Thomas Maguire
Manuel des difficultés les plus communes de la langue française, adapté au jeune âge et suivi d'un recueil de locutions vicieuses
"Manuel des difficultés les plus communes de la langue française, adapté au jeune âge" by Thomas Maguire is an educational guide written in the early 19th century. This manual aims to address common challenges faced by learners of the French language, particularly within the context of Canadian grammar and language use. It serves as a resource for students, providing insights and clarifications on grammatical rules and linguistic expressions. The opening of the text establishes the author's intention to compile necessary linguistic resources for schools, pointing out a gap in the availability of such materials in Canada compared to Europe. It outlines the sources used for this compilation, notably well-known grammars and dictionaries, emphasizing the need to correct frequent language errors among students. The author creates a lexicon of common difficulties and notes the inclusion of a collection of incorrect phrases to improve language accuracy, underscoring the book’s educational purpose. This introduction sets the tone for a structured, informative work aimed at enhancing the understanding and usage of French among young learners.