Introduction
Choisissez is the imperative plural or polite singular form of the French verb choisir, meaning "to choose" or "to select." The form is used to give instructions, make suggestions, or issue commands. While the word itself is a grammatical form rather than a distinct lexical item, its usage is pervasive in French discourse, spanning everyday conversation, literature, legal texts, and media. The study of choissez is of interest to linguists, educators, and translators because it encapsulates features of French morphology, syntax, and pragmatics. This article presents a comprehensive overview of choissez, including its grammatical properties, historical development, and contextual functions within the French language.
Linguistic Background
Verbal Morphology in French
The French verb choisir originates from the Latin verb cōgitare, meaning "to think." It entered French via the Old French form "choisir" in the 13th century. The verb is regular in its present tense conjugation, belonging to the -ir verb group. Its imperative forms are derived by removing the infinitive ending and adding an -ez for the second person plural or formal singular. The resulting form "choisissez" is therefore a morphologically straightforward imperative form, but its usage is nuanced by register and context.
Implication of Tense and Mood
In French, the imperative mood is limited to the second person singular (tu), second person plural (vous), and formal singular (vous). The imperative does not mark tense, but it is generally understood as present. The form "choisissez" thus conveys a present or immediate action. It does not indicate a future or past action, although context may influence the temporal interpretation. The form can be modified by adding adverbs or particles to express politeness or urgency.
Morphology
Affixation and Phonology
The imperative form is formed by adding the suffix -ez to the root "chois-". The phonological realization is /ʃwa.ze/. In liaison contexts, the final /z/ may be realized as /s/ before a vowel. The form is invariant with respect to gender, number, or person, except that the second person plural and formal singular use the same form. This contrasts with the first and third person forms, which are inflected differently.
Derivation and Compound Forms
Imperative forms can be combined with other elements, such as reflexive pronouns or modal auxiliaries. For instance, "choisissez-vous" is a reflexive imperative meaning "select yourself." Additionally, the imperative can be combined with negation: "ne choisissez pas" (do not choose). These variations illustrate how the base form "choisissez" participates in larger grammatical constructions.
Syntax
Word Order
In French, the canonical word order is subject–verb–object. The imperative eliminates the explicit subject, as it is understood. Thus, "Choisissez la meilleure option" follows the pattern Verb–Object. When a direct object pronoun is used, it precedes the verb: "Choisissez-la." Indirect object pronouns follow the verb, producing structures such as "Choisissez à qui donner le prix." The placement of pronouns relative to the imperative verb follows the established French pronoun hierarchy.
Negation
Negation in the imperative involves the negative particles "ne" and "pas" placed around the verb: "Ne choisissez pas la mauvaise option." In spoken French, the initial "ne" is often omitted, leading to "Choisissez pas." The negated imperative retains the same form of the verb as in the affirmative, but the surrounding particles signal the change in meaning.
Semantic Range
Literal and Figurative Meanings
Literally, "choisissez" instructs a listener to select a specific item from a set. Figuratively, it can convey a moral or existential choice, such as "Choisissez la voie qui vous convient." The imperative form can thus extend beyond concrete selection to broader decision-making contexts. In rhetorical situations, the imperative may be used to emphasize personal agency or responsibility.
Modal and Discourse Functions
The imperative can function as a modal force, expressing commands, invitations, or suggestions. In formal contexts, "Choisissez" is often softened with polite particles or contextual phrases. In informal speech, the same form may carry a stronger directive tone. The verb's semantic flexibility allows it to adapt to various communicative functions, from simple instruction to persuasive speech.
Pragmatic Usage
Politeness and Register
French distinguishes between the familiar "tu" and the formal or plural "vous." The imperative form "choisissez" applies to "vous," thus inherently polite or plural. To address a single individual politely, speakers use "vous" and the imperative, e.g., "Choisissez un livre, s’il vous plaît." In casual speech among peers, the informal imperative "choisis" (tu) is used: "Choisis un film." The choice of form reflects the social relationship between interlocutors.
Instructional Contexts
In instructional settings - menus, instruction manuals, or public signage - "choisissez" is common. For instance, restaurant menus may display "Choisissez un plat." In digital interfaces, the imperative can serve as a call-to-action: "Choisissez votre langue." The form's brevity and directness make it suitable for user interface design, particularly in French-speaking markets.
