Myth: The French Know English But Won't Speak It!
Aug 12th, 2004, 12:20 PM
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Myth: The French Know English But Won't Speak It!
I've heard it a 1000 times and I just heard it again - someone telling about their train trip in France, dissing the French conductor for, when they asked him a question in English he just threw up his hands in exasperation and moved on. This made the Americans indignant because they were SURE he knew English but just refused to speak it. I've lived in France and have family with there and very few people, even highly educated types speak fluent English. So why would we expect lower-educated types such as conductors and waiters would speak English. It's about the same as if a French traveler would ask an Amtrack conductor something in French, or in Wendy's a counter person speaking French. Now there may be some waiters who feign not speaking English for some reason but just very few actually do. Even though in school many French study English for several years, few can speak it. And I've seen the way some Yanks bark at people like conductors, a forceful "Speak English in a demanding way. Take time at least to learn a few niceties in French, par example: "S'il vous plait, monsier (or) madame, parlez-vous anglais," and then ask s l o w l y in English you question if the answer is affirmative. I speak somewhat fluent French but when the French rattle something off at me quickly it's hard for me to understand, so speak slowly even if the person speaks good English. Learning a few words of French, or any country's language goes a long way towards creating a polite reply - a few words go a long way instead of just barking "Do You Speak English!"
Aug 12th, 2004, 12:40 PM
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Eloise:
In fairness, it's not only English speakers who think that speaking loudly improves understanding.
A couple of decades ago, I took the little ferry from Leverburgh, in Lewis/Harris (only the Scots would be so precious as to give one island two names) to North Uist (a journey entirely within the Gaelic-speaking belt). Halfway across the sound, the tiny boat stopped at a microport.
An elderly lady climbed down onto the boat, and I helped her on board. She said something in Gaelic.
"I'm sorry", I said (in English, of course), "I don't have any Gaelic".
She looked at me for an idiot.
And repeated what she's just said, twice as slow and five times as loud.
In fairness, it's not only English speakers who think that speaking loudly improves understanding.
A couple of decades ago, I took the little ferry from Leverburgh, in Lewis/Harris (only the Scots would be so precious as to give one island two names) to North Uist (a journey entirely within the Gaelic-speaking belt). Halfway across the sound, the tiny boat stopped at a microport.
An elderly lady climbed down onto the boat, and I helped her on board. She said something in Gaelic.
"I'm sorry", I said (in English, of course), "I don't have any Gaelic".
She looked at me for an idiot.
And repeated what she's just said, twice as slow and five times as loud.
Aug 12th, 2004, 12:46 PM
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I have a technique I use with co-workers and acquaintances who insist that other people have studied a language and know how to speak it.
I give them a basic story problem and ask them to solve it using algebra. You should see the looks I get. I insist that they studied math all through school. They covered algebra in high school.
I continue to pressure them on why they can't do a simple algebra problem. Eventually the light dawns for them. Just because you studied something 20 years ago doesn't mean you remember how to do it today.
Of course don't try this with a math teacher.
On the flip side I get annoyed with fellow Americans who whine endlessly about people in the US not speaking English. I always hit these people with a challenge. Start studying a foreign language and show me how quick and easy it is to become fluent in one. So far no one's taken me up on it.
I give them a basic story problem and ask them to solve it using algebra. You should see the looks I get. I insist that they studied math all through school. They covered algebra in high school.
I continue to pressure them on why they can't do a simple algebra problem. Eventually the light dawns for them. Just because you studied something 20 years ago doesn't mean you remember how to do it today.
Of course don't try this with a math teacher.
On the flip side I get annoyed with fellow Americans who whine endlessly about people in the US not speaking English. I always hit these people with a challenge. Start studying a foreign language and show me how quick and easy it is to become fluent in one. So far no one's taken me up on it.
Aug 12th, 2004, 01:39 PM
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Wait a minute--other posters here and at other web sites tell us that everyone in Europe speaks 30 or 40 languages fluently and the only people in the world who don't are the stupid Americans! Which is it?
Aug 12th, 2004, 02:33 PM
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It is neither Rufus.
This discussion reminds of an experience I had once in a hotel in Basel. An Englishs dowager was eating breakfast near where I was seated.
The young lady doing the serving, about 19 years old perhaps, was quite polite and efficient. But she spoke German, and perhaps a little French because I think all Swiss have to learn a second language.
When she poured my coffee, I asked her in German if she spoke English, and the answer was that she did not.
Shortly after that the waitress poured some tea (or coffee) for English woman, who said to the young lady "Its a nice day, isn't it?" The girl smiled and kept serving. The English woman somewhat miffed at the lack of response, repeated her question a few decibels louder. Finally in a voice that was audible in the street she gave it once last try.
Tiring of her arrogance and stubborness, I turned to the English lad and said, "The young lady does not speak English. I just asked her, and she said she did not. She is not deaf."
The English woman looked at me like I had escaped from the zoo and said, "Well, this is the last time I will stay in a hotel that caters to savages."
This discussion reminds of an experience I had once in a hotel in Basel. An Englishs dowager was eating breakfast near where I was seated.
The young lady doing the serving, about 19 years old perhaps, was quite polite and efficient. But she spoke German, and perhaps a little French because I think all Swiss have to learn a second language.
When she poured my coffee, I asked her in German if she spoke English, and the answer was that she did not.
Shortly after that the waitress poured some tea (or coffee) for English woman, who said to the young lady "Its a nice day, isn't it?" The girl smiled and kept serving. The English woman somewhat miffed at the lack of response, repeated her question a few decibels louder. Finally in a voice that was audible in the street she gave it once last try.
Tiring of her arrogance and stubborness, I turned to the English lad and said, "The young lady does not speak English. I just asked her, and she said she did not. She is not deaf."
The English woman looked at me like I had escaped from the zoo and said, "Well, this is the last time I will stay in a hotel that caters to savages."
Aug 12th, 2004, 02:49 PM
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You're preaching to the smug fodorite choir here PalQ. This tired topic gets hauled out everytime some european wannabe gets bored and needs a little boost to renew their pompous sense of self-importance.
Aug 12th, 2004, 05:52 PM
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Sorry to disagree - but a lot of people in France speak perfectly good english - and most in tourist areas/businesses speak at least a little. However, it is always possible to run into people who don;t - and its only polite to learn at least a few basic phrases in the language of the country - at least enough to establish if you share any common language.
Aug 12th, 2004, 06:02 PM
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In Paris, yes but in France Profound, I speak a little French, and the French speak a little english, but no matter, we get along and laugh alot. we are grateful to each other to make the attempts
Aug 12th, 2004, 06:36 PM
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Yes, Cigale! some of my best memories are the interactions of French and english speakers!
And TopMan, you are so right..how many English speakers speak "English". Or even worse , write it. There, their, they're or the newest thing ..u, r, 2, 4,. Sorry my puncuation belongs in Eats,Shoots, and Leaves!
And TopMan, you are so right..how many English speakers speak "English". Or even worse , write it. There, their, they're or the newest thing ..u, r, 2, 4,. Sorry my puncuation belongs in Eats,Shoots, and Leaves!
