In the books that I use in my French class, it says “Point Langue” and “Point Culturel” when it give information for grammar or culture. So today I am going to give you some tips on the French language (not grammar because that’s BORING) and culture.
Point Langue
I’ve reached a level, in learning French, where I can communicate basically with the word around me. Now, if you talk to me, don’t talk too fast and don’t use big words. But generally I can hold a conversation with one or two people. It is possible for me to speak “quickly” in French, but of course that leads to more errors, which is where my story begins. I’ve noticed recently, I’m a little like Rainman (yes, the autistic guy who had a really good-looking brother). Why? Because when I make an error in speaking, most of the time people understand what I mean and move on with the conversation but I quietly correct myself with the proper grammar and pronunciation. Sometimes this takes two or three tries. Sometimes, I hear a new word and just decide to repeat it until I get it right. I’m pretty sure my French family is ok with this odd habit, but what does the rest of the world think?
“Hello, miss. Can I help you with something today?”
“Hello. Can you helps me with manys things?”
“… Yes.”
“Ok, I’d wants her dress there and… pardon I wants your dress no! No! I would like your.. hmm pardon your (formal) dress there. (nervous giggle)”
“… Ok. What else?”
“Pardon?”
“What else would you…”
“OH YES! Ok, gives me… pardon, I would like shoe windows, please… ah! Please (formal).”
“You want the shoes by the window?”
“Uh… no. The shoes.. oh yes… the shoes by the window… by the window… by the… window..window…shoes by the window.”
“………..What size?”
So on and so forth.
Please, do be patient with foreigners!!!
Point Culturel
For Christmas, I asked my mom to bring me some grits, which she did of course. As American food has never really gone over well in this household (besides American candy), I wasn’t worried about sharing it but I wanted to offer anyway. So one Sunday morning I was on my way to make some grits and I offered to the family and a friend of the family who was staying over. “Well what is it exactly?” they asked. I was at a loss to explain, so I said I would just show them and if they wanted some I could make more. When I spooned a bit onto my plate, everyone at the table made a little sound of disgust. “It looks like the stuff that comes out of your nose” commented the friend. “Well just try a spoonful; it’s really not bad, I promise!” I say. And even though French are all about the trying of different foods, every single person declined.
So, when/if you come to France (1) know that grits aren’t available and (2) if you have them with you, the French won’t want to share.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Un Noël Français (A French Christmas)
Happy New Year everyone!! My horoscope prediction for this year tells me that my hard work will pay off and my love life will only be so-so (figures, with French boys all around). All in all it’s supposed to be a good year but I wonder if they ever tell you you’re going to have an awful year? Anyway…
I’m going to jump back a bit and regale my Christmas stories. Christmas with my French family was nice. We went to a big Christmas Eve dinner at Alain’s parent’s house where I enjoyed foie gras, smoked salmon, some other delicious meat, vanilla crème, chocolate mousse, and some other type of cake. There was lots of wine, of course. And a salad, too, so that we all wouldn’t keel over from a heart attack just after finishing the meal. It had snowed TONS and we almost didn’t make it home because they grandparents live at the bottom of a hill which happened to be completely iced over. We made it back safely. The family went to Caroline’s sister’s house Christmas day but I opted to hang out with my friend Gillian and his family. We ate gallettes (which are like crêpes but different) and they were delicious. After that we hung out with some friends and I went to bed early so I could pick up my mom at the airport in the morning.
Our time at the airport turned out to be quite an adventure. The plane was a little over an hour late because it had to be de-iced before take off in Atlanta. Fine, no worries. Then the baggage was slow to come because of some “local problem” at CDG (the workers were hungover from Christmas parties). But finally we learn that Delta did not put my mom’s bag on the plane at all. They would not be here until the next day! In fact we finally received her bags four days after she arrived. Ahh, the joys of traveling.
However we embarked on our trip south happily. First was Avignon. We rented a car and took trips outside of the city, too. We visited Pont de Garde, the roman aqueduct and the Roman arenas in Nimes. Avignon was quite quaint by itself and we had a fun time exploring the little streets.
Then was Aix-en-Provence, which I hear is a lovely little city. I don’t really know because, about 30 minutes after arriving at the hotel, I realized I had contracted a stomach virus and spent the next 35 hours in our hotel room. Fortunately, my mom had given us a little Christmas treat and had booked us into a 4 star hotel just in this city. I took full advantage.
