French Language Barrier

[Mickey1122]

Do you have to really know French to go? Are a lot of the CMs billingual. I've never been to a Disney Park besides in Florida and California.

 

[chrismoo]

No French required.

You pick up a few words whilst you are there.

Even If I attempt French my poor accent lets me down and the CMs switch to English.

A few mercis & bonjours are a good idea though.

 

[bartty]

No language barrier... if they don't understand, they'll find someone that does. Just look at their name tags. It usually has a flag of the country that they come from or language they speak.... i think!

 

[sjaakie]

English spoken here.
You know that sign? All over DLRP English is the commen language.

 

[Ware Bears]

You'll have no problem with not speaking French, however like chrismoo said it is very much appreciated if you attempt a little, like Bonjour, Merci, and Au Revoir!

 

[monkeyguy31]

no french required all the staff speak english you only need entre which is entrance and sotir which is exit

 

[SandraVB79]

I speak French without an accent, and they often answer me in English, bwahaha!

Don't worry, you'll do fine!

 

[wideeyes]

my dd is looking forward to speaking french to the CM, she has been learning the basics at nursery, if the CM answered in English she would be disappointed. (she is only four so does not pronounce all the words correctly)


My sister is fluent in french however never speaks french while at DLP, however she is useful to have around at the airport or at the train station when the signs are in french, as I don't know any. I learnt spanish for some odd reason.

 

[smileyk8]

I agree no real problems. Sometimes it's necessary to rephrase things, but someone will usually be able to help you. The thing that really made me cringe was an english woman who yelled - ANYONE ERE SPEAK ENGLISH really slowly. No hello, or good afternoon.

I never learned french (we did german) but my friend taught me how to say 'do you speak english' in french and i also used french hello/goodbyes. It's just polite, we're in their country.

 

[woody73]

No French is required at DLRP, but it helps to learn some basic phrases -- hello, goodbye, please, thank you.

At the airports and in Paris, it is polite to ask in French if someone speaks English, rather than to assume that he or she does.

Woody

 

[Mickey1122]

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[moikturtle]

You don't really need to know French, but an effort is of course always appreciated. I knew hardly any and the cast members were all generally very nice about it.

However, some of the rides are in French. The one that springs to mind most is Phantom Manor, where the audio is almost entirely French (the only English I heard in there was the voice telling the safety information).

 

[wideeyes]

quite a few rides are in french , though I think ita a problem as you are looking at the scenery and everyone knows the story to snow white so it does not really matter.

I actually was told by someone not to go to DLP as everything was in french and I said "erm well it is in france"

 

[moikturtle]

quite a few rides are in french , though I think ita a problem as you are looking at the scenery and everyone knows the story to snow white so it does not really matter.[/I]

Yeah, except in the case that I noted -- Phantom Manor. It's completely different than the other Haunted Mansions in that it actually has an official story to it. I keep meaning to look it up to see if I can find the script translated to English somewhere. It actually apparently WAS in English when they first opened, and had been done by Vincent Price...which would have been interesting to hear.

 

[SandraVB79]

However, some of the rides are in French. The one that springs to mind most is Phantom Manor, where the audio is almost entirely French (the only English I heard in there was the voice telling the safety information).

Madame Leota also says something like "blablabla a ravishing bride and a vanishing groom blablabla". I know the first thing she says rhimes (sp?- on groom

If you want to know the official story about Phantom Manor (and about whole Frontierland, actually), go read "from sketch to reality" or go to www.doombuggies.com

 

[jillrobinson]

Yeah, except in the case that I noted -- Phantom Manor. It's completely different than the other Haunted Mansions in that it actually has an official story to it. I keep meaning to look it up to see if I can find the script translated to English somewhere. It actually apparently WAS in English when they first opened, and had been done by Vincent Price...which would have been interesting to hear.

I've got the link to the script somewhere will dig it our for you, apparently there were too many complaints about it so it was rerecorded by Gérard Chévalier but did you know that part of Vincent Price's original narration is still used in the ride.
Nobody can do a creepy laugh like he could.

Actually thinking about it I've got the ride video with the English narration downloaded somewhere I'll find that too.

 

[wideeyes]

I heard the story somewhere, I agree that the ride is quite difficult to follow if you don't speak french.

 

[jillrobinson]

With thanks to Ravenswood Manor

Phantom Manor transcript. (French to English)

(Transcribed in year-long work by David G. Ravenswood, with much-appreciated help by Samuel N. Nutterville!)
Signs in the waiting area

Un fantôme vous attend... Il pourrait effrayer les plus jeunes !
(A phantom awaits you... He could frighten the youngest ones!)
The phantom awaits! Young children could be frightened by scenes in this attraction.

