For example, if someone spoke in French, I wouldn't understand what they said. But if they spoke in English, I would.

I mean I understand that it has its use in naming desserts, but it's just not suited for day to day conversation.

Imagine this exchange:

Person: "L'eau est empoisonnée."

Me: "What the fuck are you talking about?" Takes a sip and fucking dies.

Compared to:

Person: "The water is poisoned."

Me: "Oh shit no thanks" Lives

See how confusing it is? It's just hard to relate to on a human level.

How do French people put up with this?

    • Abraxiel
      ·
      4 years ago

      I took a few years of study and learned a bit, but most of my getting to the point where I can construct unfamiliar sentences and understand spoken French has been from watching French movies and YT videos with subtitles. Definitely understand the intimidation of talking to actual French speakers though, particularly in Montreal.

      One more tip for pronunciation, if you like, is to use the wikipedia pronunciation guides and learn what different terms for phonemes mean combined with samples. Also practice! Living in the US, I sometimes read warning labels and instructions in French out loud to see if I can get it.