Speaking the Tongue of Shakespeare

[chani]

I was watching my DVDs of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in which there's an interview of Kate Winslet and the movie director, Michel Gondry; whose accent in English couldn't be more French, and that got me amused and annoyed at the same time.

She kept translating what he was saying into proper English, pointing out his grammar mistakes and his poor pronounciation. He didn't seem to mind and she meant no harm I guess.

His accent was dashed terrible indeed, and I couldn't help thinking and talking to myself "*I* don't speak like that, do I?"...but I wouldn't be able to say what he said, and I woudn't be able to tell the stuff he told, for lack of vocabulary mostly but also because I ain't *that* at ease when speaking English.

We aren't good at foreign languages in France (well Brits are worse)compared to other Europeans. Actually we suck big time, and I think it's because we take it too seriously. So when it comes to speak we are petrified.  Michel Gondry was not. So he may have that typical awful accent but he isn't that French!

Going to see "Kingdom of Heaven" tonight...

Comments

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

I'm only comfortable speaking English, when it comes to foreign languages. You've heard me speak French, but I'm really not that comforatble with it. And that's actually the reason why I don't speak it very well. I'm above average when it comes to understanding, but I get scared when I have to talk.

Ah, et tu connais cette blague?
Comment appelle-t-on quelqu'un qui parle trois langues? Un trilingue.
Comment appelle-t-on quelqu'un qui parle deux langues? Un bilingue.
Comment appelle-t-on quelqu'un qui ne parle qu'une langue? Un Français.

I hope I didn't make any mistakes in the joke... ;-)

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

That joke would work with English people too! The difference is that, unlike us, they don't *have* to speak foreign languages!

You seemed quite comfortable speaking French really. I guess that living in Brussels, you're used to speak French...even when doing your job, while I *never* speak English in Paris (unless there's some Buffy friend coming here!)...You can't be comfortable with a language when you never practice.

Bisous

[candlelightfrot.livejournal.com]

You use *ain't*!!

I knew you were kinky... but vulgar too!?!

;~P

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

See what the Buffy fandom and the Internet have done to me!

I don't think I am kinky...

Chani

[candlelightfrot.livejournal.com]

True... the kinky never think they are!