French
From Simmons Library Research Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. Please contact a librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
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Reference and Background Information
Search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
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French Language Reference Sources
- Dictionnaire de Oeuvres Contemporaines de Tous Les Pays (Dictionary of Contemporary Works of the World)
Level 1 Reference AG25 .D552
This is an encyclopedia written in French describing contemporary artists and writers, among other important figures.
- Dictionnaire Etymologique de la Langue Française
Level 1 Reference PC2580 .B55 1975
This is a dictionary of the etymology of the French language. A very comprehensive source, but it is best for those who are already proficient in speaking French.
- Encyclopédie du Bon Français dans l'Usage Contemporain
Level 1 Reference PC2460 .D88
An encyclopedia that can also be used as a French dictionary and usage guide. It is best that users of this work are proficient in speaking French.
- Lexis: Dictionnaire de la Langue Française
Level 1 Reference PC2625 .L49
French language dictionary with over 30,000 definitions and terms.
- Petit Larousse Illustré
Level 1 Reference PC2625 .P47 1973
A detailed and comprehensive French language dictionary with many beautiful illustrations.
- Le Petit Robert
Level 1 Reference PC2625 .R5545 1991
Excellent French to French dictionary.
French-English Dictionaries
- Adrienne's Dictionary: Dictionnaire de l'américain parlé
Level 1 Reference PE2837.F7 A368 1991
Adrienne's is an English to French dictionary, with a focus on idiomatic and slang terms. "Naughty" words and phrases are most definitely included, and this is the source to go to if you are having problems cursing at or propositioning someone in French. Several entries may be clustered under a main topic (i.e. orange and peach can both be found under fruit) for easy reference.
- Collins French Dictionary Plus
Simmons Eresource
Online French-English, English-French dictionary that includes grammar. Has a convenient built-in citation guide.
- Collins-Robert French-English, English-French Dictionary
Level 1 Reference PC2640 .C69 1987b
This is your basic English to French and French to English dictionary, targeted at all audiences. Has a translation for all but the most obscure words, without prudery or censorship.
- Concise Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary
Simmons Eresource
Online French-English and English-French dictionary, covers most common words and phrases. Includes a built-in spell checker that recommends similar words if it can't find an entry.
- Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage
Level 1 Reference PE3304 .D54 1996
This dictionary is a collection of definitions of words, English or of any other linguistic or cultural extraction, commonly used in the Caribbean. Each word is identified by etymological origin, and correlated with homophones and relevant synonyms.
- Dictionnaire Thématique Visuel Français-Anglais French-English Visual Dictionary
Level 1 Reference PC2625 .C66 1987
Organized into categorical sections, this dictionary is a series of illustrated, labeled diagrams of common, and some uncommon, objects. Topics covered include clothes, architecture, kitchen utensils, sports fields and auto parts.
- Grand Dictionnaire
Level 1 Reference PC2625 .G735 1993
This book is massive English to French and French to English dictionary. If you can't find the word you're looking for in the Collins-Robert Dictionary, try looking here.
- Harrap's New Collegiate French and English Dictionary
Level 1 Reference PC2640 .H32 1982
A condensed version of Harrap's New Standard French and English Dictionary, also available in the library, this volume is geared to meet the needs of all comers. A good reference, this book covers most standard words, but leaves more obscure verbiage well alone.
- New Cassell's French Dictionary
Level 2 Books PC2640 .C3 1970
This is a standard French to English and English to French dictionary covering basic vocabulary and some advanced vocabulary.
Literature
- Critical Bibliography of French Literature
Level 1 Reference PQ103 .C74
In 6 volumes with multiple supplements, this important work includes signed article covering all aspects of French literature beginning with the medieval period through the 20th century.
- Dictionary of Modern French Literature
Level 1 Reference PQ41 .D65 1986
This is a dictionary of important French figures from the Age of Reason through Realism. The entries are alphabetical by the last name of the subject. The appendices include a detailed time line, and subject guide.
- French women writers : a bio-bibliographical source book
Level 1 Reference PQ149 .F73 1991
Intended for all audiences, this book covers fifty one women writers of France with biographic entries that include full bibliographies of their works, themes they explored in their literature, and surveys of critical reactions to their works.
