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-   -   Speaking French (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/speaking-french-423194/)

klondike Apr 22nd, 2004 05:43 AM

I find accents quite charming, myself.

And I can just imagine what all those "boutique" salespeople have to say about foreigners-English, American, whatever- with the likes of M_Kingdom2's egocentric attitude for clients all day! I have a feeling they'd have alot more to complain about than accents!

Cole : Most guidebooks include a pronunciation key, which if followed may not
be perfect but will get the idea across. I like DK. Good luck, ou plutot...bonne chance!

StCirq Apr 22nd, 2004 06:06 AM

My apologies if I have made generalizations about British speakers of French. They are based on my observations over more than a dozen years with the numerous British expats and part-timers in the Dordogne. I have witnessed them time and time again failing to make even the slightest effort to speak French, even the basic "bonjour" and "merci," etc.; speaking loudly in English as if that would make them more intelligible; and spending the bulk of their time with other Brits, using British contractors for all their work, eating in British-owned establishments, and shopping in British-owned stores.
I have not noticed that trend among other nationalities that come to the Dordogne as visitors or part-time or full-time residents. It seems to be a British thing.
Those are my observations, and I stick by them. If there are Brits out there who act otherwise, I'm happy about that.

getamop Apr 22nd, 2004 06:48 AM

now, m_kingdom, repeat after me, je .... suis .... un .... idiot!

Ah mais oui, tres bien, tres bien. Like a native speaker.

Now, in english, if you please ... I (you) ... am ... an ... idiot. Uh-oh, not so good, you need some work on the accent.


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