Votre Gras de Noël est arrivé! (your Christmas fat(?) has arrived!)
Tis the season….in SW France
I was at our usual Thursday open-air market, and the signs were everywhere. “Foire de Gras, Gras de Noël, Gras d’Ici”. Gras means “fat” and it’s a big thing here in the SW of France in December. If you didn’t know better you might be tempted to take it personally, especially after several months of lock-down baking & eating (I mean basically, they’re not wrong). But what the signs are actually referring to is Fois Gras, or or fatty duck (or goose) liver, which is very much an end-of-year eating tradition around here.
Of course me being me, I couldn’t resist the play on words….“gras”, “graisse”, the quarantine 15 and so forth.
So I turned to the guy next to me in line, pointed at my belly and said “Mon gras est arrivé bien en avance cette année” (my fat arrived early this year), after which I naturally burst out laughing, and subsequently elicited a sea of blank stares and crickets from everyone around me. My feeble attempts to follow-up the joke by gesturing between the sign and my stomach did little to improve the mood. Several of my bystanders shifted uncomfortably and looked away, developing a sudden interest in shoes and pavement.
Ah well….clearly I’m not there yet….
Yes it’s about fat, but not the fat you think it’s aboutChristmas cheer at our local grocery
Further down the market at the pork lady, I decided nonetheless to have another go. I was buying a rôti de porc auxpruneaux (pork roast with prunes), a rather traditional SW French dish and she was explaining how to cook it. You see most French like to cook roasts fast and hard, a quick 20 mins at super-high temps for a crisp outer, and fully rare inner. Perfect for beef, but not at all right for pork. The pork lady was clearly worried for me, and for the pork roast, assuming I wouldn’t know what to do.
“Vous devez le faire cuire doucement”, she insisted very seriously “lentement” (cook it slowly, don’t ruin it).
“Ne vous inquietez pas”, I replied without missing a beat “Je suis Danoise, le porc est dans mon sang”. (don’t worry, I’m Danish, pork is in my blood)
Suddenly everyone laughed. Proper laughs too, not just the haha of polite go-alongs, and all of them together at once. It was my first true breakthrough at French market humor, and although I’m still not sure which exact part they laughed it, I reveled in the success all the way home.
Maybe one day I’ll actually manage to be consistently funny in French. I thought.
Pretty much ALL my adventures happen at the weekly open-air market these days
Languages are a strange and wonderful thing
Edith Piaf is of my favorite “oldie” French singers
Lorsque je lève les yeux, (when I raise my eyes)
Je rencontre le ciel (I see the sky)
Et je me dis : “Mon Dieu, (and I say to myself, My God)
Mais c’est sensationnel, (it’s sensational)
Tant de bleu.” (so much blue)
Edith Piaf/Charles Aznavour, 1951
Learning languages is a wonderful thing. Did you know that when you learn a new language you actually create new pathways in the brain? Studies show that you increase the volume and density of gray matter, the volume of white matter and brain connectivity, which improves your entire spectrum of cognition. In fact it’s been proven that people who speak more than one language perform better at intelligence tests and show less cognitive decline in old age. In other words, learning languages is a natural anti-brain-ageing tool. Cool, right?
But what I find even more interesting is how you exist as a person in another language.
Language is always interwoven with local culture, and history
You see language is solidly inter-woven with the culture and history of a place. Latin languages are so much more flowery and romantic than say, Germanic languages. And Chinese is so much more multi-dimensional (a single word can have different tones, different meanings, different interpretations) than English. So it’s not just how the language itself is spoken, but also how it is used.
For example, if I say to you “your eyes are so blue, so beautiful, so mesmerizing”, that would sound perfectly romantic & beautiful in French (in fact it’s pretty much what Edith Piaf sang about in her famous song), but it would probably sound a bit cringey (?) in English, and just plain wrong in Danish.
It’s a fascinating detail which in turn makes me wonder about myself. Am I naturally more romantic in French than I am in English? Am I funnier in English than I’ll ever be in French? And am I more pedantic and dry in Danish than all the rest?
Or in other words, am I a different person when I speak a different language??
Am I more romantic in French?
