Foreign Language is worth a try!
France is playing host to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It's the first time in the cup's 20-year history that it has been hosted by a non-English-speaking country. France has taken the initiative to use this sporting occasion to promote the French language.
Since last year, an educational project entitled ‘Parlez-vous rugby’ (Do you speak rugby?) was introduced by the British Council and the French National Ministry of Education which, by using Rugby as its ‘universal language’, hopes to break down barriers and develop teamwork and leadership as well as language skills in youngsters through a series of activities in a number of French and British schools.
Another campaign is also underway entitled ‘Oui, je parle rugby’ (Yes, I speak rugby). Launched by the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs in partnership with the French Rugby Union (Fédération Française de Rugby), TV channel TV5 Monde, RFI (International French Radio) and the Alliance Française with the objective of promoting the French language internationally, using a fresh and modern slant, which will appeal to new audiences - including rugby fans and those visitors from around the world attending matches.
Visit either:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/france_829/coupe-du-monde-rugby-2007_15449/index.html
and click on the relevant ‘Oui, je parle rugby’ links or
http://www.britishcouncil.org/france-education-parlez-vous-rugby.htm
where you will find a downloadable ‘French survival kit’ to help you enjoy the World Cup in French. As well as useful info for travelling and getting out and about, there is essential vocabulary included such as ‘When’s the kick-off?’, ‘Who’s winning’ etc. A useful rugby lexicon is also included in case you ever wondered what the French for ‘gum shield’ was.
TV5 Monde has produced a film to encourage the reluctant French speakers out there and demonstrate how professional players cope so admirably. The video shows 12 short clips of well-known foreign international rugby players talking in French about their experiences of both France and the French language. Entitled ‘Faites comme eux, apprenez le français’ (Be like them, learn French), you can watch it here:
with English subtitles if you wish!
And if you really want to show your solidarity with both the French and their language, 'Allez les bleus !' is the cry you're looking for.