French phrases in English stories

[suprunp]

He did not take the suggestion very seriously. “On ne sait jamais,” he said.
[...]
he saw the appraising glance she gave him and then, pretending that he had noticed nothing, he caught the phrase, il n’est pas mal.
(W.S. Maugham; His Excellency)

I would surmise that W.S. Maugham took it for granted that his compatriots knew French. Is it so or is there something else to it?

Thanks.

 

[SoothingDave]

There are many "stock phrases" in French that a large number of literate English speakers would know. Like "Je ne sais quoi" or "c'est la vie."

The phrases in the text you quote are not familiar to me. I reckon the latter means something like "It's not so bad," but that's just my 3 years of high school French coming back to me.

 

[BobSmith]

Often when watching movies, foreign dialog will not be translated in subtitles. I assume this is to mirror the experience of the non-foreign language speaking characters. To me, this passage works in the same fashion. My $0.02.

 

[BobSmith]

Often when watching movies, foreign dialog will not be translated in subtitles. I assume this is to mirror the experience of the non-foreign language speaking characters. To me, this passage works in the same fashion. My $0.02.

On second thought, no it doesn't. He states "he caught the phrase" which means he understood it. I think you're correct; "W.S. Maugham took it for granted that his compatriots knew French."

 

[Barb_D]

One never knows what went through the mind of the author.

 

[SoothingDave]

On second thought, no it doesn't. He states "he caught the phrase" which means he understood it. I think you're correct; "W.S. Maugham took it for granted that his compatriots knew French."

I read that like the character was not understanding the French conversation fully, but he did catch a phrase he understood.

 

[paysage57]

"il n'est pas mal" = he his good looking

 

[bhaisahab]

"il n'est pas mal" = he his good looking

Literally it means "He is not bad (looking)" "looking" is implied.

 

[bhaisahab]

W. Somerset-Maugham was born in Paris to English parents and his first language was French. Also, he would probably have assumed that people of his class and education would understand at least some French.