Finally we left for Marseille. After a week of traveling, we were pretty tired and out of curiosity. Also, I was still fighting to keep food down, which can be quite tiring. Our plan was to visit Chateau D’If one day but it happened to be closed the two days we were there. So we milled around and Mom shopped for a pair of boots. We had a fantastic NYE dinner (veal and morels with a fantastic point noir—O M G) then, like the old souls that we are, went back to the hotel and went to sleep. For our last day, we day tripped out to St. Tropez, a tiny little town used by the rich to park their yachts. It happened to FABULOUS weather. 10C compared to the normal 1C!!!!! I unzipped my coat!!! Glorious. The next day we headed back to Paris. We lounged around the house getting packed and ready to go. My mom was a huge hit with Zoe because she taught her how to play the piano better.
Monday rolled around and it was back to the daily grind here in France and back home for my mommy. In fact, my family has a rough week coming up. While we were away, my uncle told us my grandfather’s condition took a turn for the worst. We don’t expect he’ll be with us much longer. I would appreciate it if you kept my family in your thoughts this week. Thanks.
So, Happy New Year Everybody!! More stories to come soon!!
In process for uploading pictures, will be available soon.
I’m going to jump back a bit and regale my Christmas stories. Christmas with my French family was nice. We went to a big Christmas Eve dinner at Alain’s parent’s house where I enjoyed foie gras, smoked salmon, some other delicious meat, vanilla crème, chocolate mousse, and some other type of cake. There was lots of wine, of course. And a salad, too, so that we all wouldn’t keel over from a heart attack just after finishing the meal. It had snowed TONS and we almost didn’t make it home because they grandparents live at the bottom of a hill which happened to be completely iced over. We made it back safely. The family went to Caroline’s sister’s house Christmas day but I opted to hang out with my friend Gillian and his family. We ate gallettes (which are like crêpes but different) and they were delicious. After that we hung out with some friends and I went to bed early so I could pick up my mom at the airport in the morning.
Our time at the airport turned out to be quite an adventure. The plane was a little over an hour late because it had to be de-iced before take off in Atlanta. Fine, no worries. Then the baggage was slow to come because of some “local problem” at CDG (the workers were hungover from Christmas parties). But finally we learn that Delta did not put my mom’s bag on the plane at all. They would not be here until the next day! In fact we finally received her bags four days after she arrived. Ahh, the joys of traveling.
However we embarked on our trip south happily. First was Avignon. We rented a car and took trips outside of the city, too. We visited Pont de Garde, the roman aqueduct and the Roman arenas in Nimes. Avignon was quite quaint by itself and we had a fun time exploring the little streets.
Then was Aix-en-Provence, which I hear is a lovely little city. I don’t really know because, about 30 minutes after arriving at the hotel, I realized I had contracted a stomach virus and spent the next 35 hours in our hotel room. Fortunately, my mom had given us a little Christmas treat and had booked us into a 4 star hotel just in this city. I took full advantage.
Finally we left for Marseille. After a week of traveling, we were pretty tired and out of curiosity. Also, I was still fighting to keep food down, which can be quite tiring. Our plan was to visit Chateau D’If one day but it happened to be closed the two days we were there. So we milled around and Mom shopped for a pair of boots. We had a fantastic NYE dinner (veal and morels with a fantastic point noir—O M G) then, like the old souls that we are, went back to the hotel and went to sleep. For our last day, we day tripped out to St. Tropez, a tiny little town used by the rich to park their yachts. It happened to FABULOUS weather. 10C compared to the normal 1C!!!!! I unzipped my coat!!! Glorious. The next day we headed back to Paris. We lounged around the house getting packed and ready to go. My mom was a huge hit with Zoe because she taught her how to play the piano better.
Monday rolled around and it was back to the daily grind here in France and back home for my mommy. In fact, my family has a rough week coming up. While we were away, my uncle told us my grandfather’s condition took a turn for the worst. We don’t expect he’ll be with us much longer. I would appreciate it if you kept my family in your thoughts this week. Thanks.
So, Happy New Year Everybody!! More stories to come soon!!
In process for uploading pictures, will be available soon.
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