English Language in Paris
I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. Thanks, Mike |
Re: English Language in Paris
"Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]... > I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany, > Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too > difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share > their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you > still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to > Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. > > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English. But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more. Surreyman |
Re: English Language in Paris
"a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
viestiss�:[email protected]... > > "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message > news:[email protected]... >> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions > (Germany, >> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language >> too >> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share >> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could >> you >> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip >> to >> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. >> >> > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English. > > But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more. > I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies at school. Not much for a vocabulary. |
Re: English Language in Paris
"Mike Collins" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]... >I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany, >Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too >difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you >still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to >Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. > Thanks, > Mike There's no problem. I've spend much time in France and Paris without knowledge of French. But try to learn a few word of courtesy like "bonjour" -good day "merci"-thank you Also try to keep a somewhat humble attitude, don't speak to anyone directly in English but try to ask "parlais anglais ?" or "do you speak English" Mostly the answer is "yes a little" and they've good knowledge of English. If not you can be sure they're trying the best to help. A small phrase-book could be to use for menus in restaurants although many restaurants in tourist areas have English menus. Don't expect so much help from the average street man in the rush hour as they're probably to reach home as fast as possible. Paris is a busy city but you'll find rest of France being more relaxed. |
Re: English Language in Paris
"Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ti.fi... > > "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti > viestissÀ:[email protected]... > > > > "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message > > news:[email protected]... > >> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions > > (Germany, > >> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language > >> too > >> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share > >> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could > >> you > >> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip > >> to > >> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. > >> > >> > > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English. > > > > But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more. > > > I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can > memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies at > school. Not much for a vocabulary. > Sounds like total rubbish to me. Surreyman |
Re: English Language in Paris
a.spencer3 wrote on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:14:01 GMT:
as> "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message as> news:[email protected]... ??>> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few ??>> occasions as> (Germany, ??>> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the ??>> local language too difficult, but I have heard France is ??>> quite different. Can anyone share their stories of not ??>> speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could ??>> you still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? ??>> We'll take a trip to Paris regardless, I am just trying to ??>> figure out how to prepare. ??>> as> You'll survive anywhere in the world without English. as> But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far as> more. I can understand not knowing anything about a foreign language if you suddenly have to go to a new country but I'd certainly agree with you about learning a little if possible. Anyway, I always found that getting some acquaintance with a new language and local customs is part of the fun of preparing for a trip. There are many small books available and I can't understand not reading at least one. All the Dutch, Danish and Swedish that I know was learned that way and being able to translate some public notices was always useful. James Silverton Potomac, Maryland E-mail, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not |
Re: English Language in Paris
"a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
viestiss�:[email protected]... > > "Markku Gr�nroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message > news:[email protected] ti.fi... >> >> "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti >> viestiss�:[email protected]... >> > >> > "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message >> > news:[email protected]... >> >> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions >> > (Germany, >> >> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language >> >> too >> >> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone >> >> share >> >> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could >> >> you >> >> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a >> >> trip >> >> to >> >> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. >> >> >> >> >> > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English. >> > >> > But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more. >> > >> I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can >> memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies > at >> school. Not much for a vocabulary. >> > > Sounds like total rubbish to me. > But it is true. |
Re: English Language in Paris
"Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany, >Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too >difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you >still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to >Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. > It's not a problem provided (1) you do not presume people can speak English, but ask first, and (2) you observe the social protocols (la politesse) including greeting people like shop assistants and table servers. I suggest you learn a few phrases -- things like "bonjour madame/monsieur", "parlez-vous anglais?", "s'il vous plait", "merci", "au revoir". When struggling to communicate (and it will happen) do not even think of getting annoyed or frustrated. It's part of your holiday -- c'est la vie. A moderate amount of self-deprecation goes a long way in preserving your equanimity and in winning people over. -- PB The return address has been MUNGED My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/ |
Re: English Language in Paris
