Apr 2021
29m 55s
Pierre Steverlynck is a Belgian consul, a diplomat representing Belgium abroad. When we started the interview, I was nervous because I had been wondering for weeks what to call him. I was worried about coming across as impolite, not knowing whether I should call him “Pierre”, “Monsieur”, or any specific term of address related to his status. Find out the answer to this thorny issue in this first of two episodes of our conversation!
Pierre will tell us about his different missions and roles and will regularly draw parallels between the French and Belgian systems (uni, admin and diplomacy-wise), which is making this interview even more enriching!
Learn about the Belgian National Register, compulsory vote and the consequences for not voting, but also about some differences in how the French and Belgian speakers say the numbers 70 and 90… and how confusing this is even for us!
Affaires Etrangères (fem plur) = Foreign Affairs
CCD (contrat à durée déterminée) (nm) = fixed-term contract, temporary contract
enlever une épine du pied (de quelqu’un) = take a thorn out of [sb]’s side
lambda = average, regular, ordinary
rapatrier = to repatriate
ressortissant,e (n) = citizen, national
tour d’ivoire = ivory tower
trainer (avec quelqu’un) = to hang out (with someone)
visa long séjour (nm) = long stay visa
The post FV 126: (Part 1) Representing Belgium abroad: the work of a consul appeared first on French Your Way.