Tips for language learners

Or more specifically, French language learners. If you are here for Spanish help, you should probably try Duolingo. Gracias.

The past tense is literally the key to the language. If you’re serious about getting the hang of this language, get the past tense down pat. It’s the basis for every other tense, and let me tell you, it’s impossible to communicate solely in present tense, no matter how much you may want to. Don’t touch imparfait until you’ve checked out passé composé, and don’t even look at plus-que-parfait until those two feel comfortable.

I don’t remember how it’s usually taught, but I would say start with past tenses and then learn future tenses when it comes to French. Don’t even bother with passé simple. It’s useless and it just gets stuck in your head because it looks easy and all of a sudden you’re trying to explain to your host mom how you made fried chicken in a way that makes you sound like The Brothers Grimm. No I will not elaborate.

I kinda hate the subjonctif. Unpopular opinion, I know. Everyone is supposed to hate the imparfait, but honestly at this point it’s not a big deal, especially speaking.

Oh and by the way, speaking of speaking: when in doubt with French, make the “ay” or “air” sounds. That’ll carry you through most conversations. And if you can really scoff out that r sound, any mistake you make will be forgotten by your teacher in her astonishment.

Put your voice on the tip of your tongue and teeth. English makes you move the whole jaw, like you’re chewing out the language. French is a lot more breath and lip placement. Whole words can fly out of you with a push of air from the roof of your mouth. Ew, mouths!

I think of French as a language that exists on that little flap at the top of your throat. You know that weird dangly thing? Do we need those? Is it like an appendix? That’s where a lot of important French sounds come from, like that sandpaper r. Americans tend to put the r on their lips — avoid, it’s a trap!

Cognates are very handy, but remember this golden rule: if it seems like it would be a French word, try to find a synonym of it that is more hoity-toity and uppity. So if you want to call someone self-centered, just remember that rich people a hundred years ago called each other egoists, and there you go!

Overall, the most important rule to remember is that if it feels weird saying it, you’re probably saying it right.

Cordialement,

Allison

P.S.: I am very sickly right now and I’ve missed my classes for the past two days. I’m fine, just an update. Hopefully I’ll be right as rain by this weekend because I am going to Paris.