All French nouns are masculine or feminine, and are preceded by 'le' or 'la' accordingly.
but suppose you are working in your lonely garret (!) inventing something absolutely brand-new, different, -never heard of before. Completely unknown. And you succeed....
"Eureka!" you shout, running naked into the street, - I've invented a new what'sit and I'm going to call it a `xzcqqpdzrrt' !"
But it's a "Thing", and therefore a noun.
So who, why, and when decides if it's 'le' or 'la'?
2007-10-22 07:24:37 · 9 answers · asked by Luke Skywalker 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
There seem to be various ways that this is done:
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.lang/browse_thread/thread/24a3ca7f79a4f2ea/8565138e19a413c3?lnk=raot
2007-10-22 07:32:18 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
L'Academie Francaise is the last word in all things grammatical in France. They are charged with keeping the language pure while keeping it current. The Academie publishes the official dictionary of the French language, and so, presumably, names (or at least approves the name of) all new inventions. Presumably, they also decide on the gender of such inventions.
2007-10-22 08:28:53 · answer #2 · answered by dansinger61 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would probably depend upon what the usage of the item was intended. Course you would have a tough time naming "The Thing" as the French language as they have an official committee that allow words to be added to the French vocabulary at certain intervals.
2007-10-22 07:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats a good question...maybe a combo like lela together lol. Im a french student and know a lil bit. But i dont know how to answer this. Je suis desolee
2007-10-22 07:31:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the ending type of the noun. rather sexist. lol
2007-10-22 07:28:08 · answer #5 · answered by dead or alive 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a bureau or something like that in France that decides on all grammatical matters- look it up
2007-10-22 07:28:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The advertising!!
2007-10-22 07:27:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always wondered that myself.
2007-10-22 07:26:55 · answer #8 · answered by chevalrose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LA
2007-10-22 07:26:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