A Different Person
We all change as we age. The person I was at 20 is certainly not the person I am now. Experiences have changed me, traveling has changed me, and simple age has changed me. But I believe languages have too, even just English itself.
I never wore a Cowboy hat until I moved to USA (but I really like ’em now!)
For example, I was a much more subtle person (if you can believe it) when I lived in the UK than when I lived in the USA. West Coast American brashness and extrovertness developed those sides of me, letting them fly loose and free in ways I would never have imagined before. And the English I spoke reflected that difference too. I went from speaking a very reserved and proper “Queen’s English” to a direct American brawl, saying “hi, how you doing” to everyone I passed (stranger or not), and calling my boss by his first name rather than Mr. so and so.
That last one actually took some serious effort, and not just because it was such a massive change in culture. I think I actually spewed up my coffee the first time he told me to stop with all the Mr stuff.
“Stop being ridiculous”, he said quite bluntly “and just call me by my first name”
“So you want me to call you……errrm……Dick?
Different place, different language, different person.
As I travel, I change and adapt to the places I go
I got used to it in the end, and now swap back and forth between my various “English-speaking” personalities without really thinking about it, whether I want to or not. And I do believe I am a slightly different person here than I was in the USA, or Asia, or England.
Paris is very different from the rest of France
It’s the age-old debate of nurture versus nature. Some parts of me are deep and permanent, like my love of travel, my general geekiness, and my outgoing personality. But other parts of me have changed according to time and place.
My travels have added deeper layers too.
The West Coast of the US is totally different from the East Coast, and New Yorkers are totally different from their compatriots down South. In the UK, the Scottish, Irish and Welsh all have their own distinct cultures, jokes, language and accents. In France, Parisians are completely different from folks living in the countryside. Sometimes changes can be felt only miles away.
For nomads, these differences are all part of the fascination of travel. Learning them, absorbing them, maybe even bringing a few of them along for the ride. It’s all part of the big puzzle that is “me”, and I think it’s like that for everyone. We’re all made up of the pieces we’ve picked up along the way, whether we travel or not. And I do believe language is the layer on top, a pizzaz you can add to bring extra color and nuance to it all.
Interesting to think about, right?
Language adds an extra layer of color and pizzaz to your life puzzle
A Different Place
So now we’re living in France and speaking French daily which I like to think makes me more romantic (yes, most definitely), still as out-going (a core thing there), but perhaps not as humorous (?), although I’m not giving up hope on the latter yet.
Silly Christmas sweaters are ubiquitous, even in France
Things are certainly different here.
Fois Gras is the norm for December, and still very much a part of the local culture (no matter what you might think of it abroad). Christmas Markets are officially closed, but clandestine ones are still open everywhere (we went to another one today). A round belly is not remotely funny (it’s just a healthy constitution, non?), but pork-related jokes are apparently a sure hit. And my French, ever-evolving and still hopefully improving, is teaching me new things about my own personality everyday.
I wonder what the next piece of my puzzle will be….
So, my dear blog readers I decided to write something to take you away from it all this week…the news…the lockdowns…the lot. So tell me your thoughts. Have you always wanted to learn another language? Do you feel different when you try to speak another language? Or perhaps just when you visit a different place? Even the English language is different from place to place. DO share and comment below!
We are all a big puzzle, built from the many pieces we’ve accumulated through our lives
Unfortunately, Cancer has attacked my soulmate, my loving wife, Sheila. Used to regularly follow your travels in the US {we have been fulltime for eight Years, living in Cottonwood AZ now,}
I needed a break and clicked on your latest email; What a joy to read. I will make it a point to re-engage and vicariously live with you again,
Oh goodness Bill, I’m so sorry. We’ve had several years of battle with the big C here in France, so I know how that feels. It’s a hard hit. I hope your wife’s case was caught early and that she gets through the treatment well. Strength and healing to you both.
Delightful post. Languages and cultures are so interesting. I’ve been working on my Italian in hopes to find my way back to Italy again to visit my friends. Their English is a lot better than my Italian…..for the most part. This makes our visits full of laughs and confused faces.
I share this cute little story about my Italian friend’s first visit to the US. At customs she was asked if she had a Visa. She replied yes and handed them her credit card.