- Les Littératures francophones depuis 1945
Level 2 Books PQ3809 .L58x 1986
This work is a short history of French language and literature abroad, post-1945, written in French.
- Literary History of France
Level 1 Reference PQ103 .C4
This series of small volumes are an in-depth, if somewhat dry, survey of French literature during several key periods, beginning in the Middle Ages. The books are organized by theme and format, and, where appropriate, by century.
- New Oxford Companion to Literature in French
Level 1 Reference PQ41 .H32 1995
This book is an alphabetically organized encyclopedia of literature in French, mainly entries concern authors or works, but there are some general entries on topics such as DADA, Postmodernism, slavery, or others that had an important impact on the literature. Entries are concise and readable, making this volume a good place to begin research.
Finding Articles
Below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on the topic that you have chosen to research. These databases include articles from newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials so you should use them after you have narrowed your topic.
- MLA Bibliography
Simmons Eresource
Provides some one million citations for items from over 4,000 journals and series published worldwide. It also indexes books, essay collections, working papers, proceedings, dissertations, and bibliographies. Each record contains a bibliographic citation for a journal article, book, or other item, and library holdings for the journal title, book, or other item.
The advanced search will allow users to limit searches to articles published in many foreign languages, including French.
- Humanities Fulltext
Simmons Eresource
A database of article citations on topics in the Humanities, some available full-text. Includes content from more than 300 key humanities publications, including feature articles, book reviews, interviews, obituaries, bibliographies, original works of fiction (including dramas and poems), and reviews of plays, operas, ballets, dance, musicals, movies, and television and radio programs.
- Academic Search Complete
Simmons Eresource
Academic Search Complete is a great place to start your search for both popular and scholarly articles, no matter what your topic is! It contains journals from almost every topic and is designed specifically for academic institutions. It provides more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, 4,400 of which are peer-reviewed journals. This resource also features content as far back as 1865.
- Academic Onefile
Simmons Eresource
Academic Onefile contains 8,000 academic journals, the majority in full-text, available in HTML and PDF formats. In addition it contains hundreds of podcasts and transcripts from NPR, CNN, and the CBC.
- Expanded Academic ASAP
Simmons Eresource
From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, this database meets research needs across all academic disciplines. Access scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers - many with full text and images. Updated daily.
TIP: Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
French-Language Newspapers
- Lexis Nexis Academic
Simmons Eresource
Provides searchable access to a comprehensive spectrum of full-text information from over 5,600 sources--including non-English language sources--selected to meet academic research needs. Included are national and regional newspapers, wire services, broadcast transcripts, international news, U.S. Federal and state case law, codes, regulations, legal news, law reviews, and international legal information, Shepard's Citations for all U.S. Supreme Court cases back to 1789, business news journals, company financial information, SEC filings and reports, industry and market news, statistics, and medical information.
To find news stories in French, choose "Non-English Language News" from the drop down menu in the "Guided News Search" tab. Then select "French Language News" from the drop down menu in step 2. You can also select the news source!=
- Afrik
Free Online
Based in Paris, this online journal provides current news with an emphasis on items of interest to Francophone Africa.
- Le Monde
Free Online
Based in Paris, this is the major news source for France. It covers France and the world from a French National perspective.
- Le Figaro
Free Online
Based in France, this covers France and the World.
- La Libre Belgique
Free Online
Based in Belgium, this paper covers Belgium and the world.
- L'Agence Haïtienne de Presse en Ligne
Free Online
The Haitian Press Agency, providing access to daily news in both French and English.
- Le Devoir
Free Online
Based in Montreal, Quebec, this paper cover the news of Canada in the world.
- Cyberpress
Free Online
This Canadian service consolidates the contents of its French language Canadian newspapers: La Presse, Le Soleil, La Nouvelliste, Le Quotidion, La Tribune, Le Droit, and La Voix de L'Est.
Searching the Web
French Language Search Engines
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
You may also consider consulting these resources:
- Writing Resources
Free Online
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- RefWorks
Simmons Eresource
RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books, and other materials you need for research. You can also use RefWorks to create bibliographies, create in text citations in your paper (Write-N-Cite), and share your research with others. Access RefWorks from the A-Z list of resources on the library's web page, and then follow the instructions to create your own username and password. We hold RefWorks Clinics throughout the semester. For more information, ask a reference librarian
