"There's Only One Way to Speak French!"

As I began today's post, I wondered if I should set up a category called "Soapbox", because I realized that I had a HUGE point that I wanted to make here with my photo and my story.  You've seen almost the same photo before.  I've placed this one on the right today instead of on the left, the lips are further back and the reflections are stronger. 

I struggle with my French.  I go to my two classes a week and I speak as much as I can and as often as I can.  However, I work in English.  Nothing will shut me up faster, than being corrected in front of a crowd of people or being corrected by the same people every time I see them.  I believe it's rude to correct people in front of others and if all you do is correct my French, I don't have time to sort out if you are speaking to me or correcting me and I'm lost.  I was in a car with some people one evening.  On our way through Cajarc, the driver asked me which patisserie was my favorite? I told the driver "Roux" and pronounced it "Rooks" not "roo" and was immediately told that I was incorrect. Not only was I incorrect, but that I really needed to learn to speak French the right way! (This was after an evening of the same person correcting my pronunciation every time I opened my mouth.) It takes a lot to get me angry, but on that note I explained as politely as I could that: "the Notaire of our area spells his name "Roux" and told me that he pronounces it "Rooks".  I believe that it is his name and if that is the way he pronounces it and that is the way it is pronounced in the valley, then that is the way I will pronounce it.  I live in the Lot, I will do my best to pronounce my French so the people who I share this valley with will understand me!" That was the end of that conversation.  And, I doubt that there will be any more. 

I do my very best to try to laugh and keep moving with situations like this.  I recently ran into confusion in the grocery store one day with my loaf of French Bread.  A young man came up and asked me if I could tell him where the "Ping" was?  I looked at him a little puzzled, when he picked up my loaf of French Bread.  We chuckled together and I directed him to the very first aisle by the entrance.  The word for bread in French is "pain"...some pronounce it "pan", but the locals pronounce many words with "ain" as "ing".  I've learned that in French, as in life...there is no one way.  I hope that as I continue on this journey, I am able to revel in our differences knowing that there is no one way-especially if the one way is only "my" way.  All I have to do is think about rooing the rookses and pinging pan, and I can laugh, let go and move on with our wonderful life in this valley.

Comments

[Laury Bourgeois]

You're very welcome! And the same goes if you or you and the family are ever this way. I'm usually just passing through Paris these days, but will let you know! The Thomas Wolfe Society is having their annual meeting there at the end of May-I had hoped to go on the tail end of my trip to the states but now I'm leaving out of Toulouse and staying past the time of the meeting-Oh well-next year-but it's in Greenville South Carolina-not Paris!

[Isabelle]

Thank you so much for the invitation Laury! That could be great fun... Unfortunately September is not an easy month for French mothers, with back to school and everything that goes with it.
But if you are thinking of coming to Paris any time, please let me know :)

[Laury Bourgeois]

I'm getting better at this...no-it wasn't the American I told you about, Evelyn! Another story for the terrace and a bottle of Cahors-Isabelle-maybe you should join us if you can!

[Evelyn Jackson]

Hi Isabelle and Laury...Maybe I'll get to Paris in Sept. when I'm there and meet your for lunch, Isabelle! Laury...was your 'corrector' the American woman you told me about? If so, I understand why you were upset. I think she might not have had the good intentions that Isabelle talks about. Wait 'til I get there...you can correct my bad French! It'll make you feel better!

[Laury Bourgeois]

I understand about all that mixing-and the English English and the American English-spelling, pronounciation, and evening meanings between the 2 can be a nightmare. I'm often getting translations of English English from my friends here! I often get that deer in the headlights look with both French and English English!

Take care-Laury

[Isabelle]

Unfortunately I'm not very proud of my pronounciation... My accent is an awful mix of British English (in France we learn British English and not American English), American English (due to my numerous trips to the US), and French!!! All these accents mix in my brain and I'm sometimes completely lost on how to say some words!

I live in France, about 30 minutes West of Paris, near Versailles.
My husband has been living in France for 17 years now, and we speak French all the time (so it means that our 2 kids are learning English at school...).

A bientôt,
Isabelle

[Laury Bourgeois]

Thanks for your feedback Isabelle. From your response, it looks like your written English is "parfait"-and I'd imagine your pronounciation is too! Are you living in France or in the states?

[Isabelle]

There are A LOT of different accents in France, and the one from the Lot is far from being the easiest to understand, even for the French...

In general, accents from the South tend to put an emphasis on the last letters, it almost sounds like people are singing!

I don't agree with you or Evelyn (hi Evelyn, how are you?) on not being corrected when you don't say the words properly. I know it can be tiring to be corrected every few words, but it's the only way to learn how to say the words correctly...

I'm French and my husband is American, and when I speak English with my in-laws for example, they never correct me, whereas there are some words I know I don't say correctly. I feel stupid, because I know it's not the way to say the word properly, and they don't help me...

Keep your patience, people don't mean to be rude, they are just helping ;)

[Evelyn Jackson]

I think they add the 'ing' sound to those words in Provence as well. My French is so poor that I can't even tell the difference! I agree that unless you specifically ask someone for help, they should not correct you. It's rude.