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I got an A in standard grade French and I can't get by in France


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Old 04-12-2016, 11:31
CravenHaven
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Another thing I've noticed here in France is that you don't see many obese French people
zat's because zey ave zem in ze dark making zem into foie gras, madame
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Old 04-12-2016, 13:42
d'@ve
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Je parle français comme une vache espagnole

gets you off on a good foot (unless you're speaking to a Spanish person by mistake)
I'm delighted to say that I read and immediately understood all of that, perhaps because it's true! My only 'qualification' is a grade 2 GCSE pass 50 years ago, and bits and pieces that I've picked up over the decades. Nice to know it didn't all go in one ear and out of the other.

Some years ago, I vaguely recall reading something about Sardines and trawlers, too, so I've even picked up a bit of modern French literature along the way!
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Old 04-12-2016, 13:47
St Dabeoc
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"Je parle Francais un peu" also helps. OK, so you've passed exams but the person you're speaking to doesn't know that, so it does no harm to inform them that your French is somewhat limited. The French are always impressed (not to mention surprised) when the English attempt to speak their language at all..!!

The reputation Les Rosbifs have on the continent, for expecting everybody to speak English, is widespread and well earned. It makes us look ignorant and arrogant so trying to converse with them on their own terms does you credit in their eyes.

My experiences of conversing with the French in their language have been positive. Generally, they're helpful and will be smilingly tolerant of your little mistakes. Don't give up, you'll improve in time. Good luck.
the best thing to say, to avoid any misunderstanding is

"of course I don't speak bloody French, I'm English, you imbecile!"

but I don't know the French for that, because I'm English
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:05
renard gris
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the best thing to say, to avoid any misunderstanding is

"of course I don't speak bloody French, I'm English, you imbecile!"

but I don't know the French for that, because I'm English
You could try this:

"Ecoutez-moi! Je ne parle pas francais, je suis anglais, d'accord?"

From my very rusty French
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:07
Welsh-lad
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When French people speak English with a French accent it sounds quite attractive... I'm curious to know what does French with an English accent sound like to the French?
English people generally don't sound good when speaking European languages because of the vowels.
Most european languages have pure vowels with long and short versions, so 'a' can be short as in 'cat' or long as in 'palm'.
After the great vowel shift English has terribly scooping and muddy vowels eg 'a' can be 'aaayyy' and 'o' can he 'oowww' etc.
And this often creeps into their pronunciation of other languages.
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:12
Ovalteenie
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I'm on a double decker train now... So excited... never been on one before

We should have them in Britain... would help with the congestion problem...
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:18
Ovalteenie
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Help...I'm on my way to a concert, which I booked online.... how do I say "I have a ticket reservation"?

Is it "j'ai une reservation de billet"? Or something like that?
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:20
Doctor_Wibble
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We should have them in Britain... would help with the congestion problem...
Only as far as the next bridge or tunnel, unless the passengers are all going to be crawling and lying down in which case I'm not sure there would be much exstra capacity... doesn't necessarily make it a bad idea - no doubt there's some routes they could use these on, but I suspect the ones that need it most are the ones least able to do it.

There's a logistics/engineering law that covers it, I'd be surprised if there isn't!
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:22
Doctor_Wibble
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Help...I'm on my way to a concert, which I booked online.... how do I say "I have a ticket reservation"?

Is it "j'ai une reservation de billet"? Or something like that?
No, it would be "est-ce que vous not savoir who I am?" and obviously a slight touch of the haughtiness helps there too
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:32
frangipane
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Help...I'm on my way to a concert, which I booked online.... how do I say "I have a ticket reservation"?

Is it "j'ai une reservation de billet"? Or something like that?
You got a 1 and don't know that or can't even work it out. Merde de taureau.
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Old 04-12-2016, 15:27
stargazer61
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Help...I'm on my way to a concert, which I booked online.... how do I say "I have a ticket reservation"?

Is it "j'ai une reservation de billet"? Or something like that?
Ovalteenie, a couple of tips. When you don't understand what is being said, say so immediately not when they have rambled on for a couple of minutes.

Also, most dealing you will have as a tourist are going to be questions and answers. When a waiter comes over to you in a restaurant, he is likely to be asking if you are ready to order, if you want a drink, etc., not about your in growing toe nail! In these circumstances you can almost prepare in your mind what is likely to be asked and your responses. Same but in reverse if you are asking a question _ think about the replies you are likely to get. Listen to what people are saying as opposed to panicking!

Don't worry too much about grammar ( the only verb tenses you really need are past, present, and future); a wide vocab is more useful.

As for the ticket, ask for the booking/ ticket office, pass over any paperwork if you have any, and say you have reserved a ticket for............. You may be asked for ID.
Enjoy yourself!
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Old 04-12-2016, 15:30
Union Jock
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I can speak French and get by ok but Parisians seem to speak a different version to what I learned.
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Old 04-12-2016, 15:47
Inkblot
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My O Levels were in graded with letters, the GCE's were graded with numbers. This was in 1979, 80 and 81
Just noticed this.

