French (language)

French (Francais) (TV: The Underwater Menace) was a language that originated in France. "Allons-y!", a catchphrase of the Tenth Doctor, was French for "let's go!" (TV: Midnight)

For unclear reasons, it was a "universal language" in Earth and Gallifrey's galaxy; Susan Foreman once noted that it was impossible for a tourist to get by in a system such as Alpha Centauri without having at least a smattering of French. During her education on Gallifrey, Susan wasn't very good at French, which was one of the reasons the Doctor decided to take her to Earth after they left the planet. (AUDIO: Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman ^[+]Loading...["Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman (audio story)"]) Indeed, Susan went on to study French at Coal Hill School. Her teacher, Mademoiselle Quelou, said that Susan's French sounded like it came out of the Middle Ages; Susan confused French with Latin. (PROSE: Time and Relative ^[+]Loading...["Time and Relative (novel)"])

Polly Wright could speak French. (TV: The Underwater Menace)

Liz Shaw could speak French to at least a reasonable level of proficiency. (TV: The Ambassadors of Death)

Cassandra O'Brien spoke some French. (TV: New Earth)

Mickey Smith was surprised to find that the TARDIS' translation circuit also translated French. (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace)

Christina de Souza answered the Tenth Doctor's "Allons-y!" catchphrase with "Oui, mais pas si nous allons vers un cauchemar", which translates as "Yes, but not if we're going toward a nightmare" in French. This pleased the Doctor, and led him to remark on how compatible their personalities were. (TV: Planet of the Dead)

While on a planet controlled by the War Lords, the TARDIS translation circuit did not translate French. (TV: The War Games) At another time, the translation circuit did not translate posters written in French. (TV: Vincent and the Doctor)

The Eighth Doctor spoke French to Fitz Kreiner, who was affecting a French accent, saying, "On peut apprendre d'un grand homme même lorsqu'il se tait". (PROSE: The Taint)

This phrase translates to English as "There is something to be learned from a great man even when he is silent."

The Eighth Doctor's companion Anji Kapoor spoke French. (PROSE: Escape Velocity)

"Le Mur" was French for "the Wall". The Seventh Doctor explained this after Chief Inspector Patrick Mullen misnamed Le Mur Engineering as "Lemur Engineering", which the Doctor thought was an odd name for an English company. "Le Mur" made more sense, given the presence of a Mr Wall. (PROSE: Illegal Alien)

Contacting a fellow Slitheen operative stationed in Paris, Glune Fex Fize Sharlaveer-Slam Slitheen exclaimed "Dormez bien, Paris." (TV: Revenge of the Slitheen)

Luke Smith spoke French perfectly. He told Clyde Langer in French that he had divided his forces on a video game about the Battle of Waterloo. Clyde however, couldn't understand it. (PROSE: The Last Sontaran)

Flip Jackson's school did not allow her to take her French GCSE exam. (AUDIO: The Curse of Davros)

Behind the scenes

In GAME: The Last Dalek, the Ninth Doctor exclaims "en gaurde" ("on guard") before engaging the "Metaltron".