A charming shop in Paris
ricain(e) (ree-kah(n) ree-kahn)
: American (slang)
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc pronounce the French lyrics to the famous song, below: Download MP3 or Wav file
Si les Ricains n'étaient pas là, vous seriez tous en Germanie. If the Americans weren't there, you'd all be in Germany. -Michel Sardou, French singer
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Ricane English and Hound dog French
The other night I received an unusual request from my daughter. Standing in the doorway, her voice was soft: "Can we practice English?"
"Bien sûr!" I said, patting the cushion beside me. We've come a long way since elementary school days, when my kids would stop me at the gates of their école maternelle: "Please don't talk, Mom. Pas un mot!"
What had been embarrassment has turned, over the past few years, into fierté. "I am so lucky to have a mom who speaks English!" Jackie acknowledged, entering my bedroom.
Seated beside me now, my 15-year-old is determined. "I want to pronounce my r's like an American!"
"Really?" I say, beginning our lesson.
"Weally!" Jackie smiles, happy to jump in.
"No, rrreally," I correct her.
"WWWeally," Jackie tries again, clearly struggling. Funny how that R humbles both of us, Jackie in English—and me in French!
"Not 'wheely'."A wheely, I point out, "is something you do to show off on your bike! Try again. Rrrreally… rrrraspberry… rrrrow… row row row your boat."
Jackie laughs. She doesn't recognize Row Your Boat, but the rhyme is funny all the same. My daughter repeats the words, impatient when I don't respond right away.
"Corrige-moi!" She pleads, reminding me of her summer plans. She'll spend a month in Idaho, at her grandparents', and she wants to lose her accent, rrrrapidos!
"OK. Listen up: rrrred… rrrromania… rrrrachel… rah rah rah shish boom bah! "
My student laughs. The pop culture reference escapes her, but silliness is universal, and that she gets.
Enough silliness, Jackie reminds me this is serious business! She only has 5 months to learn to speak like a star-spangled ricaine!
"But you don't have to sound like an American. Everyone will love your French accent!" I assure her.
Jackie shakes her head, and the look on her face is slang for nothin' doin! "I need to learn argot, too!" my daughter adds.
Jackie's wish to conquer her thick accent and to speak street English reminds me of my own aspirations to sound like a native. As an American, I have always wanted to speak French like Jodie Foster!
Jackie urges me to talk in full sentences now, for more repetition and comprehension.
"OK," I agree, wondering what to talk about….
"It is a gift to be bilingual…" I begin.
(Jackie smiles, as she repeats)
Encouraged, I keep the drill going, sneaking in a few affirmations… Jackie repeats each line:
Speaking French and English will open many doors for me…
I enjoy studying language….
…and math, too!!… (Jackie shoots me a sarcastic look, but is obligated to repeat my English words… Which reinforces my idea…)
I know that the more education I get, the more opportunities I will have in life…
I organize my school supplies…. And enjoy keeping my room tidy…. I make my bed each morning…
Jackie shakes her head as she repeats the last sentences. "OK, Mom. Can we work on the r's again?"
As we go through Roxanne, row row, and raspberry shish boom bah, I steal glances at my daughter, admiring her profile as she twists her lips, trying to find the American r channel. If she keeps twisting, she just might reach it! Her silky hair cascades off her shoulder in a fountain of brown and blond. "What is it you call that style?" I ask, referring to her recent trip to the hairdresser's.
"Tie and dye."
The tie and dyed hair looks great on her; but the brown-roots-blond-ends wouldn't work for me, though. I go to the salon to reverse that effect!
As Jackie struggles with the string of "r" words, I reach over and pat her on the shoulder, sweeping her bottle-blond ends aside.
"Don't worry, Jackie. I am incapable of pronouncing certain words, too."
"Weally?"
"The French word for 'truffle'… Impossible for me to pronounce it!
"Vas-y! Let me hear you say it!"
I shake my ahead, ashamed.
"Truffe! Go ahead, say it!"
I can't! I can't say the word. To say it is to appear a fool in front of my student. To say it is to lower oneself below even the Parisian mud puddles. To say it is to eat humble pie…. To say it is to sound like a hound dog. I don't want to sound like a hound dog in French! I want to sound like Jodie Foster!
"Say it, Mom! Come on, truffe!"
"You really want to hear it?"
"Weally!"
"Twoof."
***
French Vocabulary
bien sûr = of course
une école maternelle = preschool
pas un mot = not a word
corrige-moi = correct me
la fierté = pride
ricain(e) = slang for American
l'argot (m) = slang
vas-y! = go ahead!
une truffe = truffle
Our daughter, Jackie. Highlights à la "tie and dye" or "ombré" hair is all the rage in France at the moment.
