Thanks for your helpful and amazing website. I have a question, why would you use « langues de prestige » and not « langues de la prestige »?
Linking words with de
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Rana D.Kwiziq community member
Linking words with de
This question relates to:French interactive reading exercise "20 Mars : Journée de la Francophonie"
Reading B2, Celebrations & Important Dates, Language & Education, Listening or Seeing B2
Asked 4 years ago
Bonjour Rana,
Une langue de + nom = a language (made) of + noun
You are talking about it in a general way, nothing specific.
L’italien est une langue d’amour = Italian is a language (made) of love
Le français est une langue de prestige = French is a language (made) of prestige
La langue de la / de l’ / du + nom= the language of + noun
You are talking about a specific concept / idea
L’italien est la langue de l’amour = Italian is ‘the’ language of love
Le français est la langue du prestige = French is ‘the’ language of prestige
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée!
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
You are talking about "prestige" in a general way. Not about a specific "prestige". Hence no definite article.
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