Jacques Tati

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A French filmmaker and actor known for funny visual films that use sound in clever ways

proper noun
/ʒɑk tɑːti/

: Jacques Tati

Jacques Tati's masterpiece 'Playtime' is studied in film schools around the world.

Examples

The films of Jacques Tati are celebrated for their visual humor and inventive sound design.
Many critics consider Jacques Tati one of the greatest comic auteurs of the twentieth century.
Did you watch Jacques Tati's film?
Jacques Tati was a genius.
Jacques Tati's films are known for their unique blend of slapstick comedy and visual storytelling.
Many film enthusiasts admire Jacques Tati for his playful approach to cinema and innovative directing style.
The influence of Jacques Tati on modern comedy is widely recognized by filmmakers and critics alike.

Surface Forms

Jacques Tati main

Morphology

Jacques + Tati

This is a proper name referring to a specific individual (the French filmmaker Jacques Tati); knowing the constituent name tokens 'Jacques' and 'Tati' does not allow a B1 learner to infer the biographical meaning 'French filmmaker' unless they already know the person. Proper nouns are referential and non-compositional, so the overall meaning cannot be derived from the parts.

Etymology

Jacques Tati made quiet, visual films where his shy character Monsieur Hulot walks through modern places and causes small, funny problems. That's why his name now brings to mind 'playful visual comedy' and clever use of sound effects.