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I got an A in standard grade French and I can't get by in France |
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#76 |
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Quote:
Another thing I've noticed here in France is that you don't see many obese French people
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#77 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Darn Sarf
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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) 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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#78 |
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Join Date: Sep 2015
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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. "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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#79 |
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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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 "Ecoutez-moi! Je ne parle pas francais, je suis anglais, d'accord?" ![]() From my very rusty French
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#80 |
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Mid Wales / Canolbarth Cymru
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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?
![]() 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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#81 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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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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#82 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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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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#83 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
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We should have them in Britain... would help with the congestion problem...
There's a logistics/engineering law that covers it, I'd be surprised if there isn't! |
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#84 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
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Quote:
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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#85 |
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 826
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Quote:
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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#86 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dirty thirty and proud!
Posts: 54,328
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Quote:
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? 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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#87 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
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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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#88 |
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: West London
Posts: 24,303
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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
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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#89 |
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Join Date: Apr 2014
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Quote:
Another thing I've noticed here in France is that you don't see many obese French people
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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#90 |
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Join Date: Feb 2009
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Quote:
My O Levels were in graded with letters, the GCE's were graded with numbers. This was in 1979, 80 and 81 My O-Levels (1980) were GCEs! I think it may be CSEs that were meant here, graded with numbers.Quote:
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).
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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.
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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#91 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,402
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Quote:
Another thing I've noticed here in France is that you don't see many obese French people
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#92 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: a whimsical world
Posts: 20,959
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You got a 1 and don't know that or can't even work it out. Merde de taureau.
![]() Anyway I got my ticket by showing them my printout
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#93 |
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Northants
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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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#94 |
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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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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#95 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: a whimsical world
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Quote:
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. ![]() ![]() 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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#96 |
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 296
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Quote:
Fast food places haven't taken over the high streets - yet.
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#97 |
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Down to earth
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I'm a bit baffled that the OP didn't realise GCSE French was rudimentary.
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#98 |
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Black Country lad in Yorkshire
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Quote:
Disgraceful, should all speak Chinese,
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#99 |
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Join Date: Apr 2007
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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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#100 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,236
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Quote:
ah dernt knerr, ah ave neverr ad a problèm madame, ah just tork to zem in ze sily acsent zey preferr
With just a touch of champenois, if I'm not mistaken.
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