Bonjour & Merci
Some of the most useless language I have learned is in beginning language classes. If you go into a shop to purchase bread, or ask a stranger on the street for directions, telling them your name and age isn't all that helpful. Hi, I'm K-Rae and I'm 24 years old. That's a bit creepy, not to mention passing strange since I learned those sentences more than 20 years ago in my college Russian class.
A few years ago my father was hit with a burst of motivation to finally learn some French in preparation for a Paris visit. He had picked up some CDs and practiced for hours with his Walkman and headphones. His first day in Paris we walked into a store together and he confidently brushed me aside with an 'I've got this,' strode up to the shopkeeper and loudly and clearly asked, 'Parlez-vous français?' to which the gentleman predictably replied, 'Oui.' End of story. Another highly useful phrase he learned was 'Au feu!' which he practiced loudly on a train. Fortunately, the rest of the passengers in the car just stared quizzically at the American with headphones, calmly repeating, “Fire! Fire!”
During my travels and while teaching my Survival French course in Paris to mostly American law students, I realized that the first responder phrases in any language are not, 'My name is ...', 'Where are you from?', 'What is your profession?' but 'Hello' and 'Thank you.' No one expects you as a tourist to be conversant in the local language, but people do appreciate politeness, and in France, an acknowledgment that you are not at home, but a guest in another land, is always well received.
I find that my monolingual American friends are often reluctant to use even the most basic French words out of a very human terror of embarrassing themselves and of not being understood. Whatever their relationship with language at home, while abroad they see language as a practical means to an end. 'Their English is certainly better than my French so wouldn't it be less painful all around to cut to the chase with a polite, 'Hello. Do you speak English?' It is better than beginning with 'Yeah, I'll have a beer,' but if you are after a deeper connection with your surroundings and interaction with your local environment you have nothing to lose and so much to gain by learning a couple of words.
Many people in their professional prime are extremely uncomfortable at the prospect of being seen as less than competent, and feeling at a loss in a foreign environment can make them feel very vulnerable. If you only learn two words for your next visit to France, let them be Bonjour and Merci. There is nothing like a generous and cheerful Bonjour! to start off a conversation in French. Anyone can do it. I promise and no one will care if it's evening, although they may correct you with a Bonsoir.
When I travel, I learn these two words. If you're in a country where very few visitors speak the language - China, Japan, Turkey, Hungary, for example - chances are the locals will be delighted with your minimal efforts. Carry a pocket-sized notebook or a scrap of paper and ask people to write down words.
Another trick to conversing locally is to learn a simple, but unexpected polite sentence. I have seen the artist and photographer Barbara Jo Revelle charm a photo out of many a reluctant Parisian with her beaming smile and disarmingly fresh 'Vous êtes bien aimable.' (You are very kind.)
Bonjour and merci. Whether you’re in Paris for a semester abroad, for an extended expat stay, or just for a few days, these are the words that will open doors for you. If you don’t speak French, you might feel self-conscious, but your efforts will be appreciated even more. Walk into a bakery, a shop, or go up to a ticket window, and begin with bonjour. Then you can ask if they speak English. When you leave, even if you didn’t buy anything, say merci. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss off an au revoir.
Vocabulary Tip: Even if you don’t speak French, make a list of all the French words you know, and then group them into categories - greetings, song lyrics, food, film, philosophy. You'll be amazed at the vocabulary you already have.
Some of the most useless language I have learned is in beginning language classes. If you go into a shop to purchase bread, or ask a stranger on the street for directions, telling them your name and age isn't all that helpful. Hi, I'm K-Rae and I'm 24 years old. That's a bit creepy, not to mention passing strange since I learned those sentences more than 20 years ago in my college Russian class.
A few years ago my father was hit with a burst of motivation to finally learn some French in preparation for a Paris visit. He had picked up some CDs and practiced for hours with his Walkman and headphones. His first day in Paris we walked into a store together and he confidently brushed me aside with an 'I've got this,' strode up to the shopkeeper and loudly and clearly asked, 'Parlez-vous français?' to which the gentleman predictably replied, 'Oui.' End of story. Another highly useful phrase he learned was 'Au feu!' which he practiced loudly on a train. Fortunately, the rest of the passengers in the car just stared quizzically at the American with headphones, calmly repeating, “Fire! Fire!”
During my travels and while teaching my Survival French course in Paris to mostly American law students, I realized that the first responder phrases in any language are not, 'My name is ...', 'Where are you from?', 'What is your profession?' but 'Hello' and 'Thank you.' No one expects you as a tourist to be conversant in the local language, but people do appreciate politeness, and in France, an acknowledgment that you are not at home, but a guest in another land, is always well received.
I find that my monolingual American friends are often reluctant to use even the most basic French words out of a very human terror of embarrassing themselves and of not being understood. Whatever their relationship with language at home, while abroad they see language as a practical means to an end. 'Their English is certainly better than my French so wouldn't it be less painful all around to cut to the chase with a polite, 'Hello. Do you speak English?' It is better than beginning with 'Yeah, I'll have a beer,' but if you are after a deeper connection with your surroundings and interaction with your local environment you have nothing to lose and so much to gain by learning a couple of words.
Many people in their professional prime are extremely uncomfortable at the prospect of being seen as less than competent, and feeling at a loss in a foreign environment can make them feel very vulnerable. If you only learn two words for your next visit to France, let them be Bonjour and Merci. There is nothing like a generous and cheerful Bonjour! to start off a conversation in French. Anyone can do it. I promise and no one will care if it's evening, although they may correct you with a Bonsoir.
When I travel, I learn these two words. If you're in a country where very few visitors speak the language - China, Japan, Turkey, Hungary, for example - chances are the locals will be delighted with your minimal efforts. Carry a pocket-sized notebook or a scrap of paper and ask people to write down words.
Another trick to conversing locally is to learn a simple, but unexpected polite sentence. I have seen the artist and photographer Barbara Jo Revelle charm a photo out of many a reluctant Parisian with her beaming smile and disarmingly fresh 'Vous êtes bien aimable.' (You are very kind.)
Bonjour and merci. Whether you’re in Paris for a semester abroad, for an extended expat stay, or just for a few days, these are the words that will open doors for you. If you don’t speak French, you might feel self-conscious, but your efforts will be appreciated even more. Walk into a bakery, a shop, or go up to a ticket window, and begin with bonjour. Then you can ask if they speak English. When you leave, even if you didn’t buy anything, say merci. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss off an au revoir.
Vocabulary Tip: Even if you don’t speak French, make a list of all the French words you know, and then group them into categories - greetings, song lyrics, food, film, philosophy. You'll be amazed at the vocabulary you already have.
Bonjour!
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