Doubts in Dialects

Madhavi Latha T.A2Kwiziq community member

Doubts in Dialects

Mais .......   People in Switzerland  use Septante for Soxiante-Dix And Nonante for Quatre-Vingts  

What if we write these in kwiz/test ?

Asked 5 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

They'd be graded as a mistake. But it is an interesting question also from a linguistic and historic point of view. Because septante, huitante/octante nd nonante used to be the proper way in France, too, up to about 100 or so years ago.

Here is a discussion you might find interesting: https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/french-numbers-septante-huitante-octante-nonante-soixante-dix-quatre-vingts-quatre-vingt-dix.4205/

And for the record, I find quatre-vingt-dix-neuf a ludicrous way to cobble together 99: 4-20-10-9? Come on! :)

 

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi Madhavi,

Unfortunately the use of these archaic numbers still make French people smile and are not acceptable in French from France.

Miranda D.B1Kwiziq community member

In Belgium they use Septante, Nonante too :)

J. S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I've never heard anything but quatre-vingts in Belgium. Nonante is pretty much universal. I think septante is generally used too (but it turns up less often in prices).

As not everyone is learning "French from France" (and even then I think these turn up in some dialects) it would be helpful if these forms were allowed.
Madhavi Latha T. asked:

Doubts in Dialects

Mais .......   People in Switzerland  use Septante for Soxiante-Dix And Nonante for Quatre-Vingts  

What if we write these in kwiz/test ?

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