I am going to France next year, I don’t know any French, so I am trying to learn. But is it an option to speak in English or Spanish?
You don’t have to learn the whole language. Learn a few words - hello, please, thank you, and a few phrases. It’s nice to make an effort and it will be appreciated.
Sage said:
You don’t have to learn the whole language. Learn a few words - hello, please, thank you, and a few phrases. It’s nice to make an effort and it will be appreciated.
Simple phrases can go a long way. “Excusez-moi de vous déranger” (basically “excuse me, sorry to bother you”) is a useful and polite way to get someone’s attention for anything in general.
Only the people on Frenchlandia speak French. If you are in the actual France, you should speak French.
English, but learn basic phrases in French and start the interaction in French. That’s been enough to get smiles and good service when I’ve been there.
Learn the appropriate greeting for the time of day. Learn how to say, “I’m sorry, my French is terrible. Do you speak English?” Memorize it. Use it liberally. Learn please, thank you, excuse me, goodbye, and how to say, “I would like…” so you can order. Most importantly, learn the customs for polite interactions, e.g., the French always greet each other when they enter a store and say thank you and goodbye when you leave. Do the same or you’ll be perceived as rude.
In France? French obviously.
If you at least try with a bit of French, the French people will be very kind.
Yes, you can speak in English.
Portuguese. Obviously.
Google Translate or learn basic A1 French phrases.
Bonjour, merci, bière, je m’appelle, etc.
Spanish in France?
Russian will do.
Learning some basic French phrases is a great idea! While many in France speak English, starting with ‘Bonjour’ or ‘Parlez-vous anglais ?’ can go a long way in showing respect for their culture.
I would try Klingon. If they don’t understand, switch to one of Middle Earth’s elvish dialects.
This could become a Reddit game:
“What Language Should I Speak in _________?”
- In China? Japanese.
- In Russia? Finnish.
- In Germany? Italian.
Buy an Apple Watch, it saved my life. You can install a translator function which automatically translates your conversations! Simple yet convenient travel hack.
Most people will speak English. Once they see you’re not a French speaker, they will typically offer you menus in English. If you still have difficulty communicating, pull out your translation app! Most even take pictures and translate the content.