Progressing in French

The time has come. I've been working at this crazy language (French) for years now. I have been married to a French woman for nearly 15 years, have been attending a French group and now congregation for a couple of years...it's time.

What is that time? It is time to start speaking French on a more regular basis. Ever since I have been involved with a foreign language group, I have limited myself to speaking that language only during meetings, slipping easily back into English as soon as the meeting ended. The problem is that when one does that, one doesn't progress in the language. In order to learn another language, one actually has to have conversations in that language. Therefore, I am decided. I am going to speak only French before and after meetings (unless necessity rears its ugly and deformed head) to the friends.

The problem lies in the fact that some friends don't feel ready to take the step. Timidity, lack of self-assurance, and doubt keeps many locked into their native tongue. And yet, the only way to grow in a foreign language is to use it. We may make mistakes, and may even accidentally suggest that our grandmother had a shoe with cheese shoved down her throat (with apologies to Steve Martin for stealing his joke). Still, every one of us in the congregation chose to work in this language, and work we must. Otherwise, what's the point?

But there's more to speaking French than speaking French. (Deep, aren't I?) In our area, we meet French-speakers who are not from France. Amazing, isn't it? Yes, French is spoken by people other than those who live in France! And in order to speak with them in an acceptable manner, one needs to learn about and look for the positives in their culture. One cannot treat someone from the Congo with the same cultural behavior as someone from the Ivory Coast! It just isn't the same culture. Thus, I am going to begin teaching myself about various cultures.

Why am I writing this? I guess I am doing it as a contract with myself, and a nudge to others who are striving to learn a foreign language. (That includes those in my congregation.) One needs to speak the language, not just say one sentence out loud a couple of times a week. No, one needs to converse, to make mistakes, to correct mistakes, and to grow.

To those who learn languages easily: I f**t in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries! Seriously, though, I envy you. I wish languages came easily to me, but they don't.

To those who struggle with learning another language (98% of those who try): welcome to the club. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's the way to learn. Laugh at yourself. Keep trying. And learn about other cultures. As you do that, you'll understand a great truth. It isn't being fluent that's important. It's about meeting the other person on their own turf to build relationships. When you visit a country where they speak the language you're learning, you'll find yourself welcomed if you make the effort to speak the language. You may goof it up from time to time, but you'll enjoy the experience, and make the world a bit smaller in the process.

To my friends learning French, I quote David Tennant of Doctor Who fame: Alllons-y!