French For Dancers Newsletter: En Croix
French For Dancers
Demystifying dance terminology and steps for dancers and dance-lovers!
Issue 8: En Croix
Bonjour! Welcome to French For Dancers!
Each newsletter, we will look at a dance term, its pronunciation, meaning, use. Often, different dance techniques will use varying terminology for the same step, so I will try to include those, too.
This week’s term is a directional one, En Croix.
Parlez-Vous Ballet?
(Do you speak Ballet?)
EN CROIX
(on-krwah)
Pronunciation: Oh là là, we’ve encountered a tricky French “r!” If you can’t flip your tongue into the right position to make the purring “r” sound, try combining an “r” and a “w.” You might sound like you’re coughing for a bit, but if you listen to some spoken French, you might just get it! (See À La Carte section below for a suggested video.)
Also, don’t pronounce the “i” or the “x” in croix. It’s not the “oy” sound from the American English pronunciation of Saint Croix. The “oi” makes an open “ah” sound, as it does in croissant.
En Croix means in the shape of a cross. (Croix = Cross)
It refers to the pattern of performing a step, such as a tendu, to the front, then the side, then the back. Unlike the rond de jambe which also moves through these positions, en croix usually implies that the working foot returns to the starting position in between each movement, thus making the cross or x-shape.
For example, beginning in 1st position, move the foot to tendu front, then return to 1st. Bring it to tendu side, then back to 1st. Finally, tendu back, then return to 1st. An additional movement to tendu side and back again can be included for the front-side-back-side pattern.
En croix can be reversed to begin in the back, too.
Steps usually performed en croix as part of an exercise can include tendu, dégagé, and grand battements. Echappés can also be done en croix, whether in rélevé (risen, on the toes) or sauté (jumped).
Savoir-Faire
(Know-How)
Student Tip:
If you’re feeling challenged by the French vocabulary, remember that a lot of it comes from basic words, directions, and shapes. Last week’s word, rond de jambe, makes a half-circle (rond=round). This week’s en croix makes an X or cross shape. Draw the patterns in your dance notebook to help you remember the terms.
Teacher Tip
If you have a whiteboard or other space to write in your studio, draw the patterns of steps or combinations out – this will be especially helpful for your students who are visual learners. Stick figures are great for this (which is the limit of my own artistic talents!).
À La Carte
(From the Menu)
Recommendations, reflections, and/or useful links
If you’d like some tips on practicing your French “r” a little more, this short video is amusant (amusing)!
Once you’ve mastered the French “r” you will be ready to confidently order a slew of absolument délicieux (absolutely delicious) r-containing French foods: croissant (don’t pronounce the “i” or the “t”), crèpes (fancy thin pancakes), escargots (snails, usually smothered in a butter & garlic sauce), ratatouille (vegetable stew), tarte au pommes (apple pie), and one of my favorites, croque-monsieur (a variation on grilled cheese that translates to “crunch-mister”)!
And now I’m hungry – Bon Appétit!
Merci!
(Thank you!)
Thank you for reading this newsletter! If you have friends who might enjoy this, please share the link with them!
- Peggy