On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:20:57 -0700, in rec.travel.europe, Padraig Breathnach
<[email protected]> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this: ... "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote: ... ... >I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany, ... >Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too ... >difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share ... >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you ... >still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to ... >Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. ... > ... It's not a problem provided ... (1) you do not presume people can speak English, but ask first, and ... (2) you observe the social protocols (la politesse) including greeting ... people like shop assistants and table servers. ... ... I suggest you learn a few phrases -- things like "bonjour ... madame/monsieur", "parlez-vous anglais?", "s'il vous plait", "merci", ... "au revoir". A little "excusez-moi" right before "parlez-vous anglais?" will be highly appreciated. ... When struggling to communicate (and it will happen) do not even think ... of getting annoyed or frustrated. It's part of your holiday -- c'est ... la vie. A moderate amount of self-deprecation goes a long way in ... preserving your equanimity and in winning people over. |
Re: English Language in Paris
Following up to "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote:
> but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? they dont like it, but there you go. I think a lot speak more english than they let on. Others dont respond to poor french. But one copes! :-) -- Mike (remove clothing to email) |
Re: English Language in Paris
Wow. Thank you. The quick response is most appreciated. I traveled to
Montreal a few years ago and learned some of the simple hellos, thank yous, and goodbyes. I'll definitely get a phrasebook and do some refreshing. "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]... >I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany, >Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too >difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you >still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to >Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. > > Thanks, > Mike |
Re: English Language in Paris
Am Tue, 7 Aug 2007 07:08:19 -0500 schrieb Mike Collins:
> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany, > Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too > difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share > their stories of not speaking French in Paris? I did remember scraping my bits of school-France together to ask these two black guys in Paris in french the way to the river Seine. They didn't have a clue about what I was on about. English worked better tehn ;-) > Could you > still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? Depends on the restaurant - in some posh restaurants they sometimes only speak french (read: they don't *want* to understand you). So it may help to know at least the names for food in french (or take a little dictionary). But in shops or places that are a bit more touristy you should get by with your english. Regards, Frank |
Re: English Language in Paris
Magda <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:20:57 -0700, in rec.travel.europe, Padraig Breathnach ><[email protected]> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this: > > ... "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote: > ... > ... >I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany, > ... >Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too > ... >difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share > ... >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you > ... >still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to > ... >Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. > ... > > ... It's not a problem provided > ... (1) you do not presume people can speak English, but ask first, and > ... (2) you observe the social protocols (la politesse) including greeting > ... people like shop assistants and table servers. > ... > ... I suggest you learn a few phrases -- things like "bonjour > ... madame/monsieur", "parlez-vous anglais?", "s'il vous plait", "merci", > ... "au revoir". > >A little "excusez-moi" right before "parlez-vous anglais?" will be highly appreciated. > Combining both my points: ask, and observe the social protocols. -- PB The return address has been MUNGED My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/ |
Re: English Language in Paris
"Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ti.fi... > I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can > memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies > at school. Not much for a vocabulary. Sounds like the usual BBC "let's trash the working class and their ability to use education in a meaningful way" bollocks to me. You have to be aware that these things aren't done to no purpose and the Public School, Oxbridge educated, elitist shits who run the BBC have a vested interest in making anyone not educated as they were feel inferior. My personal experience is that kids who studied a foreign language at school can't remember any of it at all, until you drop them in a French market town, at which point they suddenly realise that 'it works, even though it was something I did at school' and in less than a day are chattering happily with the locals... -- William Black I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach Time for tea. |
Re: English Language in Paris
"Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] i.fi... > > "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti > viestissÀ:[email protected]... > > > > "Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message > > news:[email protected] ti.fi... > >> > >> "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti > >> viestissÀ:[email protected]... > >> > > >> > "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message > >> > news:[email protected]... > >> >> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions > >> > (Germany, > >> >> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language > >> >> too > >> >> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone > >> >> share > >> >> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could > >> >> you > >> >> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a > >> >> trip > >> >> to > >> >> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare. > >> >> > >> >> > >> > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English. > >> > > >> > But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more. > >> > > >> I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can > >> memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies > > at > >> school. Not much for a vocabulary. > >> > > > > Sounds like total rubbish to me. > > > But it is true. > No, it's rubbish. Even those who didn't study French, for instance, at school could probably trot out 7 words! Any who did GCSE would remember far more. I haven't learned any French for some 50 years and didn't get beyond 'O' Level, but can still conduct basic conversations. Apart from the ployglots (Dutch, Swiss etc.) the English are no worse or better at languages than any other nation. I'm certainly no genius, but I've always mugged up rather more than 7 words for each new linguistic area I've visited. Surreyman |
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