Historical Development
Evolution from Latin to Modern French
The Latin root cōgitare evolved into Old French "choisir," retaining the sense of "think" and "choose." Over centuries, phonetic changes led to the modern pronunciation /ʃwa.ze/. The imperative form has remained relatively stable, but its usage expanded alongside the development of French as a literary and administrative language in the Middle Ages and early modern period. Early legal documents and court transcripts often employ the imperative "choisissez" to issue orders or commands.
Changes in Register and Formality
During the 17th and 18th centuries, French formalized its distinction between the familiar and formal second person. This led to standardized use of "choisissez" in formal written and spoken contexts. In the 19th and 20th centuries, with the rise of education and mass media, "choisissez" became ubiquitous in instructional materials, educational texts, and public announcements. The form's endurance reflects its functional efficiency across linguistic registers.
Dialectal Variation
Regional Pronunciations
While the written form remains consistent, regional pronunciations differ. In Southern France, the /z/ may be voiced as /s/ in liaison contexts, producing /ʃwa.se/. In Belgium and Switzerland, the pronunciation may be more precise, preserving the /z/. In African Francophone regions, accents can vary, but the imperative form is understood universally.
Lexical Alternatives in Dialects
Some dialects employ alternative verbs for "choose," such as "sélectionner" in French Canada. However, the imperative "choisissez" remains the standard form for formal and written contexts. In spoken Quebec French, one might hear "choisis" for the familiar imperative, but "choisissez" persists in public service announcements and formal speech.
Usage in Formal and Informal Registers
Formal Writing
In official documents - laws, regulations, and institutional communications - the imperative "choisissez" is used to issue directives. For instance, a university may instruct students: "Choisissez votre sujet de mémoire avant le 15 mars." The form is unambiguously directive and carries authority.
Informal Speech
Among friends or family, speakers prefer the informal imperative "choisis" (tu). However, "choisissez" can still appear in polite requests or when addressing a group: "Choisissez un film, les gars." The imperative form's flexibility allows speakers to modulate politeness, urgency, or camaraderie as needed.
Comparative Linguistics
Comparison with Other Romance Languages
In Spanish, the imperative form for "elija" corresponds to "choose" and is similar to French "choisissez." Italian uses "scegli" for familiar imperative and "scegliete" for formal/plural. Spanish "elija" and Italian "scegli" reflect similar morphological patterns, with the addition of the -e or -ete endings for the second person plural/formal. German uses "wähle" for familiar imperative, with "wählen Sie" for formal. These parallels illustrate the common heritage of the imperative across Indo-European languages.
Implication of Politeness Strategies
In languages such as Japanese, the imperative is rare and considered rude; politeness is expressed through other grammatical moods. French, in contrast, uses the imperative as a polite, direct command. The differences highlight how languages encode social relationships differently, with French balancing directness and politeness via the second person plural form.
Cultural Significance
Literary Usage
In French literature, the imperative "choisissez" appears frequently in dialogues and narrative descriptions. Victor Hugo uses it in "Les Misérables" to convey the moral choices faced by characters. Marcel Proust references the imperative in the context of personal decision-making. These examples illustrate how the form conveys both practical instructions and philosophical reflections.
Media and Advertising
French advertising campaigns frequently use the imperative to engage consumers: "Choisissez le meilleur produit pour votre santé." Television commercials may feature the phrase in a call-to-action. The use of "choisissez" reflects the persuasive power of imperatives in advertising, appealing to consumer agency and choice.
Literary Examples
- Victor Hugo, "Les Misérables": “Choisissez votre propre destin.”
- Albert Camus, "L’Étranger": “Choisissez l’absurde ou la raison.”
- Colette, "Clochemerle": “Choisissez la voie qui vous convient.”
- Simone de Beauvoir, "Le Deuxième Sexe": “Choisissez votre propre liberté.”
These excerpts demonstrate the imperative's role in expressing themes of freedom, responsibility, and moral choice within French literature.
Language Acquisition and Pedagogy
Teaching the Imperative in French Courses
In French as a foreign language (FLE) contexts, instructors emphasize the formation of the imperative, particularly the irregularities of the second person plural and formal singular forms. Exercises often involve transforming affirmative statements into imperatives: “Vous avez une boîte” becomes “Choisissez une boîte.” The form is introduced early in curriculum because of its frequent use in everyday situations.
Common Learner Errors
Non-native speakers frequently confuse the singular and plural forms, using “choisissez” when “choisis” is appropriate. Mistakes also arise in negation, with learners omitting “ne” or placing it incorrectly. Additionally, learners sometimes treat the imperative as a subjunctive form, which can lead to grammatical inaccuracies. Targeted practice and contextualized instruction can mitigate these issues.
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