Parlez-vous Francais?

I suppose you might get the occaisonal Frenchman or woman who may scoff or snicker at your attempts to speak French but, in my opinion, a bigger problem might be that, if your French speaking is halfway-decent, they may feel your comprehension is good and reply in French, leaving you baffled. (Of course, if you understand French better than you speak it, that may not be a problem.)

Since neither my speaking or comprehension is that good, I just always begin by politely inquiring -- in French, not English -- "Bonjour/Bonsoir Monsieur/Madame/Madamoiselle, parlez-vous Anglais?" I may be wrong, but I feel that demonstrates that I care enough about their language to at least ask them that question in their native tongue.

I "took" French in H.S. many years ago (didn't pay attention - our teacher ran off and got married, rather than put up with unruly class!)... have made some attempt to brush up... find that most interactions are a mixup of my unskilled French and English, with the French person's usually humored (nearly always friendly) attempt to help me in French and fair English, with numerous gestures thrown in. In short, learn what you can, try it out with polite humility, ask if they speak English (as advised above). People are nearly always helpful and pleased if you just try.

Many years ago, I learn this opening statement, "Je ne parle pas beaucoup de francais, mais je voundrais......" Translation: "I don't speak much French, but I would like....." and then continue, in your "best" French, with want you want to know
That says it all: You are admitting that you don't speak the language well, but you are trying.
It never failed to draw a smile and/or a cooperative, helpful response!

If I may add something, it will be more important for you to always greet a person with "Bonjour, Messieur/Madame" and a "s'il vous plait" when you ask for something, than any other attempts at French. It is considered rude to approach someone (or walk into an establishment) without a greeting. You will get into this habit, then feel kind of sad back home when you no longer have the need to greet in French (do it anyway if you don't mind the looks!)

You should make the attempt. That will break the ice and make all the difference. As someone else said, when you walk into a shop, say "Bonjour Madame/Monsieur." When you are helped, say "Merci, Madame/Monsieur." When you leave say "Au revoir Madame/Monsieur." That alone wil win you big Brownie points. For pronounciation, there are several websites that allow you to hear the correct pronounciation of basic phrases by native speakers (AOL deep-sixed my 2,000 Favorite Places awhile back, but I think I remember that one of the sites was called Travelang - could be wrong on that one - e-mail me if you can't find it). Pronounciation IS important to the French - they LOVE it when you can say even a few rudimentary phrases with a good command of the accent. They prefer that to a certain fluency with a bad accent, actually (and that's pretty funny because most French people I know who speak English well do so with a very pronounced French accent). But accent is important to them, very important. So my advice would be to learn a few phrases well and be able to sepak them with a good French accent. But the bottom line is, you'll do fine in Paris even if you speak no French at all.
But speaking French will broaden your horizons and make the trip all the more memorable.

By all means, do make the effort to speak French, if only the polite expressions recommended by Alice and StCirq. But, the more you know the more you will enjoy your stay in France. You say that you are trying to learn some French. If you are taking a class or have bought some tapes this may be a bit elementary for you but if you just want to increase your vocabulary a bit it might help. It's from an earlier post of mine to someone who was trying to create a "cheat sheat."

You might want to check this site: http://french.miningco.com/library/begin/bl_begin_vocab.htm
Click on "Food" or any other major subject and it will then give you several categories with translation. You could copy and paste several lists on one sheet. And it also gives you the pronunciation if you have Realplayer.

Don't be afraid to use what you've learned. I'm sure that in most cases you will discover that it really "works." And if, on occasion, it doesn't, well, at least you will have tried and shown that you have an interest in French language and culture and that will be appreciated.

I lived in Paris a few years ago (sigh!), and had friends and family with varying levels of French visit.

Without exception, the responses they received were very friendly - I never, ever saw anyone being treated with disdain for a bad accent.

My experience is that French people's pleasure that you've made the effort far outweights any negative thoughts they may have about your accent. If they rattle off a reply that you don't understand, you can always apologize and either ask them to repeat it slowly or if they wouldn't mind saying it in English.

I also concur with the recommendations for politesse. A little will go a long way in making your trip more enjoyable - both for you AND for the French people you encounter!