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I see y’all want to speak “English” rather than “American”. There is a very distinct difference, you know!
I see y’all want to speak “English” rather than “American”. There is a very distinct difference, you know!
What a fun posting! I have trouble pronouncing the W and TH. Every W sounds like a V – my friend tell me. But I dare them to pronounce Hungarian words.
What a fun posting! I have trouble pronouncing the W and TH. Every W sounds like a V – my friend tell me. But I dare them to pronounce Hungarian words.
Love this story! Being bilingual really is a gift!
I received the gift growing up and can now speak 3 languages.
Keep speaking to your daughter in English, she can then
Have doors open to her because of this “gift” which is language.
Accents are unique, and your daughter will appreciate that
As she grows older. Continuez….Bon travail professeur!
Love this story! Being bilingual really is a gift!
I received the gift growing up and can now speak 3 languages.
Keep speaking to your daughter in English, she can then
Have doors open to her because of this “gift” which is language.
Accents are unique, and your daughter will appreciate that
As she grows older. Continuez….Bon travail professeur!
My children can only pronounce correctly the names of the Hungarian dishes they llike.
My children can only pronounce correctly the names of the Hungarian dishes they llike.
I LOVE this story for its mother-daughter moment! And c’est vrai, it is only an advantage in life to be bilingual! How exciting for Jackie to travel to the states this summer! Idaho is a beautiful state and time with grandparents is priceless! Bonne journee, mon amie.
I LOVE this story for its mother-daughter moment! And c’est vrai, it is only an advantage in life to be bilingual! How exciting for Jackie to travel to the states this summer! Idaho is a beautiful state and time with grandparents is priceless! Bonne journee, mon amie.
Jackie, I commend you on your desire to improve your English and you have a marvelous teacher! You will, however, be totally accepted and appreciated with your accent, which to the American ear is delightful!
Many thanks, Kristin, for this lovely posting about mother and daughter- it warms my heart!
Jackie, I commend you on your desire to improve your English and you have a marvelous teacher! You will, however, be totally accepted and appreciated with your accent, which to the American ear is delightful!
Many thanks, Kristin, for this lovely posting about mother and daughter- it warms my heart!
The French r words – I too find them impossible. I prepare for them and go for it and sound ridiculous every time. I just can’t get it at all!! x
The French r words – I too find them impossible. I prepare for them and go for it and sound ridiculous every time. I just can’t get it at all!! x
This anecdote is sweet literature, but not fictive. Years ago now for a brief while my wife and I were told by our daughter not to use Spanish in public because it was embarrassing, she thought. Our daughter is now a government employee who got her job not just for her business masters, but also directly due to her Spanish major (and she also earned German, communications, and business majors and a French minor.) To anyone in this situation with their children: be patient. Children eventually grow to appreciate the worth of all modes of communication.
This anecdote is sweet literature, but not fictive. Years ago now for a brief while my wife and I were told by our daughter not to use Spanish in public because it was embarrassing, she thought. Our daughter is now a government employee who got her job not just for her business masters, but also directly due to her Spanish major (and she also earned German, communications, and business majors and a French minor.) To anyone in this situation with their children: be patient. Children eventually grow to appreciate the worth of all modes of communication.
Once in Paris I said four words in a row more or less OK. Apparently anyway, because a beautiful French shop-woman gave me a wonderful smile and said “perfect”.
Otherwise, French has been almost all humble pie for me. But, your blog Kristin! is a pleasure over and over.
Once in Paris I said four words in a row more or less OK. Apparently anyway, because a beautiful French shop-woman gave me a wonderful smile and said “perfect”.
Otherwise, French has been almost all humble pie for me. But, your blog Kristin! is a pleasure over and over.
Kristin, bravo to you and Jackie for your efforts with the English. As a retired FRench teacher, I want to tell you that pronouncing the r at the beginning of a word is the hardest place to start with it, both in French and English. If you work on final r’s and r’s in the middle of the word, she might pick it up quicker. Good luck! And I love reading your blog and seeing the photos you post. BEautiful!
Kristin, bravo to you and Jackie for your efforts with the English. As a retired FRench teacher, I want to tell you that pronouncing the r at the beginning of a word is the hardest place to start with it, both in French and English. If you work on final r’s and r’s in the middle of the word, she might pick it up quicker. Good luck! And I love reading your blog and seeing the photos you post. BEautiful!
No, no Jackie – we Anglaise try and try to roll our r’s and you want to sound Americain? Everyone will adores your French accent – there is nothing sweeter.
