on parle francais ici (they speak french here)

I'm not sure if you know this, but when we visited Paris two years ago, Christopher did not speak very much French at all.  At the patisserie, he would point at what he wanted and say, "Une," or "One."  Four  months ago, he started following the online Mango French lessons through our local library, and then he enrolled in two French classes through the College of William and Mary.  I am proud to say that he communicates quite well here now.


I took 6 years of French in junior high and high school.  Madame Wendorff and Madame Picciotto were really great teachers!  Over the years, when I'd listen to music, I'd ofen translate the lyrics into French in my head as a way to maintain my proficiency.  I think it worked, because I remember a lot of my French and the daily practice here reinforces a lot of what I already know.


French Names.  Remember in school how you could pick your own French name for the rest of the year?  I spent a year as Lisette.  I was a Renée once.  I remember that Marie-Elise was a very popular name one year.  I toyed with the idea of picking a new French name for myself for the next 8 months.  What do you think of Sandrine?  Anyway, as it turns out, they pronounce the name Heather here so creatively that it almost feels as though I do have a new French name.  Christopher goes by "Christophe" here and if you want to say "Gaius" like a frenchman, you say "Guy-oose!"


When Christopher and I are out and about around town, we speak only French.  When people offer to speak English to Christopher, he always declines.  He's right when he says he will learn faster if he speaks only French.  I, on the other hand often take the helping hand and switch the conversation to English.  I guess I'm not so hard core.


As far as accents go, Christopher is "le roi" (king).  To my untrained ear, his accent sounds totally authentic.  I speak French with a totally American accent.  I actually feel kind of silly if I try to mimic the French accent.  It's okay though because I can get my point across.


Here are some fun facts about the French language and speaking in daily life:


Only say "bonjour" to a person the first time you see him/her during the day.  If you continue to say "bonjour" to them each time you pass them in the hallway (or on the street), it sounds (to them) kind of ridiculous.  What you can say, instead of "bonjour" when you see them the second or third time is, "Beaucoup" (a lot).  Brilliant!  (I got this factoid from Christopher.)


"Tout droit" and "à droit" mean two different things.  When asking for directions, keep this in mind.  One means go straight through, the other means turn right.


Not as life altering, but good to know in a dessert or jamba juice situation, "ananas" is pineapple and "banane" is banana.

Have a great weekend!

à bientôt!