SYDNEY – English may be a tough language for non-native speakers, and French President Emmanuel Macron was lost in translation while choosing the right word to describe the Australian prime minister’s spouse.
Concluding a joint press conference in Sydney, Macron went on to express his gratitude to Malcolm Turnbull and his wife, Lucy, for their hospitality.
“I want to thank you for your welcome, thank you and your delicious wife for your warm welcome,” the French president said, oblivious of the gaffe which immediately set social media ablaze.
https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/991576425579724800
The comment quickly sparked some lighthearted reaction on social media and in the Australian press amid lively conjecture about the French leader’s intent.
https://twitter.com/thefoodumbrella/status/991570421387538434
https://twitter.com/JaseCutler/status/991525993297862656
There were those, however, who tried to explain that it was a false friend for any French speaker, as “délicieuse” in French means “delightful”:
https://twitter.com/Lermont/status/991615705370902529
https://twitter.com/LauraWalkerKC/status/991615555076489216
https://twitter.com/nirunaveenda/status/991615811436535808
Many defended the president, who apparently, slipped up in his use of English, stressing that very few leaders speak several languages.
Emmanuel Macron paid a short visit to Australia for official talks with Prime Minister Turnbull on trade, defense and climate change.
