Program 466: The Bonjour Effect; Reporting From Nicaragua
Release Date: 12-10-2016
Description
Montreal-based authors of "The Bonjour Effect" discuss the unwritten rules of conversation in France, and the communication hurdles visitors face — even those who speak perfect French. Then reporter Peter Costantini shares updates from Nicaragua, where he's been investigating problems behind the country's bid to build a canal to rival Panama's.
Guests
- Jean-Benoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow, authors of "The Bonjour Effect" (St. Martin's Press)
- Seattle-based freelance reporter Peter Costantini
Related Links
- Jean-Benoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow are the authors of "The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed."
- The Bonjour Effect was reviewed in the Toronto Star and in the New York Times.
- The website for France Culture includes "le direct" listen live links to their various radio services.
- Peter Costantini's article on the economics of the proposed Nicaraguan canal was published in English and in Spanish by Confidencial, which Peter notes is the most important news organization in Nicaragua.
- Peter also reported for MSNBC News in 1996 on a smaller project called the "Dry Canal" that was never built.
- AARP has included Granada, Nicaragua on its list of most-livable locales for retirement.
- Wikipedia discusses tourism in Nicaragua, including a list of which countries' residents need to purchase a visa to visit. It also has profiles of Ometepe Island and the popular surfing area of San Juan del Sur.
Program Extras
Cursing in Quebec - Since Quebec missed out on the French Revolution, its culture differs from France in more ways than just its accent. A Travel with Rick Steves listener in Miami asks the Montreal-based authors of "The Bonjour Effect" to illustrate how the trans-Atlantic divide that makes things interesting between Americans and their British cousins, is also evident in the unique types of profanities French Canadians prefer versus what you'll hear someone say in France when they stub their toe. (runs 5:44)
Political Nicaragua - Rick asks reporter Peter Costantini if he thinks Nicaragua is a "banana republic." They discuss Nicaragua's political history with democracy and with American interests, and the major issues the country is confronting today. (runs 10:46)