In a sense, yes. In the way that every culture and nation is different, and everyone can be proud of the unique place they and their culture occupy in this world. To the extent that patriotism involves hatred of other cultures for whatever reason, no. Reasoned critique of aspects of someone’s culture is one thing, and is quite distinct from prejudiced notions that lead to superiority complexes. The same grave where the so-called ‘inferior’ ones go awaits you too (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Author: Mac
Coucou!
Passionné de grammaire, Francophile et prof de lycée, mais avant tout un fils du Tout Puissant. J’y ai passé pas mal de temps, et, en toute modestie, je suis une sorte de pro par ici. Alors, ça me semblait tout naturel de répandre mon expertise sur le web. Voilà le résultat : Comme un pro.
Angbanmwine
Daily writing prompt
Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.
A bit of background: Because of the spread of Christianity (and to a degree colonisation), many (though not all) Africans have a Christian given name, which is often their legal first name, and a middle name which is their traditional given name (and more accurately their proper first name).
Angbanmwine (Northern Ghana, West Africa) means ‘Who knows God?’ (in the sense ‘who can know the mind of God?’) in the Dagaare language
Ang – who
ban – to know
Mwine – God (also Naamwine, ‘Naa’ meaning ‘King’)
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Protip: Français ou français?
Protips: The little things you learn to pro up your French
In English, adjectives that express demonyms (nationality, ethnicity, etc.) are always capitalised, as are the names of languages. E.g. ‘She is French’, ‘He speaks German’.
In French, however, demonyms are always capitalised whereas languages are not. Compare the following examples:
Les Français sont des râleurs – French people are whiners
Elle parle français couramment – She speaks French fluently
In the first example, the demonym (nationality) is capitalised as it is considered a proper noun, but in the second example it is not capitalised as it refers to the language instead of the people.
When the demonym acts as a modifier (i.e. an adjective), it is capitalised in English but not in French:
Tu savais qu’en fait les frites sont d’origine belge ? – Did you know French fries are actually of Belgian origin?
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God
One of the greatest blessings of my life has been the opportunity to be loved by God, but just as much to learn to love Him in return, as well as others. To ask, “Father, what’s on your mind?” and wait for an answer. Realising that He is a being who desires intimacy, like we do (it is after all, why He made us). Realising that I am a part of this, and it is not just about receiving, but giving in return (though my gifts could never be matched), thus completing the circle. It’s about hearing the hard truths when necessary, and in all things celebrating the continuous triumph of being His forever.
COMME UN PRO 