Learning French pronunciations - you reckon I should get rid of my guilt complex?

Question

I really love French words - have been obsessed with them for say, 7-8 years. Though never made any efforts to learn it nor interacted with many French, I can understand many sentences and even read simple books.

I know how the pronunciations work in French - omitting last consonants, conjoining vowels and so many intricacies. The difference lies in knowing the rules and observing them. That's where I get pi-ssed off.

The French are staunch purists about their language and won't accept even a slight change in pronunciation. For a learner, that makes the task even more difficult and my main interest is to include French into my vocabulary which is EASIER minus the pronunciation.

All along I tried to be respectful towards the language by trying to be pure but I guess enough is enough. My objective is only to know the written language.

Now I decided to learn French by pronouncing it the AMERICAN way whether the Government of France like it or not I say F* them the Frenchies

After all don't the Frenchies speak English in their nasal accents and it is supposed to sound "exotic" and "beautiful" accent

If I can learn 10,000 French words, sentences and grammar in the AMERICAN way - holy cow, who the fu-ck wants to talk to those rude Frenchies - at least I can read French literature and that's enough for me.

Answer 1

Just keep practicing and do your best. The French are proud of their language but by and large they appreciate the effort to speak it well, regardless of whether the accent is spot on.

Here in England there are lots of French people who speak English with a strong French accent. They are appreciated for learning the language so well and the reverse is true when we go over the Channel to France.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I have to say that French is a hard language when your mother tongue happens to be anglo saxon!

I really don't know what you mean about people being such nazis about French pronunciation? My partner is learning French as well. he's not great at it (Not by far) His pronunciation leads to some rather fun moments when he gets a word wrong but all he ever gets is a laugh and he laughs about it too!

One thing for sure everyone compliment us for our accent, think it's cute! So maybe you're trying your French on the wrong people!

Answer 4

"Now I decided to learn French by pronouncing it the AMERICAN way whether the Government of France like it or not I say F* them the Frenchies"

It was going well until you said that. How enormously arrogant of you.

I was once in Provence, and some American was barking his orders in 'French', but in a strong American accent "mon-sewer", etc.

On the same trip, a fat American couple in a restaurant in Bayeaux shook their heads at the French waitress who couldn't (or wouldn't) speak to them in english.

It would be a shame to spread the bad impression. Why would you give up on a language if you love it?

Answer 5

Tell the French they have multiple accents themselves, because what they speak in the "Provence" doesn't sound AT ALL like what they speak in "Bordeaux" or in Paris...
however, I've spoken French for 15 years now and even at the beginning when I had a very ugly German accent they didn't care. I guess they just don't like people from the UK (historical reasons).

Answer 6

I didn't know there was an American way to speak French. But then there's an American way to do just about everything. I'd say though that the jury are out as to whether or not the American way is the best way this time!

Answer 7

It would be fun to watch another typical Yank battling it out amongst French laddies in his 'reformed French' speech. I wish you good luck but pray that you are delivered well in advance from any obvious signs of offence.

Being English, I don't speak too many words in French. But the ones that I do, I speak them perfectly.Having travelled to France on several occasions, I always got a good response in English (againt prevailing stereotypes). The French are a wonderful people and deserve so much better than your condescension and downright disregard to one of the most fine-tuned languages in Europe. Being a direct descendant of Latin, French holds the key to much of the scientific discovery and artistry emanating from Europe.

Answer 8

If you wan't to speak French with the proper accent then invest in some kind of "learn French easy" language tapes and practice.

Answer 9

You can't expect people to want to speak your language wherever you go. Just pronounce as well as you can. People won't laugh if you pronounce something wrong as long as you're trying. If you just purposefully pronounce it in an arrogant American accent they will get p!ssed off, naturally, and you will be seen as just another arrogant, annoying tourist.

Answer 10

whoah okay. if u wanna f* the frenchies why bother learning the language in the first place?