Thank you for again bringing a smile to my day. Have a wonderful holiday.
Kudos to you for getting a laugh at the market. Let’s hope it was for the right reason. French, and French humour can be surprisingly mysterious.
To this day my wife and I don’t know exactly what I said to the young lady behind the counter at a “fast food place” in Puerto Rico when we were living there. Hey, I had my grade 10 Spanish after all, and figured I could at least order a taco salad. Well, she was laughing so hard at whatever I said, that her boss had to come out and sort of take over. Again, no idea what I said, but it was quite obviously wrong, and funny. Oh well.
But hey, you gotta try once in a while? Right?
Oh and, we here in Ontario, Canada are going into yet another lock-down starting tomorrow for who knows how long? I’m not a big Christmas shopper anyway, nor can that be said of anyone whom I know. But I’m sure some folks will be going through fits.
Keep your stick on the ice.
I’ve had a few of those “I don’t know why they laughed” situations. Like you said, you just gotta try, and laugh along if it happens. Sorry for the 2nd lockdown. We are out of ours for now, but I see a 3rd one coming in Spring. Ah well…what can you do?
Well, I (Jim) do own a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone French, so I hope to actually USE it someday soon! Alec un peu de chance, plus tot que plus tard.
I grew up in Minnesota, I’ve lived on the East Coast (Massachusetts), Texas, Oregon, New Mexico and Arizona. Talk about different cultures! I’ve also lived in France. And I never have felt more foreign than I did in Massachusetts. And I had a friend from there who visited Colorado and was so scared he had to leave early! I find the power of place profound.
I grew up in Wyoming. I’ve lived in WA, CA, MA, AZ, and am now in TX. I have rarely met a stranger and have nearly always had my friendliness reciprocated. However, I have been rebuffed more here in TX than anywhere else. Generally when I , very politely, turn down an invitation to join someone’s church ‘family’. Go figure…
Merry merry Xmas to you and Paul and Dad and Polly.
I thought the jokes were really funny— they must have hit the French like a Dad joke. But you tried.
Love my cowboy hats and boots too… I am in Taos, NM… here we can we’re anything. It is a really loose place. My New Jersey black everything, prim jackets are no longer.
I love the south of France and felt as if I had lived there in a previous life when on my first visit.
Have a wonderful holiday week… as best we can all do. Eat some FAT for me!! ❤️
Oh thanks for this post. Yes, I laughed too and it brought back memories of my missteps in French too. My first was the summer I spent in France with my best friend and her French grandmother. I had picked up some words (my father would have told you I taught far more English to the people of Montpellier than I learned French) and one day a man was being very rude to me. I finally turned around and said very firmly Couchons! (meaning of course, cochon) My friends grandmother had tears running down her cheeks she was laughing so hard and it took her minutes to explain that I’d suggested he and I “lie together” (to put it politely). But a year later when I went to school in Switzerland I learned to speak French and have always valued the fact that my parents allowed me that opportunity. I have always had an “ear” for languages and growing up where Spanish was spoken almost as much as English (Puerto Rican version) I already spoke a decent amount. At 30 I learned Arabic while living in Lebanon and Egypt. How true it is about the various accents (Egyptian Arabic is like none of the others but because of the prominence of Egyptian cinema most understand it. What I love about Arabic though is the way one plays with words. There is an art to sayig what you are saying without actually saying it, or trying to outdo one another with greetings. Sabah el khair (Morning of goodness) is traditionally answered with Sabah en Noor (Morning of light) but the greetings can then continue each trying to be better Sabah el warid (rose or flower) Sabah el ishtah (sweet cream) Sabah el yasmine (jasmine) etc. It is wonderful but it’s also so important to understand the differences in how the languages are expressed, as you said. I am loving your tales of France where I fear it will be some time again before we can return.
I hope you Paul and your dad have the Merriest of Christmases. Glædelig jul, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noël! Good health and stay safe.
I’d so love to learn Arabic. There’s a lyrical beauty to that language that has always interested me. Your description of the way expressions are framed intrigues me even more! How fascinating.
