‘Arrogant’ means more than that

WITH reference to the word “arrogant” used in the article about Gérard Depardieu (Connexion, April), I often wonder whether Englishspeaking people realise that this word has two meanings in French. It can be translated as “arrogant” but it can also mean either “impudent” (cheeky, brazen), or “impertinent” (insolent, rude). Although all the translations mean something that is not nice, I feel that this difference (one of two possible meanings in French) could lead to a misunderstanding, especially to a French person.

Also, I agree with doctor Theodore Zeldin’s quote in the same article that “claims of French arrogance are nonsense”. The fact that the French have always been very demonstrative (and use nonverbal communication clues such as gestures, tone of voice, and facial expression) could in my opinion lead to the conclusion that someone is being arrogant, when they are just confident.

I remember Eric Cantona arguing this difference once, many years ago when he played football for an English team.

Monique JACKMAN
by email