What To Know Before You Start Learning To Speak French
Every year, France receives more visitors than any other nation in the world
. This extreme popularity drives many people to learn French now. There are many reasons to recommend this, especially for those who intend to travel there. Even for armchair travelers, some knowledge of this language can really pay off.Not too long ago, as many French people point out, French was the language of literature, law, fashion and much more. To a certain extent, it still is. However, English has become the lingua franca in much of the world. Despite this change, the French are still very proud of their language, which often seems rude to visitors. However, just learning a few expressions can go a long way in bridging this cultural gap.
For short-term tourists to France, basic expressions can turn interactions with locals from sour to friendly. Visitors may find that the French put great value on polite greetings and interactions, even among strangers. When entering a store, a quick hello, in French of course, can indicate that you have tried to do the minimum. If not, you could be treated coldly for the rest of your visit to the establishment. Even for these superficial interactions, "hello", "goodbye" and "thank you" can make all the difference.
A major concern for many learners is the pronunciation. It is true that French is not easy to pronounce correctly, even for more advanced learners. However, once you know the pronunciation, you should not get down on yourself about small errors. One thing to keep in mind is that there are speakers from all over the world who have added their own nuances to the language over time. Perfect Parisian French may not be rolling off your tongue but people should still be able to understand. Using language training may help with this.
Another big obstacle to becoming proficient at French is the sheer number of conjugations. Even just in the present tense, these can be intimidating. If you can break them up into distinct groups, you will find memorization a little easier. As for the irregulars, only practice can really drill them into your mind. A lot of good books, CDs and software provide ways to practice on your own.
In addition, learning the different levels of formality in French is essential to really master it. However, you can take a focused approach to this area. First, assess your objectives regarding learning this language. This will guide your approach. If, for example, you intend to use French for business, speaking in a formal manner will be important. People learning primarily to make friends might find the informal a more beneficial point of focus. Once you have your primary one down, you can shift your focus to the other form.
A slightly trickier problem which can lead to some awkward situations is that of "faux amis" or "false friends". So many French words have been borrowed by English speakers over the years. This makes it hard to fight the tendency to assume that any word that sounds like English has the same meaning in French. Again, plenty of resources exist to steer you away from these traps.
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