tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post3697222008461642278..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: Language lessons dans Le quartiermaterfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-24073888325064784352014-06-15T11:52:35.638-07:002014-06-15T11:52:35.638-07:00I was delighted at how patient people were as I st...I was delighted at how patient people were as I struggled to resurrect my very ancient French last year in the area around Ribérac and later in Bordeaux. When I mentioned it to an English friend, he said, "Of course they're delighted -- for years they've had to endure Brits who didn't even bother!" I have to admit, there may be something there.<br /><br />This year's vacation is going to be 10 days in San Sebastian, but I'm going back to Bordeaux next summer for a longer visit. It really is the most delightful place, and I found the people just wonderful. <br /><br />Enjoy the rest of your stay!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-90788559079088834332014-06-15T07:44:32.582-07:002014-06-15T07:44:32.582-07:00I know we're very lucky to have this opportuni...I know we're very lucky to have this opportunity, Sue, and I know you'd probably pick up the nuances quickly if you had the same chance. In a two-hour session, I loosen up considerably and vocabulary (which I tend to pick up through reading, a few French novels a year) suddenly works it's way into grammatical structures. All can then be poked and prodded into proper behaviour, but at least I've released them from brain to tongue and out into the world where they're meant to be. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-69234269341472379052014-06-15T07:39:49.152-07:002014-06-15T07:39:49.152-07:00I'm working on my pfft, but I've got "...I'm working on my pfft, but I've got "o la vache!" down, thanks to my good friend Andrea. . .;-) I must say, I do feel more relaxed and even younger here! mercimaterfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-53691797317336409552014-06-15T07:37:33.734-07:002014-06-15T07:37:33.734-07:00It's a very good way for me to experience some...It's a very good way for me to experience some of what the international students in my classes face...and it increases my admiration for them considerably!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-81598837420576837172014-06-15T07:36:28.190-07:002014-06-15T07:36:28.190-07:00Between us we've tried quite a few approaches ...Between us we've tried quite a few approaches over many years of lessons. A tutor for the two of us works well as we're roughly at the same level, although with different (complementary) strengths and weaknesses. Because we stay here for a few weeks, we like the structure of lessons a few days a week. Sounds as if you're enjoying the challenge of your own lessons...especially with the incentive of that trip!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-14060799625472258142014-06-15T07:33:30.189-07:002014-06-15T07:33:30.189-07:00My keyboard does that too, occasionally. I used to...My keyboard does that too, occasionally. I used to know the key combo to switch it back, but now I have to resort to leaving the program and coming back in. . . Good luck!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-82960441825143828932014-06-15T07:32:28.152-07:002014-06-15T07:32:28.152-07:00I will keep that in mind! (And absolutely agree!)I will keep that in mind! (And absolutely agree!)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-46611486728745937462014-06-15T07:31:45.129-07:002014-06-15T07:31:45.129-07:00So glad you're enjoying the posts. And thanks ...So glad you're enjoying the posts. And thanks for the chuckle. . . I didn't think of calling Mme Pharmacienne a Mlle, but I can imagine her face if I had . . . As you suggest, our general experience is so much more positive, so she's easy enough to dismiss.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-39582021483402041712014-06-14T15:23:22.178-07:002014-06-14T15:23:22.178-07:00Oh what I wouldn't give for the kind of extend...Oh what I wouldn't give for the kind of extended language immersion you're enjoying (well, at times). My rudimentary French is enough to get by, but what I wouldn't give to really be able to have a more nuanced conversation at times. Bordeaux looks absolutely stunning.Susan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005855250089328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-5973061063365699462014-06-14T15:06:29.341-07:002014-06-14T15:06:29.341-07:00Your "field work" sounds like fun. I mus...Your "field work" sounds like fun. I must visit Bordeaux. When we speak a second language, it is difficult not to be self-conscious and a bit defensive. Have you mastered the "pfft" and the "ooh-la-la"? Every year, by about a week to ten days of vacation, you start to look younger and more relaxed in your photos. It must be "la belle France"Madame Là-bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16703782237948233124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-63906871080449032842014-06-14T10:36:57.687-07:002014-06-14T10:36:57.687-07:00It is so interesting, finding who we are when we s...It is so interesting, finding who we are when we speak other languages, and when we surrender native fluency.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-35552188076641797292014-06-14T08:37:48.944-07:002014-06-14T08:37:48.944-07:00These encounters are very interesting to me...as I...These encounters are very interesting to me...as I am struggling with my French lessons. I think it is a fabulous plan to have a tutor while in France as you can practise what you have learned!<br />Nice to see the weather is sunny and warm and you look very relaxed. hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-61834240709005215552014-06-14T07:56:53.558-07:002014-06-14T07:56:53.558-07:00You made me smile with your descriptions of the th...You made me smile with your descriptions of the the shoulder shrugging, and that pursed-lip pfft the French do so well. (I would use quotation marks, but my laptop has gone all French on me and inserted è where there should be quotation marks). Odd.<br />Pondsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407539138546412482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-17476634698216406202014-06-14T06:12:30.687-07:002014-06-14T06:12:30.687-07:00OK, I'm a Madame all the way. Mademoiselle is ...OK, I'm a Madame all the way. Mademoiselle is SO fluffy, IMO.K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-4954695468456187702014-06-14T02:07:40.230-07:002014-06-14T02:07:40.230-07:00I'm loving these posts from Bordeaux! We won&#...I'm loving these posts from Bordeaux! We won't get away for our annual and much longed-for visit to France till October, so this is sort of a holiday by proxy! How lovely to be able to combine learning with such pleasurable 'field work', particularly useful, as you suggest, for those quirks not covered in language classes or vocabularies. I must say, I've found many French people only too happy to discuss language and culture, and to do so with charm and animation, but there are always exceptions - and you clearly found one in your pharmacie 'madame' (I think addressing her as 'madamoiselle' might have been the final straw!) Look forward very much to following you on the rest of your trip. <br />RosemaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com