Depuis le temps que j'en cherchais une comme ça

Question

I am sorry to raise this, but I am afraid that I found the pronunciation of this phrase very difficult.

Even having seen the answer, I still could not reconcile the two. "le temps" I managed to translate initially when hearing it as "longtemps", but seeing the correct answer and re-running the sound clip again and again, the closest I could get was "l'eau temps" and certainly not "le temps".

I recognize that there are many different ways of pronouncing things, but I do feel that in a dictation the diction should be clear.

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour i,
When learning a new language, your brain filters sounds according to what you know and the sounds it is "familiar" with. So, you sometimes think you've hear a sound, but, in reality, it is not present at all. Hence, hearing "longtemps/l'eau temps" for example.
Also, Maarten is right. When doing a listening exercise, you have to use external elements on top of your grammar skills, especially, if you think you are hearing a word that does not make much sense. So it's important to keep an eye out for the context, the topic and use one's common sense.
Audio issue
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Maarten Kamp · Answer

i. I

might be a technical issue - it is quite clearly enunciated to my ears.

This is meant to be B2 level, and there is really nothing else it could be in the context of the phrase either. Recognition of phrases/expressions based on context, rather than individual sounds, syllable or words, is important in most languages, I suspect.