CDA: About that name

Hello Neighbors,

Parlez-vous francais? Evidently not. As a former teacher of French, I think it’s time we had a French lesson.

In English, le coeur, means “heart.” “Coeur d’Alene” is a short version of “Heart of an Awl” (spear). The early French fur traders found the Indians here to be very shrewd traders and would not be easily enticed to trade furs for trinkets. The French fur traders described them as having “hearts like spears.”

In English, le corps means “body,” “group,” or “unit.” The Marine Corps (French and English) is a tight unit of Marine military personnel.

Coeur is pronounced “kurr” or “kerr.” It’s hard to tell the difference. It’s somewhere between. It’s that “oeu” thing in the middle of the word.

Corps is pronounced “core” or “kor.” It’s hard to tell the difference.

In meetings, on the radio, on TV, with friends, on voice mail recordings, I hear people say “Corps d’Alene.” I try to think this is funny, as I see lights blink and the “body of a spear” rises up in the room or in front of my car. Le Corps. The Body. My town’s name is being massacred one more time. What is the teacher to do?

Please… It’s KURR d’Alene, not CORE d’Alene.

Merci beaucoup.

BARB NELSON

Kootenai County