Can anyone suggest a SMALL, POCKET-SIZE booklet of French phrases I can take on our upcoming trip to Paris?? Can't speak a lick of French and would like to be able to ask directions, order from a menu, etc. Only the simple stuff to get us around. Thanks!

Hi Diane: <BR>I bought a book in Barnes and Noble called Just Enough French. It is pocket sized and sounds everything out for you. Good for every situation. though I found that basics like Bonjour, Merci and Bon Soir worked fine and most people speak at least a bit of English. If they don't do not be concerned. A bit of politeness and patience go far. Have a great time!

I like the Rick Steves phrasebooks. They're organized in categories such as eating, sleeping, shopping, etc. and have entire phrases, rather than individual words. It's also got a pretty good "menu decoder."

Fodors has a great guide-every word en Francais (an fransay) is phoenetically sounded out for you.

Before I left for Paris, I bought the berlitz pocket phrase book. It came with a CD so it helped me get a little used to the language. Have fun.

Diane, <BR> <BR>I used the "Pocket French" book while I was in Paris. However, depending on your level of French, I may advise AGAINST speaking French. <BR> <BR>I personally can't speak French. I found that when I attempted to speak French, people were inclined to respond in kind in French, including those who do speak English. This caused delays and numerous other communication problems as you may well imagine. Therefore, if you are in a touristy area, be one of those "loud-speaking & dumb" American and try English. I found that it was easier for everyone. <BR> <BR>

BUT if you decide to speak in English, you should always begin your conversations with "Parlez-vous anglais?" at which point the person will answer in English or you should take out your phrasebook. Phrasebooks should be used in conjuntion with lots of pointing and hand signals.

Diane, <BR>If you speak no French, I would suggest you limit yourself to learning a few basic phrases, "Please", <BR>"Thank you", "I do not speak French", "Do you speak English?", "Good morning, (afternoon, evening"). Pick up a phrase book in your library and photocopy the sections dealing with foods and menu items to serve as a resource when dining. One of the great fallacies regarding phrase books is that while you may become semi-competent in phrasing a question, invariably you'll have little success in understanding the answer you'll receive. Better to make it clear early on that you're only comfortable conversing in English. Odds are that you'll be dealing with Parisians who are engaged in the tourism industry; most speak English.

Dear Diane: <BR> <BR>The best French food and menu guide is called "The A-Z of French Food (Dictionnaire Gastronomique Francais-Anglais)published by Editiones Scribo. This slim, pocket-size book is many, many, many times better than the pathetically limited lists of foods and cooking terms in general phrase books. I have never seen this for sale in the US, but I picked up my copy at the W.M.Smith & Son English language bookstore at 248 Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Since this is across the street from the Louvre, it's almost certain that you will be in the neighborhood. <BR> <BR>"Signposts French" by Edith Baer and Margaret Wightman (Cambridge University Press)is a thin paperback which I think I did buy in the US. It features hundreds of photos of actual French signs (traffic, directional, Metro, train station, shops, etc..) with appropriate translations. This is invaluable if you plan to drive in France, but will also be a great help in getting around on foot and public transportation. <BR> <BR>Although a good phrase book is helpful, and it does make a difference if you at least ATTEMPT to address the French in their language before switching to English, you might also consider reading a book or two about French social practices (such as "Culture Shock!France" available at many public libraries). Understanding certain cultural nuances (it's curt to say just "Bonjour"; polite custom in France dictates "Bonjour, Madame" or "Bonjour, Monsieur") can go a long way to earning people's goodwill. <BR> <BR>I'm sure that the reason we were treated with almost universal politeness in France is because we had some <BR>understanding of cultural expectations and always at least TRIED to speak French first. As fractured as our French was, this showed the French people that we respected them, their language, and their country, and we were treated with courtesy in return. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip!

Please, please, please... Rather than starting right off in English and assuming that the person you are speaking with will understand you, practice how to say something like - Excuse me, I am American and do not speak French. Do you speak English? - Believe me, you'll find a better result than if you just go on in English without even trying. I speak poor high school French and look things up in phrasebooks all the time and get a lot of help from the French people I encounter.

It only takes a few words to get by. But there are rules. It is rude to open a conversation in English. Plus there is only one polite way to open a conversation and that is with bonjour madame or monsieur, use bonsoir after 6pm. Then and only then ask parlez-vous anglais.

Hallelujah! people who have some manners! Please learn a few phrases - use them, speak QUIETLY (notice how quietly the people around you will be speaking). 10 or 15 phrases of French are not hard to learn, and you get a much better reception when you at least try to meet the entire country halfway.

Yesterday's New York Times had an article remotely related to this thread on attempts to learn a foreign language. It appears Italians are attempting to learn English with software that will freeze frames on a CD-ROM version of "Beverly Hills 90210" (God forbid) to pause actors' deliveries of English. American TV shows are being converted into interactive English lessons in Italy. <BR> <BR>An interesting statistic according to a European Commision study: only 28% of Italians speak any English at all; 30% of French do; 41% of Germans; 77% of Swedes and 78% of Dutch.

I'll wade in here on this one. My husband is the French-speacking family member except that everyone in France accuses him of being Belgian (must be his accent). I cannot speak a work (I took Spanish in school) but understand what I am hearing or seeing. I went out and bought a book dealing with French idioms (from Borders Bookstore)_ so that we don't FO PAW and end up asking where to screw fleas or something. Luckily, my son and daughter are taking French.....and I learned my way around Paris enough that I don't have to watch for George Sank rather than George V!!!!

I really recommend VERY highly the Dover foreign language phrasebooks, they have an entire series and I own about a dozen. They are titled "Say It In French", say it in ....etc. They have good pronunciation guides, good set of phrases, a good section with food and restaurant terms, they are very small, smaller than a usual paperback (about 4x5 inches) so easily fit in a pocket or purse AND the list price is only $3. A lot of bookstores carry Berlitz, etc, as they cost more and the Dover series can be hard to find in mainstream bookstores, but look for them at a travel bookstore or order them from Amazon or BN.

What about French For Idiots, or words to that effect? And have you looked at Living Language in the bookstores? It's about $12, and the package includes 2 tapes, dictionary and a small phase book (actually the coursebook that goes along with the tapes). It begins with the sounds and phrasing and pace, and works though very simple phrases. All in all, it's 40 short lessons, and you can pick and choose what you wish to learn and what to skip. And by all means, do learn some phrases and try. Always, say sir or madam first, and add a thanks. And learn the first person conditional for the verb vouloir - je vourdrais ... I would like ... it's polite and just as easy as je veux (I want). French does not accent syllables, so that helps as well. Learn some phrases, and when in your room, practice and study 30 minutes or so before you go out. Write down words and phrases that you will need each day or trip during the day (such as if you're taking a taxi, or telephoning for a reservation), and keep the card of notes handy for reference. It really will help you to have some french handy at your fingertips, and keep it very simple. By the way, trying to learn some of the language obviously will add a dimension to your trip. Above all, never assume everyone knows english. Sometimes I found my french was better than their english ... ah, the feel of victory.