source of the picture above: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-37025092
Yes I just joined the crazy alphabet challenge, but with a twist as I will present to you French (Canadian variant) words starting with specific letters, notably this week the letter E.
In the picture above you see the Orca or killer whale (English). The Orca is also named Orca or Orque but also “ÉPAULARD” in the French language. The prononciation of this French word sounds like this “e p o l a r”. So, the “é” is pronounced just like hey but with no letter “h”, “pau” just like po and “lard” just like lard but without pronouncing the letter “d”.
“Épaulard” is a French word that probably came from “espaulart” and “espaart” meaning shoulder or “épaule” in old French. This French etymology was also probably associated with the word “espee” or “épée” meaning sword that was related with the dorsal fin of this great great toothed whale which belongs to the dolphin family.
In fact the “épaulard” is the largest of the dolphin family with the males ranging from 6-8 meters long (20-26 feet and around 6 tonnes) and the females from 5-7 meters (16-23 feet with 3-4 tonnes). The “épaulards” can be found just about anywhere in all oceans and most seas.
The “épaulards” are considered apex predators. This means that they have no natural predators that can hunt them. The “Épaulards” mostly hunt in packs (just like wolves). They prey on fish, mammals (like seals), birds, sea turtles and even sharks and rays. Just like sharks and other whales, the “épaulards” can easily jump out of the water to catch a prey in mid air or mid flight.
I hope you enjoyed your French lesson and presentation of this beautiful marine mammal…
He really is wonderful, but I don’t want to meet him. Thanks for sharing interesting information and French language course ?
I am very happy you enjoy the French lesson… Thank you very much for dropping in and commenting and up voting.
One of the most beautiful animals to see in the wild. The first time I saw one was on a whale-watching ride off the coast of Vancouver.
Of course Vancouver B.C. I would have loved to see that too. Thank you for visiting not only my post but also Canada and thanks for your comment and up vote…
you are most welcome, I have been to Canda many times, Montreal, Vancouver, Whistler, Quebec just to name a few
Love these whales. Always interesting to read your posts. Glad you joined the challenge.
I also love these whales and any kind of whales whether it be the blue whale or the beluga etc… Thank you so much for your lovely comment/compliment and now we can correspond in French right?. Just joking….
Thank you so much for your comment and up vote. Now I will want to hear you say the French word that I just presented….
Èpaulard (pronounced as e-po-lar). That’s it, right?
Yes but since the e has an accent grave it sounds more like hey polar but without pronouncing the letter h. Hope I am making sense…and I answer your question…
Yes, I have understood how to pronounce the word. I will add it to the fewer French words I know – greetings.
This was interesting. The French name for Orca or killer whale.
Sorry Introvert. I keep on doing it. I answered your very nice comment under my own comment under my name on my own post. I really think I will have to only type on my laptop alone and forget my tablet or cell.
No need to apologize. I understand. I usually use my smartphone to access Virily.