So I find it to actually be a really helpful “barometer” of language skill. When I’m in France, if I go in a store and conduct s full conversation in French, I know my accent, word choice, and general language skill is good. If halfway through the exchange we switch to English, I know I either made an egregious language error or I started sounding like an American. If the conversation switched to English right away, I either made a critical language mistake OR I just happened across a very competent English speaker.
I can carry a basic conversation - certainly enough to get by and be understood. Last time I went to Quebec though, most locals were like “hell naw” and assumed I couldn’t. Here’s the thing though: this was without hearing me speak a single word. They had an uncanny ability to just guess my primary language by appearance alone. I’m guessing they could tell I was American, maybe based on subtle mannerisms.
This is in Montreal, btw, where French and English seem to coexist as two primary languages. I did spend some time around the Mont Mégantic valley area, though. (A super rural area between the border and the cities, basically farm country vibes). There, I encountered people in the tiny village markets and service stations whose English was definitely worse than my French. I was able to get some practice in with them, but I could tell they didn’t necessarily like it much, haha!
Reversed, this is how English as a first language conversations go in foreign lands
In American English it would go
“Do you speak English”
“Nein”
“O K. I. Will. Talk. Slow. So. You. Can. Under. stand. Me.”
In many countries they don’t even ask. They recognize your accent and reply in English right away.
Very much how it is in Québec which is unfortunate as someone trying yo better my French
So I find it to actually be a really helpful “barometer” of language skill. When I’m in France, if I go in a store and conduct s full conversation in French, I know my accent, word choice, and general language skill is good. If halfway through the exchange we switch to English, I know I either made an egregious language error or I started sounding like an American. If the conversation switched to English right away, I either made a critical language mistake OR I just happened across a very competent English speaker.
I can carry a basic conversation - certainly enough to get by and be understood. Last time I went to Quebec though, most locals were like “hell naw” and assumed I couldn’t. Here’s the thing though: this was without hearing me speak a single word. They had an uncanny ability to just guess my primary language by appearance alone. I’m guessing they could tell I was American, maybe based on subtle mannerisms.
This is in Montreal, btw, where French and English seem to coexist as two primary languages. I did spend some time around the Mont Mégantic valley area, though. (A super rural area between the border and the cities, basically farm country vibes). There, I encountered people in the tiny village markets and service stations whose English was definitely worse than my French. I was able to get some practice in with them, but I could tell they didn’t necessarily like it much, haha!
sounds like you need to work more on your “hon hon hon” and a little less on your “baguette”.