What is English like to French speakers?

[Albion]

What is English like to French speakers since it contains so much French and Latin vocabulary?

[gandalf]

It is quite easy really ,
but you have to go in England to get some truth , luv' .

And yes it is quite pleasant that this international language
is half french after all .

[Grumpy Cat]

Easy to learn.

But when I was growing up, in Canada where packaging is in English and French, I always though English was backwards French. :D

[Albion]

Easy to learn.

But when I was growing up, in Canada where packaging is in English and French, I always though English was backwards French. :D

Probably true. I did hear something once about English containing a lot of words from French which modern French no longer uses.

[Ouistreham]

English inspires to us mixed feelings:

• when written, the uncomfortable sensation that English is an easier and simpler way of combining French words together ;

• when spoken, a heartening proof that we are not alone in that world with our obnoxiously illogical spelling.

[Arne]

What is English like to French speakers since it contains so much French and Latin vocabulary?

It sounds as it got much more latin influence than previously estimated.
French the language is
1.Hard to learn for us germans
2.unusable mostly and not required usage
3.It Sounds much gay to me.

[Ouistreham]

English sounds awfully gay.
Non-rhotic estuary English with its high pitched tones is an epitome of fagottry!

And there must be a reason why English speaking nations are gayest :


Australia and US found to be 'gayest countries'

Researchers have concluded more than 17% of Australians and Americans are involved in gay or lesbian relationships.

It puts the countries equal first in the world for its proportion of homosexuals.

The worldwide survey of sexual habits by Durex etc.

http://forums.skadi.net/showthread.php?t=4523

[Albion]

Must be all the French influence. :(

[gandalf]

It sounds as it got much more latin influence than previously estimated.
French the language is
1.Hard to learn for us germans
2.unusable mostly and not required usage
3.It Sounds much gay to me.


"It sounds much gay to me"

Yes french are gay , and they appreciate german's bottom

[Ouistreham]

Englisch ist die bevorzugte Sprache der deutschen Schwulen.

[beeee]

English is really good for songwritting, as it has very short words, which make rhyming easier.

Example : bay, day, say, ray.....gay :D

[Johnston]

Maybe the French will never stop viewing English as a peasant language? English view French as an aristocratic language, just as Latin is a clerical language.

[beeee]

Maybe the French will never stop viewing English as a peasant language? English view French as an aristocratic language, just as Latin is a clerical language.

Languages have many levels.
A reason may be the French only understand "peasant" English ;)

I wanted to read Shakespeare not long ago, I closed the book after one minute, as I would not understand a single line.
It is the same in France, few people speak proper French. Not even talking about the very few who know how to write it correctly.

[Albion]

I see here that the stereotype of the rude Frenchman is not lost on the likes of Ouistreham and others on this post with their slurs.
To be honest I'm annoyed that so many respondants to this thread are simple minded plebs bringing nothing to the discussion but schoolyard insults instead of actually contributing something constructive to the thread.

Ouistreham, your language is seen by many as amongst the most poncy in the world and you have the gall to call English gay. What sort of reverse logic is this? Do you have down syndrome or something?

[Albion]

Languages have many levels.
A reason may be the French only understand "peasant" English ;)

I wanted to read Shakespeare not long ago, I closed the book after one minute, as I would not understand a single line.
It is the same in France, few people speak proper French. Not even talking about the very few who know how to write it correctly.

Shakespeare wrote in Middle English which was a very variable, transitional stage of English and when it absorbed most French and Latin.
The earliest texts in Middle English look very Germanic still, but they are understandable to a native speaker. Shakespeare wrote much closer to Modern English and is easy enough for native speakers, if a little archaic.
He actually invented a lot of his own vocabulary though, that's perhaps why it's strange reading it.