FR: The results in France were unexpected - past historic

[Becky85]

I've had a bit of a blank...can you use the past historic in spoken French? I'm doing a presentation on France's attitude to the European Constitution...is this sentence OK to use:

Les résultats en France furent inattendus et par conséquent, la ratification de la Constitution Européenne est actuellement en suspens.

(The results in France were unexpected, and as a result the ratification of the European Constitution is currently on hold)

Thanks.
Becky.

 

[Agnès E.]

It is perfect in this context, Becky.
But I doubt that it could fit in an everyday chat about clothes, work, weather...

 

[buddingtranslator]

The past historic is only used in written French. And normally only in literature rather than texts about the European Constitution. I would use "étaient inattendus" here.

Kind regards,

BT

 

[DearPrudence]

In real spoken French, we don't use the past historic much (or maybe just for fun ). But if you're doing an exam, reading an 'exposé', you can use it.
In your example, I don't really like the sound of it. Maybe because you have a past historic (no link with now) and just after, you have a present tense, which sounds really strange (though it's the case in English). But I guess my ears are far too sensitive anf unfortunately my brain can't think of any rational explanation. Actually, I couldn't think of another way to say it, I'm afraid. Maybe le passé composé would sound more natural.
Waiting for other opinions...

 

[bernik]

"The past historic is only used in written French"

It is still used in some french dialects.
For instance, in Eastern Brittany.

(But all french dialects are now headed for extinction).

 

[anangelaway]

Yes! I agree totally with Agnès, it is absolutely perfect in this context. Well done Becky!


Bernik, through we may have quite few differences, but from the sud-ouest to sud-est, it is still used apparantly as well...