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Speaking French part 1

It is an interesting phenomenon to speak a language every day that is not your native tongue. I have studied French for a number of years: rwo years in high school, a year and a half in college, numerous weekend immersions and most recently, 6 weeks at the Alliance Française in Paris. I do enjoy doing it, don't get me wrong, but it can be a frustrating experience. At best I would rank myself at the intermediate level.

There are times the language is flowing and I think things are going well. I have a number of friends with whom I only speak French. It is very rewarding to think I have mastered a language enough (is it ever enough?) to communicate and even throw in a joke or two. Then I think I have said something profound or insightful and I receive blank looks in return. Then, since I have already said this, I need to find another way to say it so they understand. Usually I water down what I was saying just to get them to understand something.

Some things just don't translate. For instance, I had been trying to find a translation for some English catch phrases we all use. For instance at a meal, someone will ask if you want anything more to eat. In English you would say, "I'm good" or "I'm done" but there is no French equivalent. I tried. I figured there had to be something like this, since it is a fairly normal response to a repeated question, but each person I asked looked blank and tried to come up with something. "No. Thank you." "I am fine right now, thank you." Even "No more" is not really something you say here.

Also, you can get the subtleties wrong by mispronouncing something. This is the same in English as well. For instance, Helmut has a house in the country that is a Mill. Quite often he says he wants to go to the "Meal" or the "Mile". Very different. In French, the word for "Job" and "sea snails" are different only by a tight or loose "U" sound. Yes, the comic opportunities are endless.

Some random observations: People really do say "Oo la la!." Really. And I enjoy explaining to the French that in America, "a la mode" means with ice cream. (It really means "in the current style").

There is a whole language of responding to questions with facial expressions or blowing air. For instance, if someone asks you if you like something, it is appropriate to make a "mmm" sound and shift your head back and forth, meaning, "Well, maybe yes, maybe no." If you don't care for something or someone (like a politician) it is appropriate to answer with a scrunching up of your face and "Pfft."

But remember, I am still getting my bearings here. There is much more to discover.

Comments

  1. Ida AbelsonNovember 25, 2014 at 9:49 PM

    A friend and her husband were visiting Paris. They were eating in a restaurant and the waiter asked her if she wanted anything else. Since she was "stuffed" (try translating that!) she replied "Je suis plein" at which point the waiter gave them both his hearty congratulations!

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