French is the official language of France, and the French have always been beyond proud of it. Par example, Cardinal Richelieu started L’Académie française (the French Academy) in 1635, and the establishment’s efforts to preserve language’s integrity continue to this day. Nevertheless, choice words like cool and téléphone have crept in, and most people in larger cities—especially the student population—speak at least some English. Knowing elementary French can’t hurt, particularly in smaller towns, but don’t be surprised if a native interrupts halfway through your butchered “Comment ça va?” to ask if you wouldn’t prefer conversing in your own tongue.
French pronunciation has been duping Anglophones since well before the Hundred Years’ War. A few tricks, though, can decode some of the intricacies of this absurdly non-phonetic Romance language. ...more
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