Hello faithful readers–and a warm bonjour to those who have recently signed up to this free word journal. This blog usually goes out three times a week, but we are on a new schedule since the arrival of my mom. For the past three weeks Mom and I have been digging in the garden, enjoying walks by the seaside… braiding wild rosemary through our hair… and making plans for the future–while reminding each other to "be here now" in the present moment, or l'ici et maintenant. (Photos at the end of this post.)
Provence Villa Rental Luberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool. Views of Roussillon. Click here.
Keeping, now, to the theme of this blog–language learning–today's update is to tell you about a wonderful new educational tool brought to you by my friend Lynn, who has written today's column, below. Lynn McBride of the Southern Fried French blog has a new eBook out this week: How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain (at Amazon.com, and available at other Amazon sites). It’s a short eBook for students of any language who want an update on the best techniques for learning, plus reviews of the latest online or traditional resources, and tips from and teachers and other students. Lynn would like to invite all French-Word-A-Day readers to join the virtual book release party over at Southern Fried French - just after you read her How to Chit-Chat in French tips, below….
France and Monaco Rentals: short-term holiday rental properties throughout France and Monaco. Photos here.
We expats know a lot about that. Take, for example, my British friend Pete who meant to ask at the hardware store for 10 meters of chêne (oak), but instead asked for 10 meters of chien (dog). Then there was the time I needed 3 kilos of salmon for a big party (6.6 pounds) and instead asked Monsieur le poissonierfor 3 kilometres of salmon (1.6 MILES). “Madame,” he said, “just what sort of party are you having?”
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My favorite solution is one you may know about: Join the Alliance Française. They have chapters in cities all over the world, and they offer language lessons, conversation groups, and social events with native speakers. Americans can also go to to Meetup.com, where you can look for a French conversation group in your area, or easily start one. The French department at your local university is a great place to find native speaking tutors or conversation groups.
Remember when you were a kid and had a pen pal? You can now have a French pen pal, in a whole new way. Same concept, but you use Skype, Facetime, email, live chat, or the phone to bavarder. You will be both teacher and student; the French speakers want to learn English, so you alternate languages. My Language Exchange is an example of a site where you can find partners. View their photos, read their stories, and pick a partner who interests you. I’ve got many more such sites listed in my book, plus reviews of packaged programs that feature all kids of interactive learning on the internet.
The coolest idea for live talking practice is one that’s taking France and England by a storm, and I hope it will come to the states. It’s called Franglish, and it uses the “speed dating” model for language learning. Franglish events are held regularly at cafés or bars. You sit down with a French person and chat in French 7 minutes, then in English for 7 minutes, then you rotate to a new partner. What fun! If you’re traveling to Europe and want to try it, be sure to book in advance. And I hope you’ll check out my new book, which has MANY more ideas for you on learning French as an adult, from beginners on up to advanced students. Bon courage, and I hope to see you at the book release party!
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Thanks, Lynn, for this fun and helpful post on chatting in French. Reading your book How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain was a wonderful refreshment for me. After writing about French words for ten years, I sometimes experience the "shoemaker's children syndrome" wherein my own French is lacking while I'm teaching others vocabulary! I would highly recommend your book to anyone wanting to recapture the fun and excitement of language learning. Best wishes to you on this, your book launch day! –Kristin
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A favorite photo of my Mom, who I'll have the chance to spend French Mother's Day with, on Sunday!
Are you noticing a "cape" theme? That's because my Mom yearns to fly….
Uncle Jacques came over to help clear the olive orchard of its felled branches. It was a massive two-day job. After, Jacques relaxed with Mom, enjoying photos of her home and her animals in Mexico.
Mom, making friends on the beach. To leave a comment, click here.
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One from an English neighbour . We had been to Austria in our caravan & her neighbour (whom we also knew ) asked her where we had gone . ‘Oh to Australie’ she replied . ‘COMMENT!’, was the astounded reply !!
One from an English neighbour . We had been to Austria in our caravan & her neighbour (whom we also knew ) asked her where we had gone . ‘Oh to Australie’ she replied . ‘COMMENT!’, was the astounded reply !!
In the Montparnasse cemetery I was searching for the grave of Degas. I went to the office and asked (several times)for the “carte” (menu) rather than the “plan” map. Needless to say the attendant looked at me with some horror.
In the Montparnasse cemetery I was searching for the grave of Degas. I went to the office and asked (several times)for the “carte” (menu) rather than the “plan” map. Needless to say the attendant looked at me with some horror.
When living in Paris for a 3 month sabbatical, my husband (non-French speaking) and I came to the end of our dinner and I, speaking quite confidently, asked our waiter for “la poubelle.” [garbage] He looked quite quizzically at me and asked if I “meant the pourboire?”[dinner check] As he walked into the kitchen, I heard peals of laughter and as he returned from the kitchen with the check in hand, he burst out laughing once more.
