Whether
you’re living in a country, or just passing through, it’s important to have an
understanding of the language, a significant factor that can make, or break any
experience.
My first
trip to Paris in 2008, not speaking a word of French, was an absolute disaster
which involved a great deal of miming, tears and perplexed Parisians who either
A) didn’t understand English or B) just didn’t feel like helping me out. I left the city with an extremely bitter taste
in my mouth, vowing that I would never return again.
Flash
forward to 2009. Ironically, I have a French boyfriend (today, my husband), and
make several trips to France. Having not studied French in school, I begin to
start buying workbooks, making flashcards and trying to memorize enough words
to get by. Each trip brings more small victories like being able to order “un
sandwich” at the boulangerie, or understanding when the supermarket cashier
asks if I have a loyalty card.
By 2010, I
have decided to move to…yes, you guessed it, Paris! Before leaving the US, I
spend a few weeks revising my materials, and then I’m off to France, where I
enroll in an intensive language course. As soon as the
bases begin to form and vocabulary starts to click, it’s like a dingy film is
peeled away, and France becomes a beautiful, magical place.
Several
years, books, courses and embarrassing grammar blunders later, I can finally
hold my own in most situations and conversations. I easily chat with my coworkers,
share a drink with French friends and find what I need when running my daily
errands.
If you’re
planning a trip or a move, it’s never too late to start learning the local
language. A little goes a long way, and can make a world of difference.
For French
beginners or those who just wish to brush up on their skills, I recommend the
BBC’s Ma France, one of my favorite learning tools.
What are
your experiences with learning another language? How has it changed your
travels?
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