25 Indiquer la direction

Giving and understanding directions is difficult in a second language. This is due in part to listening to new information at a real-time speed while trying to process not only the words, but also the route you are hearing described. Another challenging aspect of giving and understanding directions is being able to identify important landmarks in a different country rather than simply street names.

In many countries, the cities and streets are set up differently than they are in the U.S. That means that you might not be able to take a straight path to where you want to go and you might have to go around something like a housing community, cross a river at a footbridge, or even take a several “block” detour around a giant cathedral or ancient palace.

In this portion, we are going to learn some basic directions so that we can navigate around a bit better. Pro tip: get a map, un plan de ville, when you get to a new city. Note important landmarks like la cathédrale, l’horloge, l’hôtel de ville, and la rive gauche or la rive droite so that you can center yourself if you hear those words come up when asking for directions.

Allez tout droit

Tournez à gauche Tournez à droite

Est-ce que vous pourriez m’indiquer comment aller à… ?

Les points cardinaux

le nord                 le sud                   l’est                     l’ouest

l’hôtel de ville (m.)                             la cathédrale                                     l’horloge(f.)                                     la rive gauche de + name of river

la rive droite de + name of river

passer par                                     vous êtes ici                                   Qu’est-ce que vous cherchez?

Suivez…                                                     Prenez…

E x E r c i c E 9 . 2 9

Un plan de ville. Première étape : Use the space below to draw a quick map of a made up city. Then, draw yourself somewhere on the map. Be sure to include the following:

1. une grande horloge
2. l’hôtel de ville
3. une (ou deux) cathédrale.s
4. un palais
5. un musée
6. un fleuve (river)
7. une boulangerie
8. ton appartement
9. une papeterie
10. une boucherie

    Deuxième étape : Based on your map, write out directions for each of the following prompts.

    1. Est-ce que vous pourriez m’indiquer comment aller à la grande horloge?
    2. Est-ce que vous pourriez m’indiquer comment aller au musée?
    3. Est-ce que vous pourriez m’indiquer comment aller à la bonne boucherie?
    4. Est-ce que vous pourriez m’indiquer comment aller à mon propre appartement?
    5. Est-ce que vous pourriez m’indiquer comment aller au palais?

Troisième étape : Trade your map with a partner. Take turns asking the questions in la deuxième étape out loud and allow your partner to explain to you while looking at their map. On your turn, explain how to get the places your partner asks you while they look at your map.