Rapporter des Discours Politiques (Reporting Political Speech)

Learning ObjectivesReport statements, questions, and commands using indirect speech.Correctly apply the sequence of tenses when reporting.Change pronouns and words for time and place.Analyze and rephrase political speeches.Imagine you're watching the news on TV 📺. The Premier of Quebec is making an important announcement about a new environmental project. Your friend texts you: "Qu'est-ce qu'elle a dit ? (What did she say?) [kess-kell-ah-DEE] J'ai manqué le début ! (I missed the beginning!) [zhay mahn-KAY luh day-BEW] 😱" How can you tell them exactly what she said? That's what we're going to learn!Real-World ApplicationsUnderstand and analyze news reports.Participate in debates and discussions on current events.Write summaries of conferences or speeches.

To report what someone said, we use special introductory verbs. Here are the most common ones:French TermWhat it MeansExample in a Sentencedire que (to say that) [deer kuh]This is the most common way to report what someone said.Elle a dit que le projet était important. (She said that the project was important.) [ell ah DEE kuh luh pro-ZHAY ay-tay am-por-TAHN]déclarer que (to declare that) [day-klar-AY kuh]Use this for formal or official statements.Le ministre a déclaré que la loi serait adoptée. (The minister declared that the law would be passed.) [luh mee-NEES-truh ah day-klar-AY kuh lah LWAH suh-ray ah-dop-TAY]annoncer que (to announce that) [ah-nohn-SAY kuh]Perfect for sharing news or new information.On a annoncé que les élections auraient lieu en automne. (It was announced that the el...

1. Matching Your TensesWhen the introductory verb is in the past (for example, il a dit que... (he said that...) [eel ah DEE kuh]), the verb tense in the reported sentence has to change. It's like a little time shift!The Rule:Present Tense → becomes → Imperfect TenseDirect Speech: "Je suis optimiste." (I am optimistic.) [zhuh SWEE op-tee-MEEST] → Reported Speech: Il a dit qu'il était optimiste. (He said that he was optimistic.) [eel ah DEE keel ay-TAY op-tee-MEEST]Past Tense (Passé Composé) → becomes → Pluperfect TenseDirect Speech: "Nous avons gagné l'élection." (We won the election.) [nooz ah-vohn gah-NYAY lay-lek-SYOHN] → Reported Speech: Ils ont annoncé qu'ils avaient gagné l'élection. (They announced that they had won the election.) [eelz ohn ah-nohn-SAY keelz ah-vay gah-NYAY lay-lek-...