My 20 year old daughter said to me… "If I had known then what I know now". She finished her sentence with "I would have studied harder in French class". I could have said many things. I contemplated, 'I told you so", but thought otherwise and reminded her that we have all our lives to learn.
If only I could heed my own advice. Here I sit, in France, with this beautiful language all around me, yet I am completely baffled. I tried to learn the language before we arrived. I picked up a French book several times, I looked for language CD's on the internet and checked out a few French podcasts online. It went in one and out the other. I told myself I was too busy. I thought of many other excuses. I like to blame it on my American accent. I decided years ago that I have one of those accents that is incapable of another language. It has me tongue tied and as a result I often declare that I am language deficient.
My 11 year old son can roll his r'ssss with easy aplomb. When he recites his French homework, it is music to me ears. I have no idea what he is saying but it sounds lovely. I think he is one of the lucky ones with an ear for languages.
Monsieur H. speaks fluent French, he is my ears and voice in our French world. We have a French cook on our holiday who does not speak English. She is a wonderful cook and is happy to teach me but when she starts speaking my eyes glaze over and my arms go up and down…"wait, wait…I need my husband to translate". I sound and look like a crazy middle aged American woman....which, I am.
I think of my blogging friends, Sharon @ My French Country Home, Vicki @ French Essence and Ange @ Signed by Ange. They all inspire me. I admire them for their ability to live in two worlds, their English world and their French world. Being able to live within the language of another culture opens a door that you would never see as a tourist. My hat goes off to them.
I am 53 years old and feel it is time to break the french language barrier and get down to business. Actually, I have no choice but to learn the language as it looks like we will be moving to a french speaking country next year….but that is another story. I will stick to the here and now. :)
I am 53 years old and feel it is time to break the french language barrier and get down to business. Actually, I have no choice but to learn the language as it looks like we will be moving to a french speaking country next year….but that is another story. I will stick to the here and now. :)
So dear friends, and advice for this reluctant language learner?
Merci Beaucoup!
PS.. I apologise in advance for any spelling errors. I have discovered that since I am writing in France, my spelling corrections must be done in French. My internet world is in French...mon dieu!
Merci Beaucoup!
PS.. I apologise in advance for any spelling errors. I have discovered that since I am writing in France, my spelling corrections must be done in French. My internet world is in French...mon dieu!
image~me
6 comments:
It certainly must be harder as we get older to dive into a new language. I think we are more and more afraid of making mistakes, while the young just do it.
Can you get a tutor, perhaps? or maybe Rosetta Stone, where you and the computer voice can work together? I think it would mean a lot to you to be able to live, and move and have your being comfortably with your French neighbors (and cook!). Good luck and kudos for wanting to succeed.
Darling - you amaze me! I will send you an e-mail that may help you!
My friend Cheryl is working in France. She spoke the language but her HB did not and they had French lessons and hired a tutor. It is so much easier once you are in the country where little English is spoken.
It's all very exciting!
What country are you moving to?
HI Jeanne
Just returned home after a short break and found your mail. Thank you for the sweet mention, of course you'll manage to learn French, you'll just have to make it fun!
I'll be learning Italian this winter, so we'll be able to compare notes on progress.
Hope you're all having a wonderful time, the chateau looks amazing !!
xx
French-speaking. Hmmm....the plot thickens:-)
Oh my friend I know exactly what you mean, I took french 4 years in high school, 4 years in college, I have been to France almost every year since I was 20 and have many, many French friends, to include one of my French teachers; and I do not speak French. I can read and understand most of what is said but I do not like the way I sound nor can my brain translate from English to French without sounding like a complete idiot.
I am sure that you will pick it up a lot faster if you are imersed in it. I guess it will be trial by fire! Are you excited about your move?
I do not know how I missed this post. I love it as well as the one about the needlepoint Christmas stocking!
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