French West Indies
1
5.0
- proper noun
:
Indias Occidentales Francesas
- Many delicious dishes are inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the French West Indies.
- Guadeloupe in the French West Indies
Examples
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When Hearn himself wanted to leave New Orleans and go to the French West Indies, he did so through New York (Rothman 271).
Academic text (2018) -
This article traces the marginalization of Haitians living in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, and the forms of subjectivity that they elaborate as a response.
Academic text (2003) -
The breathtaking beaches of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies attract tourists from all over the world.
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Every summer, my family visits our relatives in the French West Indies, enjoying the warm weather and vibrant culture.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the West Indies islands that are French' is directly derived from combining 'French' (relating to France) with the place-name 'West Indies'. Although 'Indies' is an older geographic term, the adjective + place-name composition is transparent and cross-linguistically recognisable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would understand it refers to French territories in the Caribbean.
Etymology
French West Indies comes from the older name West Indies, which early sailors used when they thought they had reached 'India' while sailing west and instead found the Caribbean islands. The word French was added for the islands run by France, so today French West Indies means the group of Caribbean islands that are controlled by France.