Do they understand English in Paris? Or is it important to know French?

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sotires

It really depends on what you want to do. If you only want to go to the usual tourist places, then you can get by with just English. If you want to go just a little off the beaten track [it always amazes me whenever I am in the are around the Sacre Coeur, how the tourists all stick to the same few streets. Just walk a couple of meters off the tourist path and the numbers dwindle] and chat to the locals, then knowing French will help. In any case, you should learn the very basic words, for hello, goodbye, thank you and a few numbers. That is nothing more than simple politeness (a difficult concept for many natives of Bush country). The natives will then be so delighted that they will be eager to show off how much English they remember from their schooldays. But after a while they will get fed up of it and just chat to their friends. So if you want to go any further than the opening gambit, you will need French.

jack.hague

The French have been pegged as hating Americans. The truth is if you learn a few phreses and attempt to speak their language, they will bend over backward for you. They are only rude to the loud,arrogant americans who go to another country and expect them to speak a foreign language.

Rillifane

According to a survey of French adults, conducted by French market research institute IFOP for the weekly newspaper Dimanche Ouest France in 2004, only 34 percent of those questioned said they did not speak English at all.

Twelve percent said they were fluent in English, six percent said they understood and spoke it well, and 48 percent said they "more or less" understood English but did not speak it fluently.

This does not detract from the importance of speaking at least some French while visiting in France if for no other reason than it is the polite thing to do when a visitor in another country.

The French are more formal about language than English speakers and many of them shy away from speaking English for fear of making errors when they speak.

If you break the ice with even the most broken French they will be more comfortable with venturing a reply in their own less than perfect English.

uhohh

French people have been known to dislike Americans because of the war, but they also have been known to help you if you try to speak in French. So I would actually try to speak in French because it shows you're willing to try their language. Just learn basic french phrases and words like "bonjour" (hello), "parlez-vouz anglais?" (do you speak english), "merci" (thank you). wordreference.com is a good site to translate english words into french.

marie s

It is important to learn French while traveling in France. A lot of people do speak English, but not everywhere. When traveling; as long as you put forth some effort, people are very gracious and helpful.

leah w

The French as a rule dislike Americans because of how we treated them when they wouldn't join the Iraq war. That's the stereotype but it doesn't hold up too long if you actually make an effort to prove to them that you're not an arrogant bastard who is going to treat them like French trash. My French host family (who I love dearly and will forever be grateful too) loved me because despite the fact that I spoke about no French, I TRIED to communicate with them. Many French people speak Spanish and that's what I know. So I spoke to my host father and mother in Spanish because I'm almost fluent. One of my host brothers was fluent in English but he still took pride in the fact that I was making an effort to meet my family half way. It is important to understand that the rigor of French teaching is a recent change; it wasn't until about 20 years ago that the study of English became mandatory at age 8 so many adults will not know English. However most of the young people do; but I have to drive this point home...if you know another language, any other EUROPEAN language...use it.

Titi

The French learn English at school for 8 years on average but they can't speak much English. I am Australian living in France, and from my experience they prefer you speak to them in broken French then the whole conversation in English.

I think they understand more than be able to speak. I feel like I have no choice but I have to make real effort to speak all in French, because their English level is really low compare to Dutchs and Germans. There are French who can speak English but not everyone.

nayth_x

Ofcourse they understand English in Paris!
It is one of the major capitals of the world, and if they didn't speak English, they wouldn't get very far at all!

Nick

french do not speak english.... trust me.... I AM FRENCH and I LOVE English, but most of the people here don't make any effort and will not understand you in english!!!!! plus, movies here are dubbed in French so they won't understand you at all!!! Some people know the basics but honestly try French! and don't worry about the mistakes! French pple prefer american trying French than american talking American in FRANCE!!! but whatever you choose to speak.... HAVE A VERY GOOD TIME IN FRANCE!

BIG D

Oui.
Bien sure,

sassy2

Europeans understand and speak English well. Do not try another language unless your are fluent. It is embarrassing to all when Americans butcher another language.

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