Readers have responded to an article by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett on the advantages and fun of learning languages, sharing their own experiences and insights. The article, published on 12 July, discussed how learning a language can keep the brain young and encouraged monoglots to take up a new tongue.
Memorable French expressions
Malcolm Bower from Gunnislake, Cornwall, recalled first hearing a similar expression to the one Cosslett mentioned from his future French father-in-law. The father-in-law opened a very good Bordeaux with the comment “C’est le bon dieu en culotte de velours”. Years later, Bower tried to impress the principal of an upmarket professional college for young ladies by using the phrase to describe a particularly good bottle she had ordered. Given the presence of middle-class ladies, she gently corrected him with the more genteel “en habit de velours”.
The importance of looking foolish
Barbara Hull from York, a lifelong teacher of French, supported Cosslett’s comment that “in order to truly embrace learning another tongue, you have to be prepared to look foolish and vulnerable”. Hull taught adult education French for over 50 years and would always begin classes with the caveat that a willingness to “act the goat” is the greatest predictor of success. She noted that most foreign language classes in the UK are predominantly female, and now retired, she volunteers to chair French conversation groups for u3a, where the gender mix remains the same. “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose,” she said.
Accent and understanding
Richard Haszko from Sheffield shared his experience of trying to speak French in France. He said: “I was repeatedly told that my French couldn’t be understood until I started speaking it in what I thought was a comic French accent.” On another occasion, he tried to explain a joke involving a “double entendre”, which was met with great confusion. He was then informed that the French don’t say “double entendre”, they say “double sense”.
The letters highlight the joys and challenges of language learning, emphasizing that a sense of humour and willingness to make mistakes are crucial for success.