Hi Trying, I took some French in high school and college and was miserable at trying to perfect the accent. I have made an effort(as St. Cirq has recommended) to improve my accent....and I have been rewarded!
In CDG, airport in August, I was in a wine store there, and was browsing the racks. A French employee, greeted with me a lovely "Bonjour" and I replied with my much improved accent, and he started a great converstion in French..... so I just smiled and said "je ne comprends pas", and he very sweetly switched to lovely English. I agree, that at least trying to master a few phrases, is the way to go, IMO.
Judy ps. I was very proud of his reaction to my French.....it made my day!!!!

Oops, just noticed I misspelled a word in yesterday's posting. The word should be "voudrais," not "voundrais." Sorry.

Salut Trying!

Check out

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/languages/french/index.shtml

Video, audio, transcripts, other fun & useful stuff. Essayer, c'est meilleur je crois . . . !
Have fun
T

St. Cirq is so right! Always say "Bonjour, Madame(Monsieur)" as you walk into a shop (but don't interrupt until they finish with a customer). This will improve your standing with the salesclerk. Even if that is the only phrase you know, or if your pronunciation is poor, most salesclerks will respond "Bonjour" in a friendly manner and then launch into English right away! You won't embarrass yourself or insult anyone by trying out other phrases. I remember a wonderful conversation in French with a Parisian lady on a cruise boat down the Rhine river She complimented me on my French and it encouraged me to keep practicing.

All good tips here. My one big Rule of Thumb...the first phrase you should learn in any language is "Pardon me, do you speak English?" Make sure you get this one down cold.

Oui, je parle le francais un peu. Parlez-vouse anglais?
I took French in HS, had an awful teacher my last year and gave it up. In my 6 trips to France, I am amazed at 1. how much has come back to me and 2. how I am actually able to communicate in French. I did great last year in Burgundy at small vineyards where the owners spoke basically no English, and in the Alps asking for directions when we got lost. My husband looked at me and said so hot shot do you have any idea what they said. And I did!!!!!!
Make the attempt is my motto, basic niceties get you a long way. Yes, Please, Hello, Goodbye (Oui, s'il vous plait, bonjour, au revoir) break the ice every time, and make people more appreciative.

My French is so-so, my accent is so-so; both get better the more I speak French, so I try to as much as possible.

I stayed in a very non-tourist neighborhood in Paris last year, and went into the "best" (per my landlord) bakery in the neighborhood to get a baguette and pain chocolat (protecting my blood circulation, you realize). When I bonjoured madame, she gave me such a startled look (heck, I was dressed in sleek black so she couldn't imagine I wasn't Parisienne) when she heard my accent...but the next day when I went back, she SMILED at me and bonjoured me first. From this I gathered that 1) my accent wasn't as bad as I thought, though still clearly American; 2) I must have been an anecdote at her dinner table the night before and 3) your pronunciation won't get better just by thinking the words; you have to say them.

What is it with language teachers? I took Spanish in HS, and it was all we could do to make it through the class by asking Mr. Tamerlane if we could "sing" so he'd put on the tape recorder or record and the lyrics on a transparency projector.

Learing a little French on my own. Thanks for all the input.

As StCirq said, you'll score major points by simply saying polite phrases, like "Bonjour M/M", "Merci M/M", and "Au revoir M/M".

And, as Alice said, you'll get into this habit (hopefully!). I especially love the cheerful, almost lilting way, French people say "Bonjour" and really miss that when I return home.

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how much better your language skills get after a couple(few) glasses of wine?! My Italiano improves immensely! : )

Yes, all good advice. The first time I visited France I spoke no French, but learned just a few courteous phrases from a Berlitz guide. It really does go a long way. I think it's important to make an effort to learn at least SOME phrases whenever you visit a foreign land. It shows that you respect and admire their language/culture. Also, I agree with GRASSHOPPER, red wine improves my accent tremendously! You will have a wonderful time. France is gorgeous!

Travelgirl raised a good point...
it IS actually easier to pick up a foreign language through music/lyrics..and more fun!
My ex (Brazilian) knew NO English when he came to the US.. his first phrase?
"I wanna hold your hand" A Spanish friend picked up his first English from the Beatles as well...
Obviously this has some pitfalls..you'd better know what you're REALLY saying..lol.. My first brush with French was.. the Singing Nun.. (uh oh how OLD am I??) Seriously though..listening is the first step in acquiring language skills; you pick up the patterns...think of all the useless English commercial jingles that keep going around in your head??!
Before I stop I'll just say that I lived in Spain years ago and traveled a bit since and found that most people anywhere respond to courtesy, honest effort and a Smile.
=)