I was a high school French and English teacher. I especially appreciated your post about learning languages and how the languages can affect you. My school days included teaching both languages to some of the same students. The funny part is that my students told me I was a totally different person in French (more fun, more outgoing, more dramatic) from the person I was in English classes (more serious and businesslike).
I am married to a Frenchman who tells me he prefers me in French! I seem to be too hurried, abrupt, and independant when we’re in the States! So I couldn’t agree more with your comments on the effects of language Nina.
I wish you, Paul, and your Dad a very Happy Christmas and hope we will all be able to travel again in 2021. We still have a parking space with a lovely view waiting for you and your Mini Beast in Corrèze!
Thank you for this post, I really enjoyed it and got some insight on how you are feeling and dealing with everything.
I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.
Interesting narrative, and stunning photos. I don’t speak another language and having lived in California most of my life I really should know Spanish! Had I realized we’d be stuck at the house for months I might have tackled it to keep my occupied.
You’ve experienced so much with all your worldly travels, fascinating to “be” so many different yous!
Happy Holidays to you, Paul, Dad and Polly!
An “ear” for languages is something I do not have and wish that I did! My cousin in Denmark (who speaks excellent English) and I have a bet. She will quit smoking and I will learn Danish. So far neither of us is winning.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! So enjoy your writing!
Oh you picked a tough bet!!! Danish is a really difficult language to learn, especially with all our “gutteral” sounds. It’s a whole different way of speaking.
Growing up with a deaf sister, I learned “body language” which some cultures are better at . . . in the deaf culture, being flamboyant with facial and bodily expressions is a good thing. With emotionally repressed hearing folks, it’s shocking and unsettling. Then when I moved from the brash Northeastern USA to the genteel Southern USA, my sharp corners got smoothed over and I was much less argumentative and more agreeable and smiley. My weeks with Minnesotans immersed me in sing-song English, and I was happy to just listen and never talk! Wonderful post Nina!
Sign language is another language I’ve always wanted to learn. I enjoy physical expression and think it could really expand my grey matter. And sing-song English…yes I love that accent.
That was a great read, Nina. I am amazed at people who can manage more than one language. Especially French. I worked a few months on Italian using Babbel before I traveled to Italy in 2018, but there is nothing like actually immersing in the culture and using the language for some time. I laughed at your attempts at humor. Seemed funny to me!! Only thing I remember easily now is the phrase that comes to me often. Non ce male. “Not too bad”. I even have the accent right for that one.
I love Italian. Such a pretty language. Paul is actually very good at it, and is taking lessons every week. I don’t think I have much chance of learning it though. I have enough problems mixing up French & Spanish…if I throw Italian into the pot, I’ll never separate any of them lol.
My plans as I moved to Colorado where to visit France and immerse myself in the language. I think learning any other way won’t work for me. I still have the dream and want to visit France and enjoy the time I have there. I love that you are there, living the dream.
Immersion is absolutely the BEST way to learn a language. Paul had OK French before we moved, but now he is fluent. It makes a big difference to live where it’s spoken. Highly recommend the experience too!
I have read your blog for years, so happy you have continued with them. I am a cross stitcher, in Oregon, and in the cross stitching world we have several patterns (by different designers) called Joyeux Noel. As I don’t speak French, and you do, can you please tell me how Joyeux is pronounced in English? So many of us pronounce it a variety of ways. Thank you, and Joyeux Noel!
Not sure I’m the “expert” at pronunciation, and it may well be pronounced differently in different French-speaking areas, but if I were to hazard a guess I’d say “Jwai-yuh no-el”. It’s 4 syllables and the first “J” is probably the most difficult bit to pronounce properly…I’d say it sounds like the ‘g’ in orange? Probably best to Google though so you can hear someone say it with a native accent.
I moved from Bosnia to the UK back in the 90s so I know what it’s like to change cultures and cultural subtleties. UK humour being subtle and sarcastic was not a huge change , but I did notice one major difference, people don’t joke at their own expense here as much or in the same way. It took decades to decipher the formula.
If someone were to ask my advice, I would tell them to stick to humour proven to work even if it feels contrived, as it’s still much better than unintentionally offending someone or making yourself a butt of the joke in a completely different way than you intended.