Les enfants de moins de 7 ans doivent être accompagnés d'un adulte
Children under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult

The Foyer

Vous, vous qui avez osé troubler la sérénité de ces lieux... Aurez-vous le courage de franchir la porte de cette maison...
(You, you who have dared disturbing the serenity of this place... You must have a lot of courage to step through the door of this house...)

Allez, ne vous faites pas prier, entrez, qu'attendez-vous donc ? N'ayez pas peur, au point où vous en êtes...
(Come on, don't make me beg you. Come in! What are you waiting for? Don't be frightened, you've come this far already...)

Montrez-vous en pleine lumiere, que je vous voie un peu !
(Step into the plain light, so I can see you a bit!)

(laughs)

Vous n'avez rien à craindre, chers amis. Allez, entrez, j'ai tellement de choses à vous faire découvrir !
(You have nothing to fear, my dear friends. Come on, come in, I have so many things for you to discover!)

The Stretch Room

Notre visite commence ici dans cette galerie où vous pouvez admirer la douceur et l'innocence de la jeunesse.
(Our tour begins here, in this gallery, where you can admire the softness and innocence of youth.)

Hélas! Les choses ne sont pas toujours ce qu'elles paraissent... Les murs de cette pièce, par exemple, ne s'allongeraient-ils pas, par hasard ?
(Alas, things aren't always what they seem...This room's walls, for example, maybe they don't really stretch? )

Et comme vous pouvez le remarquer, il n'y a ni porte... ni fenêtre... Quel angoissant problème à résoudre... par où sortir ?
(And as you can see, there is no door... no window...What a frightening problem to solve... where is the way out?)

(laughs)

J'ai bien peur que vous soyez contraints de me suivre.
(I'm afraid you're bound to follow me.)

The Portrait Gallery

Oh pardon, je ne voulais pas vous effrayer. Continuons la visite, il y a encore beaucoup des choses à découvrir...
(Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't want to frighten you. Let us continue the tour, there's so much to discover...)

Alors, gardez votre sang-froid et restez groupés. Je serais navré de vous perdre... si tôt...
(So, keep your blood cold and stay together. I would be sorry to lose you... so soon...)

En passant devant ces inestimables oeuvres d'art, peut-être ressentez-vous comme une impression bizarre... N'ayez pas peur ! Ce n'est qu'une illusion d'optique. La vraie beauté de cette maison nous attend plus
loin...
(While passing these priceless works of art, perhaps you sense a bizarre impression... Don't be afraid! It's nothing but an optical illusion. The real beauty of this house awaits us farther on...)

The Grand Staircase

Veuillez faire attention à la marche en montant à bord ! Le bal ne pourra commencer que si vous restez toujours assis bien calmement !

Kindly watch your step as you board please! The party will commence only if you remain quietly seated at all times!

The Seance Circle

Goblins and ghoulies, creatures of fright! We summon you now, to dance through the night.

Esprits et fantômes sur vos fiers destriers, escortez dans la nuit la belle fiancée.
(Spirits and phantoms on your proud stallions, escort the beautiful bride into the night.)

Warlocks and witches, answer this call, your presence is wanted at this ghostly ball...

Des douze coups de minuit aux matines sonnantes, nous valserons ensemble, macabre debutante.
(From midnight to the first light of the day, we will waltz together, gruesome debutante.)

Join now the spirits in nuptial doom, a ravishing bride, a vanishing groom.

The Skeleton Catacombs

When the crypt doors creak and the tomb stones quake
Spooks come out for a swinging wake
Happy haunts materialize
And begin to vocalize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socalize

Now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide
Or a silly spook may sit by your side
Shrouded in a daft disguise
They pretend to terrorize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socalize.

As the moon climbs high o'er the dead oak tree
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes
Start to shriek and harmonize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.

When you hear the knell of a requiem bell
Weird glows gleem where spirits dwell
Restless bones etherialize
Rise as spooks of every size

Phantom Canyon

Ah, there you are!

Welcome, foolish mortals...

There's no turning back now!

Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding...

Or is it your imagination?

We find it delightfully unlivable here in this ghostly retreat!

Actually, we have 999 happy haunts here, but there's room for a thousand. Any volunteers, hmm?

If you should decide to join us, final arrangements may be made at the end of the tour. (chuckle)

Sign near the Wine Cellar

Fin du voyage
(End of the journey)
Prepare to exit to the living world

Wine Cellar

Permettez-moi de relever la barre de sécurité. Veuillez maintenant vous lever et vous ecarter en descendant de votre chariot, en posant d'abord le pied gauche. Levez-vous maintenant, et descendez sur le trottoir roulant.

Please allow me to raise the safety bar... And now exit by stepping away from the carriage with your left foot first! Stand up, then step out and stand on the moving platform, please...

Little Leota

Revenez, revenez... Vous venez à peine d'arriver... Et je me meurs de solitude...
(Come back, come back... You've just arrived... And I'm dying of lonelyness...)

