argentina, Brazil, and Louisiana in the U.S.A. Today it is estimated that 7 million people in France understand Occitan, and between 2 and 10 million across France, Spain and Italy speak it. The predominance of French as a national language had the effect of bringing about a decline in the use of the language. Equally, the pejorative term, 'patois' used in rural circles meant that Occitan dialects were generally held as inferior to French. However significant efforts made in education and the media, and to a certain extent, pride in a regional heritage are ensuring that the language lives on.  Dialects There are three main dialects, 'Moven' or 'Méridional' Occitan used in Languedoc and Provence, Northern Occitan of the Limousin, Auvergne and Alpes-Provençales and Gascon used west of the Garonne. None of these can claim supremacy over another. Catalan is very close to Occitan, having undoubtedly the same origins, yet there is a definite rift between the two languages, notably for geo-political reasons. Written Catalan has aligned itself with the spoken language.  A rich language While it is very difficult to put a precise figure on the number of words that make up the Occitan language, specialists suggest a figure of 450,000 words, far greater than the 50 - 100,000 commonly used French words. It is said that English literature can be translated easier into Occitan than French, with the exception of texts employing vocabulary on modern technology. Occitan proves particularly rich with vocabulary pertaining to nature and rural life, but is poor on modern vocabulary, having been eclipsed largely by French during the industrial revolution. Nevertheless enthusiasts are keen to show that Occitan is very much alive and is ready to adopt new vocabulary (oèb for web for example). Some examples: The Latin for church is 'ecclesia', in Occitan, 'glèisa', 'église' in French, 'chiesa' in Italian, 'iglesia' in Spanish, and 'església' in Catalan. The Latin for language is 'lingua', in Occitan, 'lenga', 'langue' in French, 'lingua' in Italian, 'lengua' in Spanish, and 'llengua' in Catalan. The Latin for hospital is 'hospitalis', in Occitan, 'espital' or 'espitau', 'hôpital' in French, 'ospedale' in Italian, 'hospital' in Spanish and Catalan. L'ostau dau vilatge (Occitan) = La maison du village = the village house L'ostau daus amics = La maison des amis = the friends' house Siatz galhards = Soyez en bonne santé = good health to you Mercés = Merci M'apèli George = Je m'appelle George Equally names change: Montpellier becomes 'Montpelhièr' in Occitan, Limoges becomes 'Lemòtges', Clermont l'Hérault becomes 'Clarmont d'Erau'. Of particular note is the absence of personal pronouns: 'je chante' becomes 'canti' and 'comment tu t'appelles' becomes 'Coma t'apèlas?'. Also immediately apparent is the use of tonic accents, signalled by the accented vowels. Similarities between English and Occitan words which do not exist in French are a pleasant surprise; jump is 'jumpar' in Occitan, record is 'recordar' for example. For more information: "Lire et ecrire l'Occitan", by Raymond Chabbert, available through http://www.espaci-occitan.com  Top Property Of The Fortnight: Pretty and very well restored and furnished village house in a sumptuous setting beneath a 12th century chateau, once home to Cardinal de Fleury, Prime Minister to King Louis XV. The house underwent a thorough and very competent restoration in 1993, during which the roof was raised, new floors were put in and comprehensive set of quality fittings installed. The house is comfortable, ready to move into, and requires very minimal maintenance. At road level is a cellar used for storage space, and above, with direct external access to a terrace is a vaulted bedroom (10m²), and beside, a bathroom, lavatory and utility area. Up the wooden staircase is the living / dining room / kitchen (approx. 25m²) with a glazed door log fireplace. This area also has direct external access to terraces. Above the living room is a mezzanine (10m²) which serves as a second bedroom. The stone surroundings of doors and windows in particular give great character to the house. The property has pleasant external space of approximately 25m² beneath the crenelated walls of the village chateau and offers unhindered views toward the Caroux mountain range, 12 miles away. The house is sold furnished with fridge, washing machine and dishwasher, cooker, dining table, television, sofa, one double bed and two single beds and wardrobes. Electric convectors are fitted as a complement to the log fireplace. Having been registered in the Gite de France catalogue for a number of years, information on the rental income is available for those wishing to pursue this activity over the summer months. The setting is one of extraordinary tranquility and magnificent views. The Lac du Salagou is a 10 minute drive for various watersports and the town of Bédarieux is 10 minutes away, for all necessities. Béziers is a 45 minute drive, Montpellier, 1 hour, and beaches 1 hour away. The local forests provide rich nature havens for wild boars, deer and stags. This particular region is home to the only stag colony in the whole of the Hérault. Rich flora bring botanical scientists from far and wide. The clear streams are ideal spots for trout fishing. There are a number of markets in neighbouring towns throughout the week, Lunas is a Friday morning, Bédarieux on Monday morning, Clermont l'Hérault twice a week. The asking price is 162,000€. A full set of photographs is available on request. http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/viewpropNP.php?id=331         Also : 1. Stylish architect designed villa in a verdant and tranquil setting beside St. Hippolyte du Fort, to the south of the Cévenol foothills - a very worthy alternative to a stone built property with 5500m² of lawn with mature trees. Asking price: 374,400€. http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/viewpropNP.php?id=328 2. Five minutes from Barjac, a former bergerie, a mazet converted into a gite and a garage, the whole standing on 6700m² of grounds enclosed by old stone walls with extensive views, a swimming pool, sauna and tennis court. Asking price: 498,200€. http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/viewpropNP.php?id=327  +33 467 297 068 +33 626 581 415 Enquiries can be made through the following page: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/contact.php www.jamespropertiesfrance.com About James Properties France: Based in Montpellier in the south of France, bringing to you a carefully picked selection of properties within a 70 mile radius - with the occasional more distant exception - that are chosen for their combinations of attributes, most notably: - Setting of outstanding natural beauty - Distinct character or unusual features - Quality of renovation or authenticity - Value for money James Properties France serves primarily an English speaking, though often highly Francophile clientele looking to move or own a second home in the south of France around such places as Uzes, Nîmes, Montpellier, Anduze, St. Hippolyte du Fort, the Southern Cevennes, Gignac and Clermont l'Herault and the Hauts Cantons. Besides being a rich source of housing options, James Properties France represents a useful accompaniment during the process of viewing and purchasing a house. If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click on the following link: www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/unsubscribe.php |