Do I need to know French?

[metoo4]

If you go to France and speak the exact same french you find in Saguenay or some parts of Montreal, you'll get lots of peoples who won't have a clue what you're saying.
It's all part of regionalities. Same with English, French developped differently in Quebec than it did in France. It is some kind of a distinct language, while retaining lots of the particularities of the original. Also notice the spoken language vary more than the written.

 

[Wombat2]

"Some will give you an attitude because you dared spoke english in a francophone province"

While when I'm in Quebec, I try to speak some french (I tend to massacre the language with my lazy english tongue)

While not necessary, it is a nice touch to be able to greet a girl with a 'Bon soir' and to know some basic phrases. Most will compliment your attempt at speaking French, some may playfully tease you, but I think all will appreciate the effort.

Just Chilling, as far as I'm concerned these two quotes hit the nail on the head. No one expects you to be fluent in French, but making the effort is what counts. Frequently if you use your bad French the person you're speaking with either answer you in English or ask if you wish to speak English.

 

[jackyo8193]

As Colonel Higgins says in My Fair Lady: Its not what you say, its whether you pronounce it properly

 

[Wombat2]

As Colonel Higgins says in My Fair Lady: Its not what you say, its whether you pronounce it properly

True enough if one is flower girl being passed off as a Duchess, or are attempting to pass as a native. However, I've found that although it is very nice to have good pronunciation, making the effort also counts for something. There are people in every culture who "enjoy" making life difficult for foreigners, but fortunately they are generally the minority.

 

[metoo4]

There are people in every culture who "enjoy" making life difficult for foreigners, but fortunately they are generally the minority.

Personally, I'll never give a hard time to somobody who at least try! And I think those who do give them a hard time are plain stupid! This work both way, English to French and vice-versa.

 

[ck_nj]

I enjoy to practice my French whenever I can, including starting a conversation in French if I can (and if I am not nervous at the time).
My knowledge of French is basic. I took a couple of semesters of Adult school French classes, but many years of learning and speaking Spanish helped me as well.

Whenever the conversation is too difficult for me to understand, I will say "Je suis désolé, je ne parle pas français bien. Parlez-vous anglais ?"
It means "I am sorry, I do not speak French well. Do you speak English?" This phrase has helped me a lot, especially when I am a little nervous, and I forget to talk LOL.

But Wombat2 has a point too. I made myself try to master the proper pronunciation of my French, so that it shows I have respect for the language, and to show that I enjoy speaking it.
So knowing a little of any foreign language goes a long way....

 

[sadbuttrue]

You dont have to know french to visit Montreal, I do find that French-Canadian are the most friendliest people around and will go out of their way to help you. Having said that it is customary courteous for you to attempt to learn as much as possible. Americans expect others to speak english when they come to the states it is as polite to learn french when you're in Montreal/Quebec. You dont have to learn everything but a few phrases here and there will let the people know that you respect their cultures and at least make an attempt to learn. You know the old saying " when In Rome".

Agreed on all counts! I love Montreal and the sound of French being spoken on the streets.

About the only time I felt bad about not speaking French was with Jenny (now of MontrealHotAngels), and although she does speak English, remarked, "If you are going to speak English, speak slowly". That is a beauty you want to please.

So when I got home from that trip started to learn some...

-Sad-

 

[metoo4]

ZoneAlarm, how can it be ok for somebody who's born and raised in Quebec and who's family's been in Quebec for generations not to speak French? There's plenty of these peoples in Quebec! So, it's ok for them not to want to speak French but it's not ok for a guy from Chicoutimi who's not being able to speak English?

Don't I see a nonsense here? Or plain "i don't care about French" attitude?

Ok, my blood pressure is raising again, I won't comment further...

 

[alfonso]

Metoo4:

Maybe I've had too much wine.....but WTF are you trying to say? ;-)

I'll reread this in the morning when I'm sober....maybe I'll make sense of it then. In the meantime, bottoms up!

Adios!

 

[joelcairo]

ZoneAlarm, how can it be ok for somebody who's born and raised in Quebec and who's family's been in Quebec for generations not to speak French? There's plenty of these peoples in Quebec! So, it's ok for them not to want to speak French but it's not ok for a guy from Chicoutimi who's not being able to speak English?

Don't I see a nonsense here? Or plain "i don't care about French" attitude?

Ok, my blood pressure is raising again, I won't comment further...

Now now moiaussiquatre, if you want to lower your blood pressure just go read some bilingual signs. The sight of the French being twice the size of the English will probably make you feel a whole lot better. Cheers!

 

[metoo4]

Naa! The sight of the English alone raise my blood pressure. (NOT!!)

It's the fact that, some peoples complain they don't get services or jobs in Quebec because they don't speak French when, myself, I often have to insist to be served in french IN MONTREAL! THAT pisses me off! Anybody who want a job in Quebec must expect to be asked to speak French. It's no surprise and totally normal and acceptable. And those who say they can't get services in English at all are either liars or are acting as such ass, nobody want to help them.

My "language" blood pressure usually goes down immediately when I get to Ontario, where I don't mind seeing English signs and speaking English, until I realize that Montreal have more bilingual signs than the entire Ontario then, it goes way back up again...

 

[xineph]

It has always surprised me, when a frencman can sing an entire english song, but then you try to speak to them in english....and its like "Je comprends pas?

 

[metoo4]

Since when do you need to understand the lyrics in order to sing a song? It's all about memorizing, not understanding.