Taking a cue from
Klahanie’s blog, I’m doing this backwards
today. Instead of a word
starting with an X, I will use a
word that
ends with one. I fell in love with this silly yet adorable comic book when a
teenager and am so happy I can now read it in its original French. One of the fun
things about the “
Astérix the Gaul” comic book series, is that all of the names
of the
Gaelic men (from Astérix’s village) END in “X.”
The women’s names all end either in “E” or “A” as would be
appropriate in French. If you look carefully and read out the men’s names
however, the joke is on us as readers. Take for instance, what is an asterisk?
A star! How about Panoramix, ever had one taken at the dentists? Or Geriatrix, who
happens to be the oldest of the villagers. Obélix is Astérix’s best friend
(obelisk anyone?).
Astérix Le Gaulois was first published in 1959 in “
Pilote”magazine, and to this day is a French favorite with 35 volumes so far.
(my husband has two Pilote originals worth I don’t
know what) Then came the cartoons and now there are films. All have done well. There
is even a theme park near Paris, Parc Astérix. Here then, are some photos of
Astérix and Company to hopefully make you smile…