When living in Paris for a 3 month sabbatical, my husband (non-French speaking) and I came to the end of our dinner and I, speaking quite confidently, asked our waiter for “la poubelle.” [garbage] He looked quite quizzically at me and asked if I “meant the pourboire?”[dinner check] As he walked into the kitchen, I heard peals of laughter and as he returned from the kitchen with the check in hand, he burst out laughing once more.
At my very first dinner during my first year in France living with a count and countess in Paris, I remarked as the hostess tried to offer me more of the sumptuous meal “Non merci, je suis tellement pleine!” I thought I was letting them know how full I was and that I couldn’t possibly eat another morsel. Little did I know I was insinuating that I was pregnant. Needless to say my hosts were momentarily taken aback … fortunately they had a good sense of humor and delighted in correcting my mistake!
At my very first dinner during my first year in France living with a count and countess in Paris, I remarked as the hostess tried to offer me more of the sumptuous meal “Non merci, je suis tellement pleine!” I thought I was letting them know how full I was and that I couldn’t possibly eat another morsel. Little did I know I was insinuating that I was pregnant. Needless to say my hosts were momentarily taken aback … fortunately they had a good sense of humor and delighted in correcting my mistake!
I was speaking with my French friend, Anne. I told her that I saw a movie and that I was alone. “J’étais saoule.” She started laughing because it meant that I was drunk! I should have said “J’étais seule.” She told me that she was learning English and German and got mixed up when she went to Germany. Instead of asking for a sandwich “mit Käse” she asked for a sandwich “mit Scheiße”. Not a sandwich with cheese, but a sandwich with sh*t. I told her that I hoped they didn’t give that to her!
I was speaking with my French friend, Anne. I told her that I saw a movie and that I was alone. “J’étais saoule.” She started laughing because it meant that I was drunk! I should have said “J’étais seule.” She told me that she was learning English and German and got mixed up when she went to Germany. Instead of asking for a sandwich “mit Käse” she asked for a sandwich “mit Scheiße”. Not a sandwich with cheese, but a sandwich with sh*t. I told her that I hoped they didn’t give that to her!
At l’ecole de Lange in Sancerre. I explained to our teacher that I had had an interesting conversation with a middle aged man. “A man from the middle ages? ” she replied.
At l’ecole de Lange in Sancerre. I explained to our teacher that I had had an interesting conversation with a middle aged man. “A man from the middle ages? ” she replied.
While in Pamplona, speaking to the bartender en espanol, I tried to explain a volunteer event I had directed. I told him there were “tres mil voluntarios”. He asked “tres milliones?” and I was so eager to please, I agreed that I’d actually directed 3 million volunteers instead of the actual 3,000.
While in Pamplona, speaking to the bartender en espanol, I tried to explain a volunteer event I had directed. I told him there were “tres mil voluntarios”. He asked “tres milliones?” and I was so eager to please, I agreed that I’d actually directed 3 million volunteers instead of the actual 3,000.
Thanks for some great laughs. We all have had the blooper experience but the worst thing is, as Lynn said, when the foreign language person starts talking back. Most of the time they understand me but I can’t begin to follow them. Perhaps the scariest is the telephone call. At least in person you can gesture or draw a picture or something. I asked someone speaking another language why they talked so fast and he said that English speakers seem to be talking fast to him. I pass people in stores who are rattling away in Spanish or Arabic and I have no idea what they’re talking about. They say that English is one of the hardest languages to learn. Spanish and German seem easier to learn than French. I think it’s partly because pronunciation is so hard in French.
So great to see Jules, who always looks tres jolie. Happy Mother’s Day to you both.
Thanks for some great laughs. We all have had the blooper experience but the worst thing is, as Lynn said, when the foreign language person starts talking back. Most of the time they understand me but I can’t begin to follow them. Perhaps the scariest is the telephone call. At least in person you can gesture or draw a picture or something. I asked someone speaking another language why they talked so fast and he said that English speakers seem to be talking fast to him. I pass people in stores who are rattling away in Spanish or Arabic and I have no idea what they’re talking about. They say that English is one of the hardest languages to learn. Spanish and German seem easier to learn than French. I think it’s partly because pronunciation is so hard in French.
So great to see Jules, who always looks tres jolie. Happy Mother’s Day to you both.
I dated a French man here in the US for some time and became close to his family. I started studying French and one year I sent his mother a Christmas card. In it I thought I wrote “I hope you are well.” It apparently translated to something like “I hope you are in your well”, which was funny because she had an old well in her backyard. Her son explained what I really meant, and we laughed about it for a long time.
I dated a French man here in the US for some time and became close to his family. I started studying French and one year I sent his mother a Christmas card. In it I thought I wrote “I hope you are well.” It apparently translated to something like “I hope you are in your well”, which was funny because she had an old well in her backyard. Her son explained what I really meant, and we laughed about it for a long time.