Peggy in Florida
No, no Jackie – we Anglaise try and try to roll our r’s and you want to sound Americain? Everyone will adores your French accent – there is nothing sweeter.
Peggy in Florida
“Trying to find the American r channel” made me smile wide! My own kids don’t remember radio tuners with dials – everything is digital now, so it’s hard for them to know that feeling of edging up to a station only to slide off into static. But your description was perfect for me. How wonderful for her to be able to practice with you. I, too, long to speak French (and Italian) like a native. I’m brave enough to try, but often think I am genetically incapable of producing certain sounds. Even a simple rolled R seems impossible. I guess I just have an American tongue. lol
Thanks for a great column to start my day!
“Trying to find the American r channel” made me smile wide! My own kids don’t remember radio tuners with dials – everything is digital now, so it’s hard for them to know that feeling of edging up to a station only to slide off into static. But your description was perfect for me. How wonderful for her to be able to practice with you. I, too, long to speak French (and Italian) like a native. I’m brave enough to try, but often think I am genetically incapable of producing certain sounds. Even a simple rolled R seems impossible. I guess I just have an American tongue. lol
Thanks for a great column to start my day!
What a fun “play on words,” Kristen! It will be interesting to hear how she sounds when she returns home from Idaho!
What a fun “play on words,” Kristen! It will be interesting to hear how she sounds when she returns home from Idaho!
Jackie- Vous avez tort, si vous croyez que les garçons en Idaho ne aiment pas vôtre accent français. Mais, si vous voulez vraiment à améliorer vôtre anglais/ricaine, Je veux volontiers skype avec vous avec le autorisation de vos parents. J’ai fait la connaissance du vôtre père à Boston l’année dernière. J’ai besoin d’améliorer mon français aussi. Vous aurez un temps magnifique dans Idaho cet été. Je croyais que ricaine est dérisoire ?
Jackie- Vous avez tort, si vous croyez que les garçons en Idaho ne aiment pas vôtre accent français. Mais, si vous voulez vraiment à améliorer vôtre anglais/ricaine, Je veux volontiers skype avec vous avec le autorisation de vos parents. J’ai fait la connaissance du vôtre père à Boston l’année dernière. J’ai besoin d’améliorer mon français aussi. Vous aurez un temps magnifique dans Idaho cet été. Je croyais que ricaine est dérisoire ?
Love this story!
Love this story!
darling post, Kristi. love how you presented the conversation. pour moi, those pesky Rs have gotten in the way a time as well — tarte and Draguignan, most recently. Luckily, I can spell in French 🙂
darling post, Kristi. love how you presented the conversation. pour moi, those pesky Rs have gotten in the way a time as well — tarte and Draguignan, most recently. Luckily, I can spell in French 🙂
I can manage the French /r/ well enough — with one exception. I briefly lived in a rented house near the small Norman town of Athis de l’Orne. That name, as well as the name of the Orne River, are absolutely impossible for me. When I try, it sounds as if I’m gargling, or strangling, or both.
I can manage the French /r/ well enough — with one exception. I briefly lived in a rented house near the small Norman town of Athis de l’Orne. That name, as well as the name of the Orne River, are absolutely impossible for me. When I try, it sounds as if I’m gargling, or strangling, or both.
Having 14 and 12 year old girls, I certainly know what it’s like not to understand “street” language….even if it is a form of American English. By the way, there is a term for hair that is darker all the way to the ends and then gets lighter. It’s called ombre! The term can also be used to describe how eye shadow is applied, too. One of my girls complimented me on how my ombre eye shadow looked one day. I had no idea what she was talking about.
Having 14 and 12 year old girls, I certainly know what it’s like not to understand “street” language….even if it is a form of American English. By the way, there is a term for hair that is darker all the way to the ends and then gets lighter. It’s called ombre! The term can also be used to describe how eye shadow is applied, too. One of my girls complimented me on how my ombre eye shadow looked one day. I had no idea what she was talking about.
I’ve never had a problem with the French “r” but the trilled Italian “r” is something else. The tip of my English tongue just won’t flap fast enough. I am passable if there’s a single “r” but when it’s doubled and you have to sound both of them, I rarely succeed, in spite of all the time I spent when I was first learning (and occasionally still do) saying “rrrrrrrrrrrrr”!
I have also not mastered the American “r” after over 40 years here. I still say Hahvahd (like a Bostonian) instead of Harrrvard like everyone else.
I’ve never had a problem with the French “r” but the trilled Italian “r” is something else. The tip of my English tongue just won’t flap fast enough. I am passable if there’s a single “r” but when it’s doubled and you have to sound both of them, I rarely succeed, in spite of all the time I spent when I was first learning (and occasionally still do) saying “rrrrrrrrrrrrr”!
