| | SATURDAY ON THE COTE D'AZUR
 It is an amazing day today overlooking the mediterranean sea. Last night we all had a party and afterwards we all hung out at this bar down in the harbor. We were free to speak english, and I have never seen a more diverse group of people from every possible background you can imagine. I thought I came here to learn French - I am really learning about the world, cultures, economies, politics... it's a great mix of intense learning, natural beauty and great people.
It's commonly thought that French people are snooty to Americans, and in all of my visits to this great country, I have not seen American people held in low regard at all... I just think it's a language issue. Because say, for example, that you were a waiter and a french family came in to eat - would you not be a little less engaging? Of course you would - and here is the other crucial thing. For many 'sounds' in french pronunciation, they rely heavily on what they call "nasals" or nasal sounds (like "vin" or "pain") in which you literally need to move your nose upwards to make the correct sound (we learn it all here folks!) So Patrice, our instructor, gave us an exercise to practice in front of the mirror of putting a pen on your nose and try to lift it while speaking a sentence filled with nasal sounds. You literally have to lift your nose up to make the correct sound (I could do it, but many people in my class were having a hard time lifting the pen)... and when you lift your nose it literally looks snooty. So here's a situation... if you ask for some "vin" (pronounced "van") and the waiter says, oui oui, le vin... he literally HAS to lift his nose at you because that is how the word is said correctly! |
| | Posted 8/7/2004 5:33 AM - 263 views - 0 comments
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