Turns out, I'm boring....

I am a bit en retard in actually writing this blog in France. Je suis desolée. The problem is that I was waiting for some insights on the issue of speaking a newly studied language in the place where it is the native tongue. But, no insights were coming. But, finally – they have arrived. Here is my first key insight: if you try to speak a simple version of the language – as I am - one is very, very boring for your companions. Of course, this is quite logical and – from my practice at home – I knew this already to be the case. But, my original plan was to “speak French all the time”. I could do it but if I did, two things would follow: I would have little fun and my companions would have less fun.

I have trois amies on this trip. First, there is my partner (of the domestic variety), Leslie. She speaks French well but certainly is not yet a master of the language. Next is Laura – Leslie’s sister and mon professeur de français for two quarters – who is, of course, fluent. And, last, there is Judith, a 19-year-old native French speaker. What a perfect traveling trio for a new “language learner”, n’est-ce pas? All three of them have their own particular vested interest in my acquisition of the language and cheer on my attempts but there is a singular word to describe their reaction to my attempts: indulgent. They all seemed so relieved when I abandoned my attempt to “speak French all the time” that I got the message pretty clearly: You are a bore in French and we have our own (damn) agenda here, thank you very much. Most certainly, I exaggerate here. In particular, I can hear Judith’s protests to this declaration ringing in my ears though she is currently asleep. And Laura, mon professeur, has been nothing but patient and kind at all times. But, she is en vacances now and certainly has no interest in being a full-time tutor. And, pauvre Leslie has already put up with my learning angst far more than anyone and has been indulging me non-stop since September when I began this quest.

And the fact is, I too find myself boring when I am speaking French. I will begin a sentence that seemed important when I started but by the time I turn the corner of the sentence with the que, I have lost all interest. The point wasn’t very interesting. Then it dawned on me that the point wouldn’t have been particularly interesting in English either. But, I would have said it quickly, at least. Nonetheless, the truth was out there: I often say boring things in English, too.

So, I came to France to better learn the language and instead I found out that I am boring. Purée!