Your mom looks wonderful — she looks so happy! Have fun together.
I just bought the e-book — thanks!
When I lived in Germany, I took some German classes. At a local gasthaus I thought I would order in German. I asked for the menu, which is “speisenkarte” but did not say that —- I ordered a “bustenhalter” a bra!!! Ha! The waiter said: please speak English.
Happy French Mother’s day to you both! Stay well!
Your mom looks wonderful — she looks so happy! Have fun together.
I just bought the e-book — thanks!
When I lived in Germany, I took some German classes. At a local gasthaus I thought I would order in German. I asked for the menu, which is “speisenkarte” but did not say that —- I ordered a “bustenhalter” a bra!!! Ha! The waiter said: please speak English.
Happy French Mother’s day to you both! Stay well!
I love your photos. Thanks for sharing them. And Happy Mothers Day to you and your mom.
I love your photos. Thanks for sharing them. And Happy Mothers Day to you and your mom.
P.S. I love your mom’s wardrobe (from this and previous posts) !
P.S. I love your mom’s wardrobe (from this and previous posts) !
First, do Braise and Smokey get to go to the beach and fetch balls?
On my last visit to France we were in I think Clermont and looking for a place to stay. We stopped at what appeared to be an information place. My sister went in and I asked about a small place to stay in my broken French. The woman was very kind, and asked me if I spoke French as she didn’t speak English. I said “une petite peu”. So she started in: took me to a big wall map and said “ici” (where we were at that moment), then went on at an unbelievable pace. I caught the words “eglise” “rue” “a droite” and many more. All the while she is sort of writing something down and I am nodding my head and saying “oui” every so often. When she was done I thanked her so very much,took the piece of paper and we went outside. My sister looked at me and said “I want to know how much of that you really understood” My comment “I want to know what she didn’t understand about ‘Une petite peu'”? Needless to say we didn’t even look for the place because I did figure out it was somewhere in the woods on top of a mountain and she said it would take about an hour. It was getting late so we just stayed at the Ibis down the road and went into the town for a good dinner.
First, do Braise and Smokey get to go to the beach and fetch balls?
On my last visit to France we were in I think Clermont and looking for a place to stay. We stopped at what appeared to be an information place. My sister went in and I asked about a small place to stay in my broken French. The woman was very kind, and asked me if I spoke French as she didn’t speak English. I said “une petite peu”. So she started in: took me to a big wall map and said “ici” (where we were at that moment), then went on at an unbelievable pace. I caught the words “eglise” “rue” “a droite” and many more. All the while she is sort of writing something down and I am nodding my head and saying “oui” every so often. When she was done I thanked her so very much,took the piece of paper and we went outside. My sister looked at me and said “I want to know how much of that you really understood” My comment “I want to know what she didn’t understand about ‘Une petite peu'”? Needless to say we didn’t even look for the place because I did figure out it was somewhere in the woods on top of a mountain and she said it would take about an hour. It was getting late so we just stayed at the Ibis down the road and went into the town for a good dinner.
As a young Officer in France in the early ’60’s my friend, from the Deep South, and I frequented sandwich bars where one could get a hot or cold sandwich. My friend, in his best French, ordered a “jambon et fromage sandwich”. The server inquired, “chaud”? My friend answered, “Sho’nuff”.
As a young Officer in France in the early ’60’s my friend, from the Deep South, and I frequented sandwich bars where one could get a hot or cold sandwich. My friend, in his best French, ordered a “jambon et fromage sandwich”. The server inquired, “chaud”? My friend answered, “Sho’nuff”.
hmm I thought I just posted something? Oh, well.
Do Braise and Smokey get to go to the beach and fetch the ball?
hmm I thought I just posted something? Oh, well.
Do Braise and Smokey get to go to the beach and fetch the ball?
Your mom oozes elegance! Happy Mother’s Day to both of you.
Your mom oozes elegance! Happy Mother’s Day to both of you.
Many years ago, at the end of dinner at a restaurant in Monaco the waiter asked me “Terminez?” I responded “Oui, je SUIS terminee” At which point the waiter and my dinner companion both burst out laughing. The waiter made a motion with his index finger across his neck, miming slitting his throat, and winked. My friend explained that I hadn’t said “Yes, I’m done” as I’d intended (j’AI termine’) I’d said “Yes, I’m done for”
Many years ago, at the end of dinner at a restaurant in Monaco the waiter asked me “Terminez?” I responded “Oui, je SUIS terminee” At which point the waiter and my dinner companion both burst out laughing. The waiter made a motion with his index finger across his neck, miming slitting his throat, and winked. My friend explained that I hadn’t said “Yes, I’m done” as I’d intended (j’AI termine’) I’d said “Yes, I’m done for”
A second grader was learning about taking care of his teeth. We talked about brushing and flossing. At the end of class, the teacher asked,”What is one important thing you can do?” The child answered, It’s important to flush.” I had to agree, flushing is important. We all had a god natured laugh.
