Survival in France with poor level of French?

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Graham I

In areas where there are lots of tourists, such as Paris and Nice, you will easily be able to find people who speak English - after all the vast majority of Americans and Japanese do not speak French, yet shopkeepers and restaurateurs are still keen to get their cash.

The key thing to remember is politeness. When you meet someone, or stop someone to ask for help, or even when you go into a shop, you must ALWAYS say "Bonjour Madame" (if it's a woman over the age of around 25 - if it's a man you say "Bonjour Monsieur" and if it's a girl or woman under 25 say "Bonjour Mademoiselle"). Always say please and thankyou ("s'il vous plait" and "merci"). When you leave say "au revoir". If you bump into someone or have to squeeze past them say "pardon".

If you have to ask directions, find someone who speaks English, as there's no point in listening to directions you don't understand. But get a map and try looking out for signs. I live in Versailles, and frankly it gets slightly irritating when people ask where the chÃ¢teau is as soon as they get off the train - I mean even if they haven't got a map and don't see the signs, you would have thought the steady stream of fellow-tourists would have been a BIT of a clue?

diamonds

yes you can survive there...we holiday'd there & have very basic French...the French people speak very good English in most parts...so go for it..it's a beautiful place!

p.s. they do like it if you make an effort & try to speak their language...& will help you if you muck up!!

creed_nord

Buy a guide with key words and sentences. Try to learn them before arriving.
We're not good at learning foreign languages, so if you need to ask something in English, try to look for the right person. Somebody who might have studied English at school.

Orla C

A lot of French can speak some English.

However, it's a good idea to practise some basic French phrases and make the attempt to use them, most nationalities appreciate this and will go a little bit out of their way to help a foreigner as a consequence. And airports are the place to find people who speak English and other languages nyway, so you'll be fine.

If you are going to be in France for a month, you will definitely start understanding a lot after just a few days, it's just the initial few days that are always a bit hairy ....

Just remember, a smile and a cheery 'Bonjour Madame' or 'Bonjour Monsieur' will help you a lot, as will 'Merci Madame' and 'Merci Monsieur'.

Mag R

Don't worry to much, it's possible to communicate on a minimum level, especially around tourist areas like Paris and Nice and at all airports, at the countryside it can be more difficult so have a good travel dictionary with common phrases on hand.

juun_yukiko

Oh, don't worry, just learn as much as you possibly can. I was in the south of France and the Rivera for a week, and you'll be surprised by how much you can get by with a little bit of French, a little bit of English, and a whole lot of hand gesturing.

The French will appreciate the fact that you're trying to speak their language, though.

Cabal

International airports are bilingual, so yes you can handle airports with English.
Many people in the tourist industry (hotels, restaurants) speak at least some English. Use simple words to start with to see the level of English of the person in front of you. Menus are usually bilingual in restaurants in places seeing a lot of passage.
As for people in the street, try to start with common French politeness,
Bonjour / Au revoir : Mandatory!!!! You don't use it at your own risk but don't be surprised by the cold shoulder answer. Or a pointed 'Bonjour'
Excusez moi, parlez vous anglais : (Excuse me, do you speak English) you'll be surprised by the number of yes you will receive.
French are formal people, not using what is basic courtesy to them can bring up the worst in them. Once you've tamed the courtesy beast they can be very nice. And you can survive quite well.

allononor

trÃ¨s difficile!

Lev Davidovich ;)

In France even some immigration officials don't speak English. I know this from experience, the first time I went there as a language student at the Alliance Francaise. I am talking about Paris CDG, it would be worse if you go outside of Paris. Try to learn at least key phrases that you can use for buying, taking a taxi, complaining at the police, or if in case you need to go to the hospital or to the doctor.

Do your best to pronounce the phrases or words you learn correctly. Of course you can survive a month with minimal French. But you would enjoy your stay better if you can communicate effectively with the locals.

I would not count so much on the fact that International Airports are bilingual. You will be surprised by what you will discover. Well think about this , do you expect most people working at US int'l airports to speak French effectively? No, so the same thing works for many countries like France or China. It's true that the French in general are not very good in learning foreign languages, besides, they are very proud of their language. They have every reason to be proud of their language and history. I have lived for 5 years in the 7th arrondissement in the French Capital so I know this first hand.

The French in general are more polite than Americans even if they seem a little cold. For as long as you observe their way of life, be respectful to everybody and not talk too loud in the Metro and the Restaurants, you will be fine.

I hope you will enjoy your trip.

goobergump

It's always good to learn a decent amount of any foreign language especially if you're going to their homeland. It's like a tourist coming here and trying to get around but can't speak any English. As long as you know the words you need to get around they should help you out. Unfortunately my friend toured in France for a week and he said some people were helpful, others were mean. He actually met a girl down there and they hit up the town and he asked for directions and the girl told him he gave him the completely opposite directions and she cussed him out... I guess that's anywhere you go. I suggest learning a little or bring a dictionary as a sign of respect.

Grinedel

Don't worry nearly all of us speak english. And in airports (and everywhere to be true), the signs are both in french and english. Even in the restaurants you'll find that the menus are written in both english and french. So don't worry, no need to speak french to live in France.

kaykay

Don't worry you can speak english here...
If someone can't answer you, try with another one and you will find someone who speaks english very quickly !

arun d

Yes you can English is understood though not widely spoken!

egroeg44

most french people no english but this is one word that will help
le cheese burger
thats not how its spelt ust say it in a french acsent and thats the actual word for cheese burger OR just say the le burger but if u dont want it with cheese

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