Who you would be in France? - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Who you would be in France?", is a classic example of crossword wordplay that hinges on a language switch. The question mark at the end is a crucial signal, telling solvers to think outside the box and not take the phrase at face value. It's a delightful little puzzle that combines basic foreign language knowledge with a clever pun.

Clue Analysis

Let's break down the components of this clue:

• "Who...": This directs us toward a person or, more abstractly, a pronoun representing a person.
• "...you would be...": This is the core phrase, but it's not asking for your identity or profession.
• "...in France?": This is the key that unlocks the puzzle. It tells us to shift our thinking from English to French.
• The Question Mark (?): This is the universal crossword symbol for "Warning: Puns or trickery ahead!" It confirms that the clue is not literal.

Putting it all together, the clue isn't asking what kind of person you would be in France. It's asking for the French word for the pronoun "you".

Thinking Approaches

A seasoned solver might recognize this pattern immediately. Here's a step-by-step process for arriving at the answer:

1. Spot the Signal: The first thing to notice is the question mark. This immediately primes you to look for a non-literal meaning.
2. Identify the Gimmick: The phrase "in France" is the most specific part of the clue. This strongly suggests the answer is a French word.
3. Translate the Core Idea: The clue is built around the word "you". The puzzle is asking for the French equivalent of "you".
4. Recall the Options: If you have some basic French knowledge, you'll know there are two common ways to say "you": tu (informal, singular) and vous (formal/plural).
5. Check the Grid: At this point, you'd look at the number of letters required by the grid and any crossing letters you've already filled in. The answer is a four-letter word, which points directly to one of these options.

Background Context

In French, as in many other Romance languages, there is a concept known as the T-V distinction, which governs the choice of pronoun for "you".

• Tu: This is the informal, singular "you". It's used when speaking to a single person you know well, like a friend, a family member, or a child. Using tu implies familiarity and closeness.
• Vous: This pronoun serves two main purposes. It is the formal, singular "you", used when addressing a stranger, an elder, a superior, or anyone to whom you wish to show respect. It is also the plural "you", used when addressing any group of two or more people, regardless of formality.

This clue plays on this fundamental aspect of the French language, making it a neat piece of linguistic trivia.

Conclusion

The clue "Who you would be in France?" is a well-crafted piece of misdirection. It cleverly disguises a simple translation request as a philosophical question. By recognizing the wordplay signaled by the question mark and the geographical cue, solvers can quickly decipher the puzzle's intent and arrive at a satisfying "aha!" moment.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The clue is a play on words involving a foreign language.
2. Hint 2: The answer is a pronoun in French.
3. Hint 3: It's the formal or plural way to say "you" in French.
4. Hint 4: It's the counterpart to the informal "tu".