I didn't like being considered a mardy southern person because I'm half Scottish for goodness' sake & thought Cheshire was the deep south but hey ho... I don't mind people taking the p*ss out of my voice, I do mind their deciding I'm a stuck-up t*sspot weirdo just because of it (without giving me the chance to demonstrate that while I can indeed be a complete t*sspot, and probably a weirdo, I'm not a bit stuck-up).
I love Fowler - Fowler is a hoot & much used here as reading aloud for entertainment (yes we should get a life) mind you I love using bits of IA Richards' Practical Criticism for the same purpose...
I was a London exile in Manchester in the 60s and 70s and some guys in the office used to take the p**s out of me because my accent was different (OK so I was also privately educated). In fact I didn't have all the local vocab either. I was annoyed at the time but it toughened me me up a good deal to the extent that I marked the worst offender out for revenge at my expense and got it beautifully one night. The steam coming out of his ears was wondrous to behold. the overall experience was good because it caused me to make an effort to get on with people generally rather than just sticking with those you were most comfortable with.
Actually, the UK has four official languages, imaginably five for those who wish Curnow or six if Scots was not considered a dialect bbecame recognised. However, diplomatically outside of the EU it is English. That is very patently clear when you work for the UK on a UN contract. The wonderful bit of the equation is which version of English? The King's English? That is according to Henry Watson Fowler and Francis George Fowler published in 1906, pre-dating Modern English Usage by about 20 years that Henry wrote alone after Francis died. Then we have Oxford English, which no self-respecting Cantabrigensian can be bothered with, but OUP makes a fortune out of flogging big fat dictionaries worldwide... Ah, language is such fun.
Same thing in Spain - here since François 1 and the edict of Villers Cotterêts French is da lingo & all other languages have been, er, discouraged & derogatively known as 'patois' & the mark of the bouseux (Breton, Occitan*, Catalan, Basque, Corsican, Nissard, Flemish, & I've probably left some out) rather in the same way they tried to stamp out Gaelic in the Highlands & Islands.
*Ironic really seeing the richness of Occitan literature & civilisation at a time the Franks oop north-east were still illiterate savages
Look at the difference between Wales and Britttany. You will not find any official documents to speak of in Breton. In Wales you need to be able to speak Welsh if applying for many governmemnt jobs. You take a tacsi. Many Bretons object to the French language dominance which was imposed BY FORCE. So much for regional traditions and culture. The French language should be able to put up with some lively competition. The French military operate most of their systems in English. So does their aviation industry.
I have just spent a week in hospital in Macon, i was thinking in French at the end of the week. I will shortly be going back for an operation.
My consultant spoke very passable English.
Near Prestbury, in the sticks, so yes, very mixed. The wife in my story was actually a good friend, she was a dairy farmer and very enlightening about the other locals who didn't talk to me because I "talk plummy" and was therefore stuck-up and a weirdo because I smile & say hello to people (I didn't let on about being half foreign or I could have kissed all local social life goodbye) she was open-minded & generally lovely. They have emigrated to New Zealand... I also had a number of v nice friends in the next village who were exiles from elsewhere & worked for the BBC (mardy southern stuck-up weirdoes, obviously).
Perfectly fluent Essex. I do the same, but in dialect: Wat willst Mensch? Most Germans think zu Berlinern is foreign enough, in England... Heeheehee!
Unlike the UK which has no official language (so difficult for les anglais to get a grip on)...
The official language of the French Republic is French (art. 2 of the French Constitution) and the French government is, by law, compelled to communicate primarily in French. The government, furthermore, mandates that commercial advertising be available in French (though it can also use other languages); see Toubon Law. The French government, however, does not mandate the use of French by private individuals or corporations or in any other media.
You want to do business with French officialdom, you are duty bound to do so in French as indeed, are the French officials you are dealing with.
Simple, really.
In fact is there not something to be said that the better you know people the freer you are to at least mildly mock them. I reserve real insults for the people I have known for decades. Amongst best friends there is no mercy. It needn't be nasty underneath but a sign of regard. Maybe this is a British trait. Example "Where on earth did you get that suit?" "Please give me the name of your tailor. I like a man with a sense of humour." Maybe I've just been away from Blighty too long and now everybody has to be so d**n politically correct. Everybody is far too sensitive.
Never seen, heard of or used any official translator in France. Always had to pay for each document to be translated. Been about the place (Brittany) off and on since 72. Conversely if you go to London you will find immense services available to translate every document free in a huge range of languages. Personally I thought that was wrong and an actual disincentive to integrate.
Vero, as you know we live in Southern Burgundy and in a very mixed community. We had real paysans as our neighbours, we always thought it was just the French being rude, but no it is a real mentality. Dreadful farmers, never eniugh money for proper veterinary treatmeny and poor stockmanship.
We also have a lively community of professional retirees from Lyon.
Whereabouts were you in Cheshire? That sounds a real mix as well.
Vous n'avez pas malcomprit? You're not missing anything? Which is right? Perhaps an expert could put me right? OK present/past changed but the language of Shakespeare needs defending too!
Totally agree Peter!
I don't think it's unreasonable that the French speak French in their country or am I missing something ?
Just wondering how many English officials can or will speak French? In France shopkeepers and restaurant staff sometimes do speak English to me, to be helpful. I've never heard the equivalent happen in the UK
For goodness sake Marie-Claire you quite obviously have a problem with me but I will explain anyway - to put your mind at rest! Although I'm sure no one will be interested - here goes....
Beverley was going to say - "well, actually Ashley we are guests in their country...."
I was simply stating that I disagree with that point of view and that, in any case, one should always speak from 'I' not 'We'
I do hope that helps you..... but hey it's really not that important....:-)
Good, I was just wondering why you answered her with a "huh Beverly? I'm no guest...." when she clearly wasn't addressing you.
Yes Marie-Claire I'm fully aware of that - thanks so much :-)