You may not believe it, but when we decided to move to France being fluent in French wasn’t one of our considerations. I know enough French to get by, but living here helps embed what I know, along with learning new bits as I go too.
I don’t know about you but in the UK learning other languages, though part of the school curriculum, doesn’t seem to be a natural cultural thing to do. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of fantastic translators and of course, being a multicultural society, plenty of other languages spoken, but to be fluent in anything other than the Queen’s English doesn’t seem to be a natural inclination and I still find that odd.
I can’t speak for any of the other English-speaking nations (and don’t get me started on the amazing differences of a common language), but I wonder if it’s subconsciously assumed that everyone should speak English? Is it me or does that seem kind of arrogant and assumptive?
Anyway for whatever reason, though I did OK in French at school, my language skills in anything other than UK English are a bit limited, so I was pleased with myself the other day when I managed to drop a tiny bit of small talk into a conversation with a regular delivery driver.
When it comes to speaking French, I can plan what to say; I can even wing it if the direction of the conversation has purpose – you can usually find some words to make the sentence work and get your meaning over, but to just throw in a chatty bit of banter? For me that’s unheard of! My brain is obviously starting to play catch up.
So that's my achievement for the week. I'm 'well chuffed', as they say in the UK. One happy bunny. Do you speak any languages other than your native tongue?
I don’t know about you but in the UK learning other languages, though part of the school curriculum, doesn’t seem to be a natural cultural thing to do. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of fantastic translators and of course, being a multicultural society, plenty of other languages spoken, but to be fluent in anything other than the Queen’s English doesn’t seem to be a natural inclination and I still find that odd.
I can’t speak for any of the other English-speaking nations (and don’t get me started on the amazing differences of a common language), but I wonder if it’s subconsciously assumed that everyone should speak English? Is it me or does that seem kind of arrogant and assumptive?
Anyway for whatever reason, though I did OK in French at school, my language skills in anything other than UK English are a bit limited, so I was pleased with myself the other day when I managed to drop a tiny bit of small talk into a conversation with a regular delivery driver.
When it comes to speaking French, I can plan what to say; I can even wing it if the direction of the conversation has purpose – you can usually find some words to make the sentence work and get your meaning over, but to just throw in a chatty bit of banter? For me that’s unheard of! My brain is obviously starting to play catch up.
So that's my achievement for the week. I'm 'well chuffed', as they say in the UK. One happy bunny. Do you speak any languages other than your native tongue?
Dreya B
&DreyaB
4 months ago
&ReverandG Thanks so much! It must be so much easier to learn multiple languages when you're small - sounds like a good idea with your grandson. It still amazes me how much French I can still drag up from my school days! :0)
Glenda Motsavage
&ReverandG
4 months ago
I live in Poinciana, Florida, where there are a plethora of Nations represented — mine being the minority! Every day for the past 14 years I have wished I could be multi-lingual! I recently wrote a Hub/Lens called 'Bilingual Babies,' about my new grandson being raised bilingual. All the best to you, and I forecast that you'll be fluent in French in little time. That's fascinating!
Dreya B
&DreyaB
4 months ago
&BritFlorida I'm with you there Jackie, Yorkshire is still my first language! :0)
Jackie Jackson
&BritFlorida
4 months ago
Oh yes. Like most people I did French at at school but Yorkshire is my first language. English is my second and I am slowly learning American :)
Dreya B
&DreyaB
5 months ago
&CherylFay We did German in school Cheryl, but I'm desperately trying to forget it as it gets confused with my French as I learned them both at the same time! :0) I used to think I was better at German than French, I found it easier but I'm hanging on to the French now. I should look into my family history - that would be really interesting...
Cheryl Mikesell
&CherylFay
5 months ago
Nope only English. I always wanted to learn German. It's part of my heritage but I never learned. My Dad use to recite the Psalms 23 in German to me when I was little.
Dreya B
&DreyaB
5 months ago
&nightcats I admire those people too June. ;0) I'm getting better but I wish I could just download fluency into my brain!
&nightcats
5 months ago
I speak only one language and have always admired those who speak two or more.
Dreya B
&DreyaB
5 months ago
&abitosunshine Spanish was only available to us to learn after we'd mastered French and German at school Ruth! I was never that good; two languages was more than enough for me at that time. At least I can get by here and am learning all the time. :0)
Ruth Cox
&abitosunshine
5 months ago
Other than American English, I took a year of Spanish in Junior High School, which I remember most of and have added a few more words along the way. If I were to travel to another country, yes I would want to learn the language enough to get by.
Dreya B
&DreyaB
5 months ago
&Raintree Thank you! I'm very pleased I have to admit. ;0) And planned phrases are always on hand for new situations, though I am remembering more of the regular sentences now and just stand a better chance overall. When we went to Italy I had a go but the other half was better at Italian than me - here it's the other way round. :0)
Dreya B
&DreyaB
5 months ago
&Brite-Ideas It sounds like you may do better here than me Barbara! Is that family connection French France or French Canadian? I'm most certainly not fluent, but I am improving. :0)
Dreya B
&DreyaB
5 months ago
&smine27 Well the words for foods in French are the most important Shinichi! ;0) I did French and German too at school, but I'm desperately trying to forget the German and not get it confused with the French now! I think being able to speak more than one language fluently is amazing - and Japanese I can't even begin to imagine... :0)
&Raintree
5 months ago
I leaned French and German in school but I am so very rusty now not having travelled to use it for a good while. For me I learn best being in the country and having a go with a few planned phrases standing by! I do like to try whatever country I am in to say at least a few things. However I do find it harder to understand sometimes -as you say when people talk really fast my language brain has to catch up ! You should be "chuffed" with yourself :)
Barbara
&Brite-Ideas
5 months ago
Just about everyone in my family speaks french - my background is a great percentage french so we grew up with it - I'm not fluent because we moved around a lot when I was little so we got away from it
Shinichi
&smine27
5 months ago
I tried learning French and German but alas never became fluent enough to communicate properly. I did however learn and remember most of the words related to food! haha. I speak English and Japanese fluently but that's it.
Dreya B
&DreyaB
5 months ago
&stereomike83 I know what you mean Mike. I didn't even go as far as A level, but I have a good memory so things do keep popping back! Even after 20+ years!! But you're right, reading can be easier, it gives you time to think, with the speaking you have to pick out words you know and fit them into a meaning - pretty tricky when the French can speak so fast sometimes. I'm fairly immersed... ;0)
Mike H
&stereomike83
5 months ago
I did French through to A level but that was well over 10yrs ago now so would be very rusty! I tend to be able to read much better than I can speak as have time to work out what words mean in context. I sometimes wish I could get immersed in the language to bring it all back!