Thursday, October 1, 2009

A French Wednesday

So...we had our first day of speaking French yesterday!

Some of you have posted or emailed me and said "why don't you do it everyday?" While I can see how this would be a good idea, in practice it's pretty hard. For instance; Cyr wanted to tell me about something that happened at his work. He is an engineer in the oil and gas business. I don't understand most of what he does when he speaks English, so in French...super frustrating. I admit, we too some time to talk in English about a few important items, but then went back to French.

We actually did a pretty good job! I think I learned a few things that will hopefully be reinforced tomorrow when we have Day 2 of The French Language Project. There was a funny moment; Cyr was in the hall trying to tell me something in French. But he was looking at me with his head tilted to the side, brows furrowed, rubbing his tummy and speaking in a very halting and slow way, like he couldn't think of the words. It was so funny, it was like he couldn't speak French to me, literally! He looks at my face and English comes to his brain, he said it's pretty strange to speak only French to me, but he'll get used to it.

I guess I should also admit that part of the reason I wanted to start this now is that we are going back to France in October and I really want to be in the groove of speaking the language and maybe improve a bit before we get there. We will get to travel around a bit and then get to see his Mom and brother for a few days. I'm really looking forward to it. It's strange because I don't know them very well when it comes down to it, but I really like learning more about them. Getting to know about personalities and what makes them laugh and what doesn't. Plus she is a fantastic cook. Uh...yum...

So there you go. It was not 100% French Day, but I would say it was closing in on 75%. Tomorrow will be even better.

4 comments:

Isabelle said...

Bravo Susan pour ta journée en français ! Continue comme ça et félicitations pour ta motivation :)

Steph said...

Maybe you should start blogging in French on French days :) Just sayin'

You are going to France?? So jealous.

Susan in Lille said...

Thank you ladies!
Uhh...Steph...I can't spell in English, you guys would hate to read my French! Besides...it would be all google translate anyway. I don't know if I could stop myself from cheating...

shakesrear said...

Hi, just discovered your blog. I'm an American in France too. I know how it is. I met my Frenchman in England and I didn't know a word of French. When we moved to France, he wouldn't speak to me in French until I could already speak well and hold a whole conversation. It took around 6 months.