débarrassé de toutes les modes

14:46 Aug 11, 2008 

B D, I agree that as a written text the punctuation barely supports the adjectival reading. However, as was mentioned in Karen's earlier related question, there is the issue that this is a transcription of unscripted speech, and may contain discontinuities of thought and structure which cannot be very easily represented in writing: all of which reinforces the need for a native speaker's view.

16:16 Aug 9, 2008 

If the phrase relates back to the "discours", then the plain "je dis" and the lack of anything more than a comma before "convaincant" seems awkward. I still find it easier to read as adverbial, though I can read it the other way. It would certainly be helpful to have some native French speakers' thoughts on this.

11:04 Aug 9, 2008 

There seem to be two ways to read the grammatical structure, and hence the meaning: does the term qualify 'le discours' (as an adjectival phrase), or 'je dis' (as an adverbial phrase)? I think -- as with your earlier "dussé-je" -- it would be invaluable to have a native speaker's reaction.

08:16 Aug 9, 2008 

The writer has the 3 elements of the French expression : clair, NET et précis. The NET bit comes last here, detached, as débarrassé so maybe Kari's straightforward is best.