[Verse 1] She walks into the room, Madame Tremblay's awake There's a register to find — it's precision, not mistake Not joual, not a caricature, not a parody show But the French of a CLSC nurse — warm, measured, slow Say *on y va* not *nous allons*, say *déjeuner* at eight *C'est correct*, *pas de trouble*, let the patient calibrate Drop your English *r* — it grates like gravel on a stair Round it at the back, feel the resonance in there Never stress the last syllable, Quebec ears know the weight The music of the language — you can't afford to fake [Chorus] *On* for *nous*, *jaser* for a chat *Prendre une marche* — that's where it's at Ask with *-tu* — but only when it fits *Vous* and *Madame Tremblay* — that's the throughline, don't dismiss No sacres, no heavy anglicisms, no joual today Neutral Quebec professional — that's the only way *C'est correct, pas de trouble*, say it, make it land Three ways to say one thing — until she understands [Verse 2] False cognates are landmines buried under fluent ground *Actuellement* means *now* — watch the meaning go around *Éventuellement* means *someday* — not eventually, friend *Définitivement* — be careful how you comprehend *Sensible* means *sensitive*, not sensible in your head *Réaliser* means *accomplish* — choose your words with care instead *Supporter* means *to bear* — not to cheer someone along *Introduire* means *to insert* — hear the difference in this song Every false cognate is a volta — a sudden turn of sense Where meaning flips and elderly ears are left in suspense [Chorus] *On* for *nous*, *jaser* for a chat *Prendre une marche* — that's where it's at Ask with *-tu* — but only when it fits *Vous* and *Madame Tremblay* — that's the throughline, don't dismiss No sacres, no heavy anglicisms, no joual today Neutral Quebec professional — that's the only way *C'est correct, pas de trouble*, say it, make it land Three ways to say one thing — until she understands [Verse 3] For hearing-impaired listeners — lower pitch, not loud Face them when you're speaking, keep your consonants unclouded Short sentences, one idea — let the thought arrive complete Don't slur when you slow down — every syllable discrete When the word won't come, repair it — don't let silence break the trust *Attendez, je cherche mon mot* — acknowledge first, adjust *Vous voulez dire que…* — reflect it, hold the frame *Redites-moi ça autrement* — invite them back again A lexical gap becomes a bridge instead of wreckage left behind Repair is not a failure — it's a therapist's presence of mind
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