Bridging the language gap

As the Internet brings the world to our doorsteps and international economies become increasingly entwined, a growing number of Americans are leaving the country for extended stays abroad - to study, to work, or even to retire. Many have chosen France as their destination.

What an exciting opportunity! France is rich in culture and history. Total immersion in French society offers more than anything found in Fodor's travel guide. There will, of course, be adjustments to make, especially if you plan to stay for more than a month or two. Three things not to leave behind are curiosity, an open mind, and a pocket sized English-French dictionary.

Understanding and speaking at least some French is the obvious starting point for survival outside of English-speaking social circles. Unlike years ago, ordering in a restaurant is no longer the challenge it once was. Quite often, the waiter will coolly respond in English to your attempted massacre of his native tongue. Beyond that, most other daily encounters, whether buying stamps at the post office, taking a road test to obtain your French driving license or just going to the marché, require more understanding of the language.

Once you have built up a basic vocabulary, you may encounter a linguistic trap or two. A French friend recently recounted a story his neighborhood butcher likes to tell. An American customer one day wanted to buy chicken breasts. Having memorized and rehearsed the French phrase, he eagerly placed his order, "Deux seins de poulet, s'il vous plaît." Imagine how he must have felt when the butcher nearly doubled over in laughter. The mistake, explained the butcher to his somewhat perplexed customer, is that the French word for "breast" (sein) is not used for chickens. "Have you ever seen," he added, "a chicken with breasts?"

Embarrassing moments aside, communicating effectively is the key to an enjoyable séjour abroad. Your pocket dictionary is indispensable. Words are everywhere and in most cases do not come with an English translation. You never know when you will need to find the word for zucchini (courgette), clock (horloge), or your car's headlight (phare).

You may already know some French. You can also learn or improve with a few classes once you arrive in France or even before you leave the U.S. Many private schools tailor their courses to fit your lifestyle (e.g. business, technology) as well as your schedule. Alliance Française offers small-group classes at reasonable rates at locations all over the world, including most major U.S. cities.

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