{"product_id":"faux-amis-and-key-words-a-dictionary-guide-to-french-life","title":"Faux Amis and Key Words: A Dictionary-Guide to French Life","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review the book serves as a practical reference for anyone who works with French and worries about false friends. Faux Amis and Key Words is a compact, informed guide that focuses on lookalikes and confusables and explains not only literal meanings but the social contexts in which words are used. Readers will find the tone witty yet scholarly, and the entries designed to be used alongside a dictionary rather than replacing one. The single biggest reason to buy is its combination of clear linguistic notes and cultural explanation that help avoid embarrassing mistranslations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused coverage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Entries target so-called false friends and lookalikes, helping readers spot common traps between English and French.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContextual explanations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each entry expands beyond definition to explain social and cultural usage in contemporary French life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise layout:\u003c\/strong\u003e The individual entries are designed to deliver the essential linguistic information quickly for reference use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended further reading:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book includes a brief list of dictionaries and introductory works to extend learning beyond the guide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReadable tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Witty and entertaining prose keeps the material engaging for both students and professionals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guide is ideal for intermediate to advanced learners of French, translators, teachers and professionals who need to avoid false friends in writing or speech. It is particularly useful for those who already use a general dictionary but want targeted notes on common confusables and cultural usage that a standard dictionary does not provide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginners seeking a comprehensive grammar or a beginner textbook should look elsewhere; this book assumes some familiarity with French and is meant as a complementary reference rather than an introductory course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractical focus on false friends makes it immediately useful when reading or translating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe cultural context provided prevents literal but inappropriate translations in social situations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcise entries make the book easy to consult in everyday use without long study sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a substitute for a full dictionary or structured language course, as the book is intentionally a complementary guide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFaux Amis and Key Words: A Dictionary-Guide to French Life and Language through Lookalikes and Confusables\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilip Thody, Howard Evans, Gwilym Rees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFalse friends, French language and society\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReference guide to be used alongside a dictionary\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWitty, entertaining, informative\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended for\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate to advanced learners and translators\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFaux Amis and Key Words is a smart, well focused reference for anyone who already knows some French and wants to avoid common confusables while understanding cultural usage. It offers good value as a complementary guide to standard dictionaries, combining useful linguistic detail with readable commentary that saves both time and potential embarrassment in real-world situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book a replacement for a dictionary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. No, it is designed to be used alongside a standard dictionary and points readers to recommended further readings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho are the authors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The guide is by Philip Thody, with contributions from Howard Evans and Gwilym Rees, drawing on linguistic and cultural expertise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it explain cultural usage?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. Yes, entries expand into social and cultural contexts so readers learn how words function in contemporary French life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Philip Thody, Howard Evans, Gwilym Rees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48224282018011,"sku":"1474247172","price":225.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/712fJpiR4vL._SL1500.jpg?v=1770722395","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/faux-amis-and-key-words-a-dictionary-guide-to-french-life","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}