First off, Call My Agent. Love that show. I'm studying French on Duolingo too (and now Portuguese - impossible pronunciations, much easier language to learn) and I still didn't get what the F they're saying on that show. Subtitles in French is bad ass. Happy to hear that when I visit you guys I can call myself a pussy all day long and no one will fault me for it.
Once you move over here and travel around France more, I think you'll find that the French overall have become much more relaxed and open-minded about foreigners speaking French. I've seen a huge evolution from when I first came to France in 1989 and now. Even in Paris, they tend to be more receptive and tolerant, and generally French people appreciate the effort made by non-French speakers (whereas it used to feel like they enjoyed pouncing on mistakes and making a mockery of non-francophones ;) )
I feel this. Also learned French BECAUSE of going to Lecoq/ Paris, despite not being at all enamored with the French. Weirdly, I stayed there four years total and ended up with moderately fluent French, considering. Which I use almost never, except to watch Call My Agent. I've often thought I'd love to go back, but not to Paris, to the south. Also i think it would be better to return as an older woman (being 20-something in Paris SUCKED. Just constant sexual harassment.) I think it's so neat what you are doing!
Former client of Roberto's here! My best friend is a professor at UT in the French department. She spent much of 2003-2018 in France including Montpellier. I got to visit a handful of times so I've seen the lovely town you're retiring to! You all are inspiring my own retirement visions. Anyway, I shared your post with my pal yesterday. One of her close friends in Paris was an Australian woman who attended the same drama school as Carolyn. She has written a memoir about the very struggles she had there and with the language. I thought you would get a kick out of that and maybe want to ready her book! https://www.amazon.com/Paris-or-Die/dp/1741176743
I look forward to continuing to follow your adventures!
Oooh. Thank you! I had no idea someone had written a memoir that included LeCoq. I shouldn't be surprised. It scarred a lot of people :) I will definitely read the book.
I discovered your Substack this morning, and I’m hooked! Two years ago our son moved to Strasbourg with his French girlfriend and I suspect one day there might be the patter of petits pieds for them. So future Granny Scotland is embracing all things Français! First it was the wine, then food, now I’ve moved on to the language. I’m very proud of my 105 day streak on Duolingo, although much too embarrassed to use any of it during a trip to Paris last week! I just wanted to say thank you for alerting me to the Duolingo podcasts, I had no idea they were a thing and I intend to start listening straight away….or at least once I’ve stopped reading your Substack….only another 18 months to catch up on! Merci beaucoup
Cette histoire est parfait. Merci.
First off, Call My Agent. Love that show. I'm studying French on Duolingo too (and now Portuguese - impossible pronunciations, much easier language to learn) and I still didn't get what the F they're saying on that show. Subtitles in French is bad ass. Happy to hear that when I visit you guys I can call myself a pussy all day long and no one will fault me for it.
Once you move over here and travel around France more, I think you'll find that the French overall have become much more relaxed and open-minded about foreigners speaking French. I've seen a huge evolution from when I first came to France in 1989 and now. Even in Paris, they tend to be more receptive and tolerant, and generally French people appreciate the effort made by non-French speakers (whereas it used to feel like they enjoyed pouncing on mistakes and making a mockery of non-francophones ;) )
I feel this. Also learned French BECAUSE of going to Lecoq/ Paris, despite not being at all enamored with the French. Weirdly, I stayed there four years total and ended up with moderately fluent French, considering. Which I use almost never, except to watch Call My Agent. I've often thought I'd love to go back, but not to Paris, to the south. Also i think it would be better to return as an older woman (being 20-something in Paris SUCKED. Just constant sexual harassment.) I think it's so neat what you are doing!
We need to start a little French movie club. I've been dying to get together again!
And yes, there is a big difference being in France as a madame and not a mademoiselle, for sure.
Former client of Roberto's here! My best friend is a professor at UT in the French department. She spent much of 2003-2018 in France including Montpellier. I got to visit a handful of times so I've seen the lovely town you're retiring to! You all are inspiring my own retirement visions. Anyway, I shared your post with my pal yesterday. One of her close friends in Paris was an Australian woman who attended the same drama school as Carolyn. She has written a memoir about the very struggles she had there and with the language. I thought you would get a kick out of that and maybe want to ready her book! https://www.amazon.com/Paris-or-Die/dp/1741176743
I look forward to continuing to follow your adventures!
Oooh. Thank you! I had no idea someone had written a memoir that included LeCoq. I shouldn't be surprised. It scarred a lot of people :) I will definitely read the book.
Also, I would love to meet your French professor friend! We should all have dinner.
I discovered your Substack this morning, and I’m hooked! Two years ago our son moved to Strasbourg with his French girlfriend and I suspect one day there might be the patter of petits pieds for them. So future Granny Scotland is embracing all things Français! First it was the wine, then food, now I’ve moved on to the language. I’m very proud of my 105 day streak on Duolingo, although much too embarrassed to use any of it during a trip to Paris last week! I just wanted to say thank you for alerting me to the Duolingo podcasts, I had no idea they were a thing and I intend to start listening straight away….or at least once I’ve stopped reading your Substack….only another 18 months to catch up on! Merci beaucoup