27 April 2026 · The Guardian
Astronaut's French Greeting in Space
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen spoke French in space, promoting the language after a recent controversy involving Air Canada’s CEO. His words helped heal tensions related to language in Canada.
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Narration includes the headline and summary.
Adapted from The Guardian, 19 April 2026, and rewritten at three levels by Newslish. Newslish is not affiliated with the source. Read the original.
Key vocabulary
astronaut
a person trained to travel in space
“The astronaut floated in zero gravity.”
greet
to say hello to someone
“She waved to greet her friend.”
controversy
a disagreement or argument about something
“The new law caused a lot of controversy.”
tension
stress or strain in a situation
“There was tension in the room during the debate.”
heal
to make something better or to recover
“Time can help heal emotional wounds.”
Quick quiz
01What language did Jeremy Hansen speak in space?
02What was the reason for the controversy involving Air Canada’s CEO?
03What did Hansen's decision to speak French help to do?
04What historic event did Hansen's French greeting represent?
Discussion
How does language influence national identity and culture?