Travling to France for the first time.(yes, more French questions from me) Is it more irritating to the French to hear an American speak their language imperfectly (even if it's close), or have an American speak English and hope they understand?
I'm trying to learn French before I go, but I'm wondering if I should just try to use my knowlege to understand what is being said to me rather than speak it myself. I'm afraid to try. It's for business and I don't want to look like a silly American fool.
2007-08-22 07:51:43 · 16 answers · asked by Becs 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Thankyou for your answers so far, I feel much better.
Socom03, I already have a lover. I hope he may accompany me on future trips. But I feel it is too much to ask the company on our first meeting.
2007-08-23 16:40:17 · update #1
As a general rule, they will be more impressed if you try to speak french.
Native English speakers are generally viewed by the French as people who don't bother trying to learn a foreign language because they assume everybody speaks some english. This is perceived as arrogance.
So even if you stutter, stumble, hesitate or make blatant mistakes, trying to speak some french will show that you are willing to make an effort.
And since you are going there for business, odds are the people you are talking to are going to smile and tell you it is fine if you continue in english. They will think more highly of you for trying.
Bon courage!
2007-08-22 08:02:47 · answer #1 · answered by stym 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my own experience, the French were very happy that I tried to speak their language. They don't like it when English speaking people expect everyone to speak English. Even if they speak it, they'll pretend they don't or will be reluctant to speak it.
It has nothing to do with "American accent" (whatever that means).
There has been some sort of feud between the French and the British, and the French resent the fact that the British don't seem to want to speak French when they go to France.
People in France become VERY cordial when you speak their language and try to help you as much as they can.
Now, if it's for business, that's a different issue. You'd better make sure everything you say is understood.
If you're 'trying' to learn French before you go, that means you don't speak the language and it will be a long time before you master it, so, stick to English.
Their English will certainly be better than your French.
.
2007-08-22 15:10:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Learning a new language is always a problem. However hard u may try, u will be lablelled as "foreigner" soon after u speak. Ths is with every one so, why to be scared of it? Why insist for it?
I am an indian, knowing English very well. I have travelled to USA(English speaking) & some european countries.The work has never suffered but the label was unacoidable so just go on. Good luck!
2007-08-30 00:50:18 · answer #3 · answered by JJ SHROFF 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
French people love hearing foreigners speak French. You're not at all an American fool if you try to speak French. It will even show all the efforts you do to live in France. And they must not laugh at you. If so, listen to them speak English !
2007-08-28 05:41:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been to France many times. The French get really annoyed when Americans go around speaking English and assuming that everyone knows it too and they thinks its snobby. Then they act coldly towards the Americans(French people don't like Americans much at all.) But they like when you try, even if you don't know all the words or pronounce it with an accent, and act kinder towards you. Really. It's happened to me.
2007-08-22 15:02:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Learn French and try to speak it when you get there, I am sure you will find a lot of French people who will try to speak English with an accent. You won't look like a silly American:) You'll correct them and they will correct you.
2007-08-29 22:39:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anna R 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is very difficult to speak a foreign language perfectly. People should understand that you're making an effort and be helpful and polite. It's been my experience, however, that some nationalities are nicer about it than others! I won't mention the bad apples here, but I'll tell you that the Hungarians are definitely friendly, very polite, understanding and helpful if you try to speak their langauge!
I say, do your best, and if they don't like it, ask them what other languages THEY can speak!
2007-08-22 14:57:58 · answer #7 · answered by Bigmouth Strikes Again 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take this opportunity to improve your french. Listen to them when they are speaking and speak french when you can. Not everyone in France speaks french. When I was in Paris, a man was trying to help me, but didn't speak english. Fortunately, I spoke enough french to understand what he was saying. And for those times when I did speak french, the people I spoke to didn't seem to mind my mistakes or accent.
2007-08-22 15:03:16 · answer #8 · answered by Gypsy Girl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, older French people are more difficult to communicate with, either in bad French or in English. If you are talking to young people though, it's a different story. Most of them speak English, or if they don't, they appreciate the effort you make to speak their language, even if you make the (unavoidable) mistake. They will tend to correct you but don't be offended, they mean well.
2007-08-22 15:01:30 · answer #9 · answered by Martha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people I met in France preferred that I spoke English but they might not represent all French. They said it was easier to understand my English than to correct my pronunciation so I just used my knowledge to follow what they said to one another. (It was a small village. Things may be different if you're in Paris or a large city.)
2007-08-22 14:57:44 · answer #10 · answered by Jess 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