It’s difficult to connect with people at the best of times and these strange pandemic conditions make everything 100 times worse.
I have to say though, I too acquire accents in spite of myself, but to be fair, if I didn’t, I’d die of dehydration in the US.
I’m with you on that last one. I’ve got a terrible habit of acquiring accents (e.g. various English-speaking accents), but it’s not something I do consciously at all. I learn mostly by ear, so I if I’m immersed in folks speaking a certain way, I just start repeating it. I do know it can sound strange though!
The story line and writing are always excellent, Nina. The photography was what got me on this one. Love, love love the last picture and the clouds. Amazing.
Hi Nina,
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I have enjoyed your blog for several years now and still use your campground reviews. We actually just finished up a stay at Catalina State Park in Arizona. We loved that place! We are spending our holidays pretty much isolated in Tucson at Davis-Montan AFB. But we are happy and blessed to have each other and our health.
Cheers!
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Your writing is really good and thought provoking. The question you raise about the effect of language on individuals and cultures is very intriguing. Here’s one of many books on the topic:
https://www.amazon.com/What-Human-Language-Mind-Culture/dp/303050381X/
VERY interesting! Thanks for the link to the book. I’m definitely going to read it.
Nina
Merry Christmas Nina, Paul and Polly. Enjoy your pork roast!!
Well I laughed at both comments. Merry Christmas!
Unfortunately, Cancer has attacked my soulmate, my loving wife, Sheila. Used to regularly follow your travels in the US {we have been fulltime for eight Years, living in Cottonwood AZ now,}
I needed a break and clicked on your latest email; What a joy to read. I will make it a point to re-engage and vicariously live with you again,
Thank you for bringing some sunshine.
Oh goodness Bill, I’m so sorry. We’ve had several years of battle with the big C here in France, so I know how that feels. It’s a hard hit. I hope your wife’s case was caught early and that she gets through the treatment well. Strength and healing to you both.
Nina
Delightful post. Languages and cultures are so interesting. I’ve been working on my Italian in hopes to find my way back to Italy again to visit my friends. Their English is a lot better than my Italian…..for the most part. This makes our visits full of laughs and confused faces.
I share this cute little story about my Italian friend’s first visit to the US. At customs she was asked if she had a Visa. She replied yes and handed them her credit card.
Thank you for again bringing a smile to my day. Have a wonderful holiday.
HA! Good one. Yeah, those simple confusions are sometimes the funniest. You have to have a good sense of humor when you learn a new language.
Nina
Kudos to you for getting a laugh at the market. Let’s hope it was for the right reason. French, and French humour can be surprisingly mysterious.
To this day my wife and I don’t know exactly what I said to the young lady behind the counter at a “fast food place” in Puerto Rico when we were living there. Hey, I had my grade 10 Spanish after all, and figured I could at least order a taco salad. Well, she was laughing so hard at whatever I said, that her boss had to come out and sort of take over. Again, no idea what I said, but it was quite obviously wrong, and funny. Oh well.
But hey, you gotta try once in a while? Right?
Oh and, we here in Ontario, Canada are going into yet another lock-down starting tomorrow for who knows how long? I’m not a big Christmas shopper anyway, nor can that be said of anyone whom I know. But I’m sure some folks will be going through fits.
Keep your stick on the ice.
I’ve had a few of those “I don’t know why they laughed” situations. Like you said, you just gotta try, and laugh along if it happens. Sorry for the 2nd lockdown. We are out of ours for now, but I see a 3rd one coming in Spring. Ah well…what can you do?
Nina
Well, I (Jim) do own a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone French, so I hope to actually USE it someday soon! Alec un peu de chance, plus tot que plus tard.
Oh yes, definitely get started. French is a beautiful language.
Nina
Hi Nina, I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your posts over the years. This one was as good as any. Thank you
I grew up in Minnesota, I’ve lived on the East Coast (Massachusetts), Texas, Oregon, New Mexico and Arizona. Talk about different cultures! I’ve also lived in France. And I never have felt more foreign than I did in Massachusetts. And I had a friend from there who visited Colorado and was so scared he had to leave early! I find the power of place profound.
