Contrastes: grammaire du français courant by Denise Rochat (review)

Taught Languages”) provides an excellent overview of that field including the categories of LCTLs, the rationale behind LCTL offerings at universities, and enrollment data (check the University of Minnesota’s LCTL database and 2007 MLA enrollment data for up-to-date information). Lisa Signori’s “The Belgian Connection” addresses the importance of including Belgium in French programs and provides useful information about the country. All in all, Languages for the Nation provides a useful contribution to the profession, and readers taking the time to peruse its pages will find much to recommend it. Ohio State University Diane W. Birckbichler ROCHAT, DENISE. Contrastes: grammaire du français courant. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009. ISBN 0-205-64699-0. Pp. 504. $52.00. Contrastes is a grammar textbook for students with a solid foundation in French, ready to refine skills and learn nuances. It is designed as a review aimed at English-speaking students, and North-American translations of idiomatic expressions grace every chapter. It is well organized and concise, and it is exponentially user-friendlier in regards to grasping grammar points compared with other texts of its genre, considering the vast information packed into its twentyone chapters. One key element that enhances its user-friendliness is the use of contrastive shades of green to highlight finer points. Teachers of advanced grammar courses have likely adopted more traditional manuals at this level, ones that contain no images and lead users through a sea of dense black text, page after page. Contrastes doesn’t have images, but the plethora of charts, notably the Nota Bene boxes, synchronizes successfully with color usage and proves effective in processing the information. Its versatility lies in filtering material according to level with a “marginal color band” on the outside edge of the page that indicates more advanced topics in each chapter. The organization, meticulous attention to detail, and bountiful examples stand out and make this one of the best comprehensive grammar reviews available for native speakers of English. The textbook is written in French. Students learn about grammar in French and learn how to discuss it in French as well. In short, they acquire a lexicon of grammatical concepts in French from the basic (le présent de l’indicatif) to the sophisticated (temps et modes dans le discours indirect au passé). Concepts are clearly numbered for easy reference. Furthermore, Nota Bene boxes “draw attention to exceptions, contrasts, or frequent errors” (ix) and are separately numbered for quicker referencing. Regarding frequent errors, a useful feature is the supplying of an example, followed by a bracketed example of a common incorrect usage. In chapter 2, section 8 on Quantités déterminées, for instance, several scenarios show the correct usage, incorrect usage, and a translation of the sentence: “Achète-moi une livre de fraises, s’il te plaît. [ET NON: Achète-moi une livre de fraises.] Buy me a pound of strawberries, please.” Also: “Elle a beaucoup d’amis. [ET NON: elle a beaucoup des amis.] She has lots of friends.” And so on. Bringing common errors to students’ attention in this manner solidifies recognition, and consequently, students are less likely to repeat errors. Hannelore Jarausch, who reviewed the text, astutely notes that Contrastes “allows students to grapple with the differences between English and French, something quite appropriate for this level” (back cover). Reviews 829 Other principal features include: a) a myriad of excellent charts/tables (invaluable resources for visual learners and excellent tools for referencing concepts at a glance), b) substantial lists of frequently used verbs, pertinent vocabulary and common idiomatic expressions, c) short Vérification/Vérification et récapitulation exercises throughout each chapter with answers in the back for immediate feedback, and d) a workbook (written with Catherine Bloom) closely cross-referenced with the textbook for ample additional practice. In addition to two new chapters, streamlined explanations, and revised appendices, the second edition boasts a separate verb index that facilitates access to commonly used verbs, and an interactive online version of the workbook available on MyFrenchLabTM , a nice alternative to the traditional hard copy. In sum, Contrastes is versatile and fosters effective learning. The Pearson Higher Ed website states...