I have also not mastered the American “r” after over 40 years here. I still say Hahvahd (like a Bostonian) instead of Harrrvard like everyone else.
Dear Kristin,
Kudos for your effort to teach Jackie! Growing up bilingual gives so many advantages, not the least of which is the ability to easily acquire a third language.
My French teacher, a bilingual person who is originally German, used to English to German children. They also had great difficulty with the American “r”. She would tell them to imagine they had green peas on their tongue, and then try to roll the peas against the roof of their mouth. Perhaps her advice can help Jackie.
Good luck with your efforts!
Johanna DeMay
Albuquerque
Dear Kristin,
Kudos for your effort to teach Jackie! Growing up bilingual gives so many advantages, not the least of which is the ability to easily acquire a third language.
My French teacher, a bilingual person who is originally German, used to English to German children. They also had great difficulty with the American “r”. She would tell them to imagine they had green peas on their tongue, and then try to roll the peas against the roof of their mouth. Perhaps her advice can help Jackie.
Good luck with your efforts!
Johanna DeMay
Albuquerque
Another thought: At university, we had a course in Italian phonetics, and the most helpful thing was being given diagrams showing where in your mouth your tongue was supposed to be to make certain sounds or how your lips were supposed to be shaped. Your tongue is placed differently to make an Italian “t” or “l” from where it is to make the sound in English. (It was a real AHA! moment.)
Same is true of “r” in Italian and in French. If Jackie has her tongue positioned for a French “r” she won’t succeed in making an American one. Describe to her where your tongue is and see if she can copy that, and if it helps. It does take a lot of practice before one’s tongue stops defaulting to the native language position.
Another thought: At university, we had a course in Italian phonetics, and the most helpful thing was being given diagrams showing where in your mouth your tongue was supposed to be to make certain sounds or how your lips were supposed to be shaped. Your tongue is placed differently to make an Italian “t” or “l” from where it is to make the sound in English. (It was a real AHA! moment.)
Same is true of “r” in Italian and in French. If Jackie has her tongue positioned for a French “r” she won’t succeed in making an American one. Describe to her where your tongue is and see if she can copy that, and if it helps. It does take a lot of practice before one’s tongue stops defaulting to the native language position.
Yes, tell Jackie that her hairstyle in America is called “ombre.” At least that’s some argot she’ll have. For me, French r’s will be my downfall. I never could roll them in Spanish class either. Thank you for sharing such a sweet teenage moment with us. While her new American friends will love the exotic nature of her foreign accent, teenagers wanting to fit in and not stick out in any way is definitely a universal language. She will do fine in her foreign tongue, just like her mother does.
Yes, tell Jackie that her hairstyle in America is called “ombre.” At least that’s some argot she’ll have. For me, French r’s will be my downfall. I never could roll them in Spanish class either. Thank you for sharing such a sweet teenage moment with us. While her new American friends will love the exotic nature of her foreign accent, teenagers wanting to fit in and not stick out in any way is definitely a universal language. She will do fine in her foreign tongue, just like her mother does.
I suggest that Jackie try saying the r in the back of her mouth – almost in the throat. My French seems to sound better when I move the sounds toward the front of the mouth compared with American English. So perhaps she will do better with English if she moves the sound toward the back.
I suggest that Jackie try saying the r in the back of her mouth – almost in the throat. My French seems to sound better when I move the sounds toward the front of the mouth compared with American English. So perhaps she will do better with English if she moves the sound toward the back.
Merrill, very helpful tip. Will try those middle an end of word rs.
Linda, oh no. Ive dated myself! 🙂
Ken, I was wondering the same: is ricain derisive?
Bruce, keep gargling… Apparently you are on your way to ar r magnifique !
Lark, loved learning the ombre term, which will be useful in writing, too. Will share with Jackie.
Merrill, very helpful tip. Will try those middle an end of word rs.
Linda, oh no. Ive dated myself! 🙂
Ken, I was wondering the same: is ricain derisive?
Bruce, keep gargling… Apparently you are on your way to ar r magnifique !
Lark, loved learning the ombre term, which will be useful in writing, too. Will share with Jackie.
My grandomother with whom I lived and with whom I was not allowed to speak Rnglish used to make me say: RE RA RI RO RU. No idea why vowels are not in order. It’s hard – try it!
I thank her from my heart every day for the gift of a second language that she gave me.
My grandomother with whom I lived and with whom I was not allowed to speak Rnglish used to make me say: RE RA RI RO RU. No idea why vowels are not in order. It’s hard – try it!
I thank her from my heart every day for the gift of a second language that she gave me.