Friday 7 December 2012

Beginners for French!


In an effort to be a better Canadian and public servant, I have registered for a French Language Training program offered through my employer.  That’s how my application reads anyway.
In truth, I wonder how long it will take to become moderately proficient in the exercise of sarcasm in a second language.  Do the French even “do” sarcasm?   I’ll keep you posted.
If nothing else, a rudimentary grasp of French will remove that sense of frustration I often feel when trying to find the English ingredient list, or cooking instruction on food I am looking to buy or prepare.  No more cursing at the boxes and cans as they tumble through my hands as I seek answer to the question, “Is there meat in this soup?”
Sans meat!  Sans meat! I will read (or something like that) and I will reflect on the usefulness of my budding bilingualism.
I’ll visit my friends in Montreal and this time when the guy I accidently bump on the Metro says, “F*ck you!”  I will respond, “F*ck you, aussi!”
That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?  Growing understanding.  Tearing down those walls of miscommunication one brick at a time. . .