Canadian Frence vs French French

by Simon 39 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  franklin J

  Simon,

  good luck practicing ANY french language in Paris.

  As an American; they just ignored me; attempting with my "classroom french" to communicate. They all spoke fluent english ( perhaps better than some Americans do) however they would not acknowledge us. The rudeness was obvious.

  Americans laugh at the way the French; especially Parisians, are so rude to mostly American tourists. Some say it has to do with how we mutilate the French language...so if you are going to say it in French; you had better pronounce it perfectly. Although as a UK citizen they may be more accepting of you; or maybe not.

  The Canadian French are far more supportive if you are tryiing to speak to them.

  The European community in general is charitable to english speaking Americans, thank goodness.
• 

  drwtsn32

  What the hell is Frence?
• 

  frenchbabyface

  Drwtsn32 ... (didn't catch it !)

  Franklin : sorry that you had a such a bad experience ...

  Simon,

  To be honnest to really learn a language by phone I guess you would have to find many subjects to talk about to really feel any progress (which also helps to be more motivated and practising without really feeling it). Do you listen different kind of French Media ? that way you'll get at least the most usefull sentences in the matters you are interrested in. So you won't only focus on grammar but most on syntaxes which is more important to get the current language.

  And well visiting the country is probably when you got to get it anyway futher to further ALIVE or your DEAD (just kidding - See Franklin). A few Parisian Apostofests Maybe ?
• 

  Feisoul

  Hi there!

  I'm Feisal, I'm originally from Paris in France but I live now in Switzerland.

  Canadian French and French from France are completely similar. Just some expressions that make some difference. But those expressions are typical from the country, that's why it makes it cute.

  To tell you the truth, It's the same thing with French from France and French from Switzerland, they do speak the same way, but they say some things differents,

  For example : When you say numbers, in french you would say 90 : Quatre Vingt Dix, but in Switzerland they will say Nonante...

  It's just a quick example, to tell you that some things makes the difference, and it's like a trademark for each country who speak french!

  Also, the accent, Canadian accent, Swiss Accent, and French Accent are completely different, when I import DVDs from Canada, and when I hear the French Language, it sometimes make me laugh because I'm not used to it, but it is kinda cute! Really !

  It's the same thing if we compare English from America, and English from England, the accent and the expressions are definitely different!

  I hope I made some sense, and sorry for my poor english, I tried my best.

  Bonne soirée à tous !
• 

  Golf

  Even the Montreal French differs with the Quebec (City) French. Though both cities cater to tourism, Quebec (City) goes out of it's way to speak English.

  Guest 77
• 

  Simon

  Thanks Faisoul and welcome to the forum. Your English is excellent and I wouldn't guess it isn't your native language.

  To be honnest to really learn a language by phone I guess you would have to find many subjects to talk about to really feel any progress (which also helps to be more motivated and practising without really feeling it).

  Yeah ... at the moment I can do a welcome. talk about picking up my case, getting a taxi and going to a hotel. Oh, and I can ask someone if they are hungry !

  Do you listen different kind of French Media ? that way you'll get at least the most usefull sentences in the matters you are interrested in. So you won't only focus on grammar but most on syntaxes which is more important to get the current language.

  Yes, when I have a bit of a better vocabulary I will tune in to some French language broadcasts to try and tune into it more. I guess it's a bit like talking to to someone with a strong geordie accent - at first it's very hard to understand but eventually you get an ear for it.

  And well visiting the country is probably when you got to get it anyway futher to further ALIVE or your DEAD (just kidding - See Franklin). A few Parisian Apostofests Maybe ?

  Who knows! I'd like to go somewhere where I had to speak it and could practice it properly (like I said, when I've got a lot better)
• 

  frenchbabyface

  Hi Feisoul

  Oh ... un autre français sur le forum, de la Suisse ... Interessant ... Je suis curieuse, pourquoi être parti là bas ? Le style de vie, les gens, votre travail ? Si je peux me permettre de vous posez ces quelques questions ?

  Bonne soiréeOh ... an other french on the board, from Switzerland ... Interesting ... I'm curious, why did you move their ? Lifestlyle, the people, your job ? If you don't mind answering my questions ? (or something like that : cause I'm not sur of the translation here if you or someone can tell me)

  Good night
• 

  frenchbabyface

  Simon
  
  Where do you find all the time needed , Canada is a great motivation indeed

  I'm learning more from people who do not speak my language at all. It's more tiring somehow but funy in fact. talking about the language is a part of the communication also.

  I've been very surprised lately by the difference in between Aussi's and British's English compare to american English (the one that I'm most used to) that is when you feel like you need a week or so to really get the flow of their expression and what they are talking about.(it is a bit disturbing)

  I've even found differences in between the differents part of the STATES of the US (New-York very precise the one I most understand - florida more flow - Texas less prononciation - Louisianna more swing ...)

  But every accent as it little charme always cute somehow as Feisoul said. It can be a problem when you don't learn with teacher type of people because people just like those little mistakes (when it doesn't lead to missunderstanding) they/we want to communicate not make sur that you/we really learn from it (more good time, but less efficient : it's a choice or a need.

  Somehow I found it harder to express myself by the phone / than e-mails at first (not my choice). I've had to think every 3 words, the switch was not coming along (I still have to deal with), while you are thinking about what you say, you have to think about how to say things. Talking about real slow communication - not really alive - couldn't stand more than 15 minutes at first. He has been very patient with me of course I guess I've learned more by earing than speaking. That is why I think that any kind of audio media is good (movies translated at first, and then not is an enjoyable way to get the flow of current language and specific vocabulary and accents and even tones) their are real tools to get use to the langage to me.
• 

  Simon

  I got most of the gist of what you put above (in French) but some of it was guessing the words & the context and at the moment there is a big gap between me reading or hearing and understanding it!

  I'm getting there though ... are there any talk-radio stations I should look out for (where they don't speak too fast).

  Something like BBC Radio 4 in French is what I'm after

  I've been listening to the CD's on my way to and from work which is about 40 minutes each way. I keep getting mixed up with German though at the moment that for some reason I seemed to remember better.
• 

  jgnat

  So, Simon....run out of Microsoft courses to ace?

  Though I have school french, I found out the hard way that it does not amount to much if I want employment with the Federal Government. If I were you, I would work on getting business-level comprehension. The Feds describe what they want here: http://jobs.gc.ca/mtp-psg/lt_e.htm

  After bumbling around on our CBC Radio site for a while, I finally found a radio link.

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