MASKARADE LANGUAGES

LANGUAGES FOR CHILDREN. Please take the time to read this little role play written in French by 8 years old children and their tutor. We are so proud of them! Read the full story on our site in the section latest news!
http://www.maskarade.net/vive-noel/

Our Monday story by Mademoiselle Violette Berlingo (L'institutrice - teacher)

Not all children expect their end of year presents at Christmas. In Wallonia (la Wallonie), the French speaking part of Belgium (la Belgique), children expect Santa Claus (Saint Nicolas) to bring them sweets and presents in the night of the 5^th to the 6^th of December. Saint Nicolas was a bishop who lived in the 4^th century and it is said that he performed miracles such as the resurrection of children. In pictures, he is usually seen to wear a long red cloak and he has a big white beard, not unlike Father Christmas.

On the evening of the 5^th December, children put their shoes by the fireplace, hoping that Saint Nicolas will not forget to come down the chimney and bring them presents. They leave beer (de la bière) for Saint Nicolas and a carrot for his donkey (son âne).

Before the 6^th December, children sing this old song:

Saint Nicolas, patron des écoliers, Apportez-moi des pommes dans mes petits souliers. Je serai toujours sage comme un petit mouton, Je dirai mes prières pour avoir des bonbons. Venez, venez Saint Nicolas! Venez, venez Saint Nicolas! Venez! Venez Saint Nicolas! Tralala!

Here is a literal translation :

Santa Claus, patron saint of school children,

Bring me some apples in my little shoes

I will always be good just like a little lamb,

I will say my prayers to have some sweets.

Come, come Santa Claus!

Come!

Come Santa Claus

Tralala!

When the children find their toys (leurs jouets) and sweets (des bonbons) on the morning of the 6^th, they call, as loudly as they can,“Merci Saint Nicolas”

Monday 3 December 2012

No comments:

Post a Comment