So I find it to actually be a really helpful “barometer” of language skill. When I’m in France, if I go in a store and conduct s full conversation in French, I know my accent, word choice, and general language skill is good. If halfway through the exchange we switch to English, I know I either made an egregious language error or I started sounding like an American. If the conversation switched to English right away, I either made a critical language mistake OR I just happened across a very competent English speaker.
I can carry a basic conversation - certainly enough to get by and be understood. Last time I went to Quebec though, most locals were like “hell naw” and assumed I couldn’t. Here’s the thing though: this was without hearing me speak a single word. They had an uncanny ability to just guess my primary language by appearance alone. I’m guessing they could tell I was American, maybe based on subtle mannerisms.
This is in Montreal, btw, where French and English seem to coexist as two primary languages. I did spend some time around the Mont Mégantic valley area, though. (A super rural area between the border and the cities, basically farm country vibes). There, I encountered people in the tiny village markets and service stations whose English was definitely worse than my French. I was able to get some practice in with them, but I could tell they didn’t necessarily like it much, haha!
Very much how it is in Québec which is unfortunate as someone trying yo better my French
So I find it to actually be a really helpful “barometer” of language skill. When I’m in France, if I go in a store and conduct s full conversation in French, I know my accent, word choice, and general language skill is good. If halfway through the exchange we switch to English, I know I either made an egregious language error or I started sounding like an American. If the conversation switched to English right away, I either made a critical language mistake OR I just happened across a very competent English speaker.
I can carry a basic conversation - certainly enough to get by and be understood. Last time I went to Quebec though, most locals were like “hell naw” and assumed I couldn’t. Here’s the thing though: this was without hearing me speak a single word. They had an uncanny ability to just guess my primary language by appearance alone. I’m guessing they could tell I was American, maybe based on subtle mannerisms.
This is in Montreal, btw, where French and English seem to coexist as two primary languages. I did spend some time around the Mont Mégantic valley area, though. (A super rural area between the border and the cities, basically farm country vibes). There, I encountered people in the tiny village markets and service stations whose English was definitely worse than my French. I was able to get some practice in with them, but I could tell they didn’t necessarily like it much, haha!
sounds like you need to work more on your “hon hon hon” and a little less on your “baguette”.