Who could forget Peter Sellers (Pink Panther movies) in a hotel asking for a ‘rhume’ to give a French ring to ‘room’!
A second grader was learning about taking care of his teeth. We talked about brushing and flossing. At the end of class, the teacher asked,”What is one important thing you can do?” The child answered, It’s important to flush.” I had to agree, flushing is important. We all had a god natured laugh.
Who could forget Peter Sellers (Pink Panther movies) in a hotel asking for a ‘rhume’ to give a French ring to ‘room’!
Happy Mother’s Day to two beautiful women.
xxoxo
Happy Mother’s Day to two beautiful women.
xxoxo
I arrived in Collioue, very little French, went down to the beach to get chaises for our family and asked, in my perfect French (I thought) “Je voudrais louer trois matelos, s’il vous plait.” To which Pierre (the owner of the beach establishment, with whom I was to become great friends, replied, “Madame est-ce-que touts pour vous?” And I said, “Oui, bien sur!” And he, twinkling, said, “I think you meant ‘trois matelas’, no?” So with my order for four sailors on my first day in France, I looked forward to more bloopers that topped that one!
I arrived in Collioue, very little French, went down to the beach to get chaises for our family and asked, in my perfect French (I thought) “Je voudrais louer trois matelos, s’il vous plait.” To which Pierre (the owner of the beach establishment, with whom I was to become great friends, replied, “Madame est-ce-que touts pour vous?” And I said, “Oui, bien sur!” And he, twinkling, said, “I think you meant ‘trois matelas’, no?” So with my order for four sailors on my first day in France, I looked forward to more bloopers that topped that one!
Happy Mother’s Day to both of you! I love the new pictures of Jules and as much as I miss checking in on you, it is even more heart warming to watch the two of you catch-up.
I will be extremely busy the next four months and will not have a lot of time to check in. I am taking care of our two grandchildren,(3 months and 3 years old) in addition to working at our weekend business and setting up my future tutoring business. I do hope to at least read the posts weekly, hope you miss me as much as I will miss you!
Happy Mother’s Day to both of you! I love the new pictures of Jules and as much as I miss checking in on you, it is even more heart warming to watch the two of you catch-up.
I will be extremely busy the next four months and will not have a lot of time to check in. I am taking care of our two grandchildren,(3 months and 3 years old) in addition to working at our weekend business and setting up my future tutoring business. I do hope to at least read the posts weekly, hope you miss me as much as I will miss you!
We had settled in at our hotel in Paris one afternoon when the house-keeper came to clean the room. I went to the door and asked for “seulement les assiettes” two or three times instead of “les serviettes”! The housekeeper had a blank look on her face but finally figured out my meaning and handed me a stack of towels. “Serviettes” must have been one of the words I learned in French 101, but I was easily flustered in those days if there was no chance to rehearse my sentence mentally ahead of time!
We had settled in at our hotel in Paris one afternoon when the house-keeper came to clean the room. I went to the door and asked for “seulement les assiettes” two or three times instead of “les serviettes”! The housekeeper had a blank look on her face but finally figured out my meaning and handed me a stack of towels. “Serviettes” must have been one of the words I learned in French 101, but I was easily flustered in those days if there was no chance to rehearse my sentence mentally ahead of time!
Our dear Kristi,
What beautiful pictures!
Jules is gorgeous and you are so very much her daughter!
Have a wonderful Mom’s Day together!
Hugs to you both!
Natalia
PS Ordered Lynn’s book and looking forward to enjoying it!
Our dear Kristi,
What beautiful pictures!
Jules is gorgeous and you are so very much her daughter!
Have a wonderful Mom’s Day together!
Hugs to you both!
Natalia
PS Ordered Lynn’s book and looking forward to enjoying it!
Wonderful linguistic faux pas! We’ve all been there.
I had arrived in Florence and eager to have a light meal I asked the waiter for
insalata del pomeriggio( mistaking the word ” afternoon ” for pomodori, which is tomatoes.)
The waiter winked and responded: “How many minutes would you like?”
Wonderful linguistic faux pas! We’ve all been there.
I had arrived in Florence and eager to have a light meal I asked the waiter for
insalata del pomeriggio( mistaking the word ” afternoon ” for pomodori, which is tomatoes.)
The waiter winked and responded: “How many minutes would you like?”
Thanks Lynn for the great post! Fun ways to learn French! I love the photos too Kristi! Enjoy Mother’s Day together!
Thanks Lynn for the great post! Fun ways to learn French! I love the photos too Kristi! Enjoy Mother’s Day together!