Hurry back, hurry back... Be sure to bring your death certificate... We're just dying to have you...

Boot Hill

Henry Ravenswood, 1795 - 1860,
Martha Ravenswood, 1802 - 1860,
Quarreled And Fought As Man And Wife, Now Silent Together Beyond This Life

Mary Murphy, 1837 - 1859, "Til Death...
Frank Ballard, 1829 - 1859, ...Do Us Part."
Ma Ballard, 1800 - 1859, "Over My Dead Body"

Jasper Jones, Loyal Manservant, Died 1866, "Kept the Master Happy"
Anna Jones, Faithful Chamber Maid, Died 1867, "Kept the Master Happier"

Here Lies Leadfoot Fred, "Danced Too Slow And Now He's Dead", 1802 - 1866

Rest In Peace, Barroom Benny, Seems He Took One Drink Too Many

B. Arnold, "Cold Is My Bed, But Oh, I Love It, For Colder Are My Friends Above It."

"Shorty" Smith, 1862

Red Hot Harry, "He Got Hot / But He Was Slow / So He Got Put / Six Feet Below"

No. 39 - These Miners Were Told / About Digging Too Fast / They Lost All Their Gold / In A Dynamite Blast

Dakota Dick, Pendu le 17 octobre 1867, Descendu le 18 janvier 1868, Poignardé le 18 decembre 1868, Empoisonné le 21 mai 1869, Il Reviendra
(Dakota Dick, Hanged October 17, 1867, Fell to Death January 18, 1868, Stabbed December 18, 1868, Poisoned May 21, 1869, He Will Return)

(Broken tombstone)Valentin, dit le Désossé, Ici reposent les miettes d’un homme brisé.
(Valentine, said the horseman, Here lie the remnants of a broken man.)

(Violin) Jacques Schrillman, "Lynché par une poignée de mélomanes, une fausse note l’aura tué", le 9 mai 1865
(Jaques Shrillman, "Lynched by a couple of music lovers, a wrong note was his end", May 9, 1865)

(Picture of squirrel) November 13, 1865 / Breakfast time
(Picture of mountain lion)November 13, 1865 / Lunch time
(Picture of trapper) November 13, 1865 / Dinner time
(Picture of bear with trapper´s hat and toothpick) November 13, 1865 / Hibernating in Happiness After Years of Happy Hunting

Peg Leg McBrogue / The River Rogue / Walked the Plank / and Sank.

(High on a hill) AS, In Memory, "The Hole in the Wallet Gang", 1992, Roland Aylor, Phil Canata, Darlene Todd, Casey Brennan, Jeff Burke, Michael Valentino, Ed Hanna, Nancy Gee, Richard Brown, Stephen Court, Keith Ackland-Snow, Monica Ackland-Snow, Paul Ackland-Snow, Robert J. Smith, Dave Giddens, John Flynn, George Hollis, Gerry Wilcox, David Fardell, Michael Fleming

**********************************************************

Emergency Spiel

De fascetieux revenants ont interrompu notre visite. Veuillez rester bien assis dans votre chariot, nous reprennons dans un instant!

Playful spooks have interrupted our tour. Please remain seated in your carriage, we will proceed in just a moment!

Nous sommes malheureusement retenus par des esprits farceurs. Veuillez rester bien assis dans votre chariot, nous continuons la visite dans quelques instants!

We have been unavoidably detained by prankish spirits. Please remain seated in your carriage, we will continue our tour momentarily!

**********************************************************

Vincent Price's original Phantom spiel

Where hinges creak in doorless chambers... Where strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls... Where candlelights flicker though the air is deathly still... This is Phantom Manor!

(Thunder)

Welcome, curious friends! You may not believe it, but beauty once lived in this house... And beauty lives here still! Show yourself!

Lovely, isn't she? Come, I have more beauty to show you!
Our tour begins here, in this gallery, where you gaze upon the sweet innocence of youth. Ah, but things are not always as they seem. Can it be this room is actually stretching? And notice this: this chamber has no windows and no doors... which offers you this chilling challenge: To find a way out!

laughs

Of course, there is always MY way...
Oh, I didn't mean to frighten you! Come, let us continue our tour! There is much to see, so look alive and stay together; I'd hate to lose you... so soon!

As you travel past these priceless works of art, perhaps you sense a disquieting metamorphosis. Of course, it is only a trick of the light.

The real beauty of this house awaits us farther on. There's a party in her honor, and she'll just die if you´re late.

Now, curious souls, a carriage approaches to take you to the party and beyond! I'll leave you now, but I'll be waiting for you on the... other side. Have a frightfully good time!

 

[jillrobinson]

I can't seem to find the video on any of the PM sites so it might have been removed I've uploaded it to Google Videos instead, never used this before so hoping it will work for you.
PM Video

 

[wideeyes]

Thank you for the script.