Julien I am new here, and don't know if there is a philologist lurking. It is not a boring message, so much as a difficult one, and bordering on the OT. There seems to be no 'balade' or similar in the good English dictionary that I have. If you look at words starting with bal or ball, though, you get a general impression of meanings relating to pleasure, fun, sport, and psychological release. Most list members would probably be happy to include a good ride under these headings!
There are similar senses in Welsh, language of the Pays de Galles. 'Bala' (noun and town) means the outflow of a lake into a river - the water goes for a ride, if you like.
I had better stop here, before the List goes ballistic.
Richard Coy. Powys, Mid Wales.
----- Original Message From: julien peponnet
>This is my first email to the list although i've been reading
(sometimes just trying to) your emails for a short while. I was
asking myself something about english language, searching through
google when i thought i might asked "more real" people. By the way, i
am french and living in bordeaux, 30 years old...
I know it is not the right place for this message and i apologize to
whom might be offended reading one "boring message".>
Here it is :
>In french, we use two different spelling for a word that sounds
exactly the same:
>it is the word :
>-ballade which means an old folklric song and has the same meaning in
english (ballad)
or
>-balade (with only one l as you noticed) which means having a ride or
a walk which made me think of the list as we would say in french "a
balade ? v?lo"...
>I searched quite a bit on google but could someone confirm to me that
a balad for you english native would not exist and never be
understood as going for a ride?
>It may feel stupid to you but it is important for my research..
>julien peponnet
bordeaux, france.
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