Wood Turnings By Andreas Ritzen

The most notorious tourist destination is Paris, France. Not because of the country, or its President, but because of its language. The French do not seem to care about whether or not their tourists understand what is going on around them. They have this insane idea that all people should learn how to communicate in French, and not the other way around. Unfortunately, this reverse psychology works.

I guess we are really masochistic in nature. When it comes to French, that is. We love everything French: fashion, desserts, bags, and the language. Nothing could be sexier than the French language. It is also very hard to learn, if you are like me who cannot even imagine any other language other than English.

High School French made it easy for some, but for others, like me, I learned it by rote memorization. I just could not figure out the breath techniques. It twisted inside and came out anything but French. The professors said I had no ear for it. I guess it’s true, if I had an ear for it I would not find it difficult.

But what if I had to go to France? I would be forced to learn how to speak French, right? Not only on how to look for food or choose food in a restaurant, but basic things like, looking for the bathroom, or giving instruction to a cab driver to the hotel I am staying at and pronouncing the name of my hotel properly. How about, shopping for the right souvenirs? What if I don’t know how to speak a little French and I end up with vegetables instead of a doll for my niece?

There is no way but learn the language of the place that you are going to visit, even for such a short time. French, they say, is the language of love. So go and fall in love with the language, then you should probably know how to say the words properly. And maybe, just maybe, the French will take pity on you and speak to you in English. But then again, I am just dreaming.

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