I grew up in Wyoming. I’ve lived in WA, CA, MA, AZ, and am now in TX. I have rarely met a stranger and have nearly always had my friendliness reciprocated. However, I have been rebuffed more here in TX than anywhere else. Generally when I , very politely, turn down an invitation to join someone’s church ‘family’. Go figure…
Merry merry Xmas to you and Paul and Dad and Polly.
I thought the jokes were really funny— they must have hit the French like a Dad joke. But you tried.
Love my cowboy hats and boots too… I am in Taos, NM… here we can we’re anything. It is a really loose place. My New Jersey black everything, prim jackets are no longer.
I love the south of France and felt as if I had lived there in a previous life when on my first visit.
Have a wonderful holiday week… as best we can all do. Eat some FAT for me!! ❤️
I never managed to buy myself a good pair of cowboy boots, but have always wanted them. One day I’ll get back to USA and get ’em.
Nina
Oh thanks for this post. Yes, I laughed too and it brought back memories of my missteps in French too. My first was the summer I spent in France with my best friend and her French grandmother. I had picked up some words (my father would have told you I taught far more English to the people of Montpellier than I learned French) and one day a man was being very rude to me. I finally turned around and said very firmly Couchons! (meaning of course, cochon) My friends grandmother had tears running down her cheeks she was laughing so hard and it took her minutes to explain that I’d suggested he and I “lie together” (to put it politely). But a year later when I went to school in Switzerland I learned to speak French and have always valued the fact that my parents allowed me that opportunity. I have always had an “ear” for languages and growing up where Spanish was spoken almost as much as English (Puerto Rican version) I already spoke a decent amount. At 30 I learned Arabic while living in Lebanon and Egypt. How true it is about the various accents (Egyptian Arabic is like none of the others but because of the prominence of Egyptian cinema most understand it. What I love about Arabic though is the way one plays with words. There is an art to sayig what you are saying without actually saying it, or trying to outdo one another with greetings. Sabah el khair (Morning of goodness) is traditionally answered with Sabah en Noor (Morning of light) but the greetings can then continue each trying to be better Sabah el warid (rose or flower) Sabah el ishtah (sweet cream) Sabah el yasmine (jasmine) etc. It is wonderful but it’s also so important to understand the differences in how the languages are expressed, as you said. I am loving your tales of France where I fear it will be some time again before we can return.
I hope you Paul and your dad have the Merriest of Christmases. Glædelig jul, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noël! Good health and stay safe.
Very interesting! All your brain cells are working extra hard!! Thank you for the extra beautiful colors 🙂
I’d so love to learn Arabic. There’s a lyrical beauty to that language that has always interested me. Your description of the way expressions are framed intrigues me even more! How fascinating.
Nina
Nina, it might well be a project if this pandemic continues to keep us from exploring. 🙂
I was a high school French and English teacher. I especially appreciated your post about learning languages and how the languages can affect you. My school days included teaching both languages to some of the same students. The funny part is that my students told me I was a totally different person in French (more fun, more outgoing, more dramatic) from the person I was in English classes (more serious and businesslike).
I am married to a Frenchman who tells me he prefers me in French! I seem to be too hurried, abrupt, and independant when we’re in the States! So I couldn’t agree more with your comments on the effects of language Nina.
I wish you, Paul, and your Dad a very Happy Christmas and hope we will all be able to travel again in 2021. We still have a parking space with a lovely view waiting for you and your Mini Beast in Corrèze!
Fabulous!!! I love that your French husband has a preference on your language “personality”.
Nina
Thank you for this post, I really enjoyed it and got some insight on how you are feeling and dealing with everything.
I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.
Interesting narrative, and stunning photos. I don’t speak another language and having lived in California most of my life I really should know Spanish! Had I realized we’d be stuck at the house for months I might have tackled it to keep my occupied.
You’ve experienced so much with all your worldly travels, fascinating to “be” so many different yous!
Happy Holidays to you, Paul, Dad and Polly!
An “ear” for languages is something I do not have and wish that I did! My cousin in Denmark (who speaks excellent English) and I have a bet. She will quit smoking and I will learn Danish. So far neither of us is winning.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! So enjoy your writing!
