Question 1

Why is it que and not qui before les neurones?

Accepted Answer

Even though les neurones are doing the sending, que represents the direct object receiving the action (the signals). In French, qui acts as the subject of the relative clause, while que acts as the direct object. Since les neurones is already the subject of the verb envoient, we must use que.

Question 2

Does traite usually translate to "processes"?

Accepted Answer

In scientific or computing contexts, yes. Traiter is the standard French verb for processing data, signals, or information. In other contexts, it often means "to treat" (a disease, a person, or a topic) or "to deal with" an issue.

Question 3

Why is the verb spelled envoient instead of envoyent?

Accepted Answer

The verb envoyer (to send) undergoes a stem change. For most verbs ending in -yer, the y changes to an i whenever it is followed by a silent -e, -es, or -ent. That is why we write ils envoient but keep the "y" for nous envoyons.

Question 4

How could I use this sentence with the de même que structure taught in this lesson?

Accepted Answer

You can use this factual statement as the first half of an elegant parallel comparison. Because de même que takes the indicative mood, no changes to the verb are needed. You simply place it at the start: De même que le cerveau traite les signaux, de même l'ordinateur traite les données (Just as the brain processes signals, so the computer processes data).

Le cerveau traite les signaux que les neurones envoient.

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