O Levels were officially called the GCE Ordinary Level.

According to Wikipedia they originally had a simple pass or fail classification but then some examining boards introduced alphabetical gradings and some introduced numerical ones. So it looks like at the time I took O Levels the numerical grades were in use, but a few years later they were superseded by alphabetical grades.
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Old 04-12-2016, 16:05
daisy_johns
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Another thing I've noticed here in France is that you don't see many obese French people
I found that was the case for about 6 years after we arrived in France, all the clothes were impossible for a size 16 lady with hips and boobs However, I have noticed more so in the last couple of years that there are now more overweight/obese French people than there used to be. I have no idea where obese French buy their clothes as I still find most clothes shops I visit are still all petit sizes. I'm lucky if I manage to find a size 16 UK size.

I don't know the reason why, maybe French shoppers are buying more pre packed instant meals these days.
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Old 04-12-2016, 16:59
Flufan
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My O Levels were in graded with letters, the GCE's were graded with numbers. This was in 1979, 80 and 81
Interesting. I did my O Levels in 1980 and the grades were A to E (not my results). A Levels I did in 1982 and again were graded A to E (not my results).
My O-Levels (1980) were GCEs! I think it may be CSEs that were meant here, graded with numbers.

I think one of the reasons why people complain that they can't understand foreign call centre operators is that they are far more likely than their customers to be speaking English correctly.
Seriously? IME when they can't be understood it's because they're speaking heavily-accented, oddly-constructed English. Not because it's perfect English.

I visited Bruges recently. Started talking in my O-level French with the hotel owner about where to park, and was just managing to keep up with her. But when I showed her my passport she said, "Oh, but you're English? You speak very good French!" Which was all very pleasing. She went on to add, "But when you go into town, don't speak it but stay with English or they will hate you." Not for trying to speaka da lingo, but because of regional considerations. Gabbling on about la plume de ma tante in southern Belgium would be absolutely fine; in the north, try Dutch or stick to English, apparently.
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Old 04-12-2016, 17:01
Union Jock
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Another thing I've noticed here in France is that you don't see many obese French people
Fast food places haven't taken over the high streets - yet.
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Old 04-12-2016, 17:43
Ovalteenie
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You got a 1 and don't know that or can't even work it out. Merde de taureau.
I was just looking for confirmation, there's no need to be rude

Anyway I got my ticket by showing them my printout
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Old 04-12-2016, 17:53
dave clarke
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I did schoolboy french in 60's and found it useless when I worked near Dijon for 3 months
Soon picked up a bit
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Old 04-12-2016, 17:54
Belligerence
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Most Parisians are very snotty, some like to hear the language spoken perfectly, others won't attempt to have a conversation with you, and you'll find those who are extremely sympathetic and will go out to help you.
9
The French at school only sets you up to A2 (elementary) standard and even then students struggle with basic role plays like ordering food or asking for directions.

Tip is to play Russian roulette. Don't blink first. If you want to improve your French, speak it and resist the need to switch to English. Don't worry about mistakes, we've all made them.
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Old 04-12-2016, 18:05
Ovalteenie
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Most Parisians are very snotty, some like to hear the language spoken perfectly, others won't attempt to have a conversation with you, and you'll find those who are extremely sympathetic and will go out to help you.
9
The French at school only sets you up to A2 (elementary) standard and even then students struggle with basic role plays like ordering food or asking for directions.

Tip is to play Russian roulette. Don't blink first. If you want to improve your French, speak it and resist the need to switch to English. Don't worry about mistakes, we've all made them.
I get the impression they look at you with a mixture of dismissal and pity

It makes me wonder what it's like for French tourists in the UK who don't speak English... Are we nice or rude to them?
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Old 04-12-2016, 18:44
daisy_johns
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Fast food places haven't taken over the high streets - yet.
Yes they have, McDonalds, KFC and many more take away chains like Quick and the like. Most are not on your doorstep though, so it involves usually driving to reach one
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Old 04-12-2016, 19:00
Christa
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I'm a bit baffled that the OP didn't realise GCSE French was rudimentary.
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Old 04-12-2016, 19:18
SULLA
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Disgraceful, should all speak Chinese,
No. The world language should be English !!!!!
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Old 04-12-2016, 19:32
tenofspades
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Thinly veiled 'I'm having a romantic weekend in Paris thread and can't impress my girlfriend with my gcse French'. Just kidding
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Old 04-12-2016, 19:37
WhatJoeThinks
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ah dernt knerr, ah ave neverr ad a problèm madame, ah just tork to zem in ze sily acsent zey preferr
Formidable! With just a touch of champenois, if I'm not mistaken.
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