Oh you picked a tough bet!!! Danish is a really difficult language to learn, especially with all our “gutteral” sounds. It’s a whole different way of speaking.
Nina
Growing up with a deaf sister, I learned “body language” which some cultures are better at . . . in the deaf culture, being flamboyant with facial and bodily expressions is a good thing. With emotionally repressed hearing folks, it’s shocking and unsettling. Then when I moved from the brash Northeastern USA to the genteel Southern USA, my sharp corners got smoothed over and I was much less argumentative and more agreeable and smiley. My weeks with Minnesotans immersed me in sing-song English, and I was happy to just listen and never talk! Wonderful post Nina!
Sign language is another language I’ve always wanted to learn. I enjoy physical expression and think it could really expand my grey matter. And sing-song English…yes I love that accent.
Nina
That was a great read, Nina. I am amazed at people who can manage more than one language. Especially French. I worked a few months on Italian using Babbel before I traveled to Italy in 2018, but there is nothing like actually immersing in the culture and using the language for some time. I laughed at your attempts at humor. Seemed funny to me!! Only thing I remember easily now is the phrase that comes to me often. Non ce male. “Not too bad”. I even have the accent right for that one.
I love Italian. Such a pretty language. Paul is actually very good at it, and is taking lessons every week. I don’t think I have much chance of learning it though. I have enough problems mixing up French & Spanish…if I throw Italian into the pot, I’ll never separate any of them lol.
Nina
My plans as I moved to Colorado where to visit France and immerse myself in the language. I think learning any other way won’t work for me. I still have the dream and want to visit France and enjoy the time I have there. I love that you are there, living the dream.
Immersion is absolutely the BEST way to learn a language. Paul had OK French before we moved, but now he is fluent. It makes a big difference to live where it’s spoken. Highly recommend the experience too!
Nina
I have read your blog for years, so happy you have continued with them. I am a cross stitcher, in Oregon, and in the cross stitching world we have several patterns (by different designers) called Joyeux Noel. As I don’t speak French, and you do, can you please tell me how Joyeux is pronounced in English? So many of us pronounce it a variety of ways. Thank you, and Joyeux Noel!
Not sure I’m the “expert” at pronunciation, and it may well be pronounced differently in different French-speaking areas, but if I were to hazard a guess I’d say “Jwai-yuh no-el”. It’s 4 syllables and the first “J” is probably the most difficult bit to pronounce properly…I’d say it sounds like the ‘g’ in orange? Probably best to Google though so you can hear someone say it with a native accent.
Nina
I moved from Bosnia to the UK back in the 90s so I know what it’s like to change cultures and cultural subtleties. UK humour being subtle and sarcastic was not a huge change , but I did notice one major difference, people don’t joke at their own expense here as much or in the same way. It took decades to decipher the formula.
If someone were to ask my advice, I would tell them to stick to humour proven to work even if it feels contrived, as it’s still much better than unintentionally offending someone or making yourself a butt of the joke in a completely different way than you intended.
It’s difficult to connect with people at the best of times and these strange pandemic conditions make everything 100 times worse.
I have to say though, I too acquire accents in spite of myself, but to be fair, if I didn’t, I’d die of dehydration in the US.
Thank you, I’ll let myself out.
I’m with you on that last one. I’ve got a terrible habit of acquiring accents (e.g. various English-speaking accents), but it’s not something I do consciously at all. I learn mostly by ear, so I if I’m immersed in folks speaking a certain way, I just start repeating it. I do know it can sound strange though!
Nina
Thank you for a wonderful glimpse of life in France. Wishing you, Paul, and Polly, a healthy and loving Holiday Season.
The story line and writing are always excellent, Nina. The photography was what got me on this one. Love, love love the last picture and the clouds. Amazing.
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much! And so glad to have you following along.
Nina
Hi Nina,
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I have enjoyed your blog for several years now and still use your campground reviews. We actually just finished up a stay at Catalina State Park in Arizona. We loved that place! We are spending our holidays pretty much isolated in Tucson at Davis-Montan AFB. But we are happy and blessed to have each other and our health.
Cheers!
Oh YES Catalina State Park….LOVED that place! One day we’ll be back. Enjoy your winter in AZ.
Nina