Je parle mieux que lui

I got a call from the woman at the Mairie (city hall) yesterday.  She was trying to tell me something about my Carte de Sejour (residency permit.)  Unfortunately, I didn't understand her very well.  When I asked for clarification, she said, "Never mind.  I'll call your husband.  He speaks better French than you do."  WHAT?

Same thing from Gaius' teacher.  When Gaius first started school, it was a bit of an adjustment.  His teacher asked if Christopher and I could come in for a little chat.  Sure, no problem.  When we got to the meeting, this is what she said.  "I wanted to have both you and your husband here because I think that maybe your husband's French is a little bit better than yours."  HUH?

IT'S THE ACCENT, PEOPLE!  It's true.  Christopher has a fantastic French accent.  But let me just make it clear, here and now:  I speak better French than he does.  Although he is gaining on me.

Christopher has been learning French only for about 6 months.  In that short amount of time, he has learned a lot.  When we are out and about the town, Christopher speaks only French.  No one ever thinks that Christopher is an American.  Maybe it's the striped shirts.  No, strike that.  It's the accent.

see how he blends in?

Christopher's accent may be good, but it's Gaius who has the best French accent.  Everything he learns at school is spoken with a perfect French accent.  All the French he learns at home sounds like crap.

So, to set the record straight:

BEST FRENCH ACCENT:  Gaius
BEST AT TYPING FRENCH ACCENTS:  Christopher
BEST FRENCH SPEAKER: Yours Truly

à bientôt