Help a yank with the language. Pleeeez

[HeyKoolaid]

We're going to DLP in March, and I have only been to Paris once, for 1 day. How do you native English speakers handle the language in DLP. Do you strictly speak English, and assume everyone will understand? Do you already speak French? Should I hurry up and try to learn some basic French (I speak fluent Spanish)? Will I look like a complete idiot if I try to speak lame french? Any guidance will be helpful.

 

[Disneyfoo]

Hi I don't think it will be a problem even if you don't speak any French at all! Most CMs speak English, I think for each language that a CM speaks they wear a corresponding flag on their name tag (so you may well be able to speak Spanish to some!). I don't remember having to ever speak more than very, very basic French courtesies and that was only because I feel rude not doing so! I don't think you will look like an idiot if you try and speak French! You may as well give it a go

 

[Pakey]

We were there last month. I only knew how to say please, thank you, hello in French. I called a few weeks before we went to make ADR's and had no problems on the phone with an English speaking CM. We had one meal (Blue Lagoon) where our CM spoke limited English but he was very friendly and tried hard--we did get what we ordered so he did okay! Other than this one CM, everyone else we encounted spoke excellent English. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and everyone we encountered there also spoke excellent English.

I had the best time there, everyone was so nice and the parks are gorgeous. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[bavaria]

While not a 'native English speaker' I will chime in. I am a firm believer that as a visitor to a country it is a sign of respect to greet people and thank people in their own language. I travel around the world about 300 days a year and do take the time to learn the basics of language and custom.

In France in particular it is important to greet people with 'Bonjour Madame', etc before conducting your business, as well as to thank them before departing. This is taken very seriously and if you omit the greeting you won't get off to a good start.

Learning 'hello, goodbye, thank you, pardon me, excuse me' don't take very long, but will go a long way towards showing your respect for your hosts.

As to the amount of English spoken, I can only go by what others have written here as I am fairly fluent in French and thus conduct transactions in the language. In DLRP and major tourist sites you will most likely find English speakers, but at the metro ticket window you may not. The same for shops - if you are at one of les Grands Magasins chances are that the clerk will speak some English, but go into a smaller shop or bakery and the chances are far less.

Even if you don't speak it well, the fact that you have made an attempt to learn the basic courtesies will be appreciated.

 

[sjaakie]

No sweats there,

CM are supposed to speak English, French and there home language. A friend of mine is in training at this moment in DLRP and he says it alls goes very smoothly.

As for the rest of France, we work a great time of the year in France.
Quit often I am forced to do my shopping in little places with only one bakery and one butcher.

I just say : “Excuse-moi, mais mon Francais est terrible”.

It break’s the ice and with hands and feet you will come a long way.

 

[tennisfan]

While not a 'native English speaker' I will chime in. I am a firm believer that as a visitor to a country it is a sign of respect to greet people and thank people in their own language. I travel around the world about 300 days a year and do take the time to learn the basics of language and custom.

In France in particular it is important to greet people with 'Bonjour Madame', etc before conducting your business, as well as to thank them before departing. This is taken very seriously and if you omit the greeting you won't get off to a good start.

Learning 'hello, goodbye, thank you, pardon me, excuse me' don't take very long, but will go a long way towards showing your respect for your hosts.

As to the amount of English spoken, I can only go by what others have written here as I am fairly fluent in French and thus conduct transactions in the language. In DLRP and major tourist sites you will most likely find English speakers, but at the metro ticket window you may not. The same for shops - if you are at one of les Grands Magasins chances are that the clerk will speak some English, but go into a smaller shop or bakery and the chances are far less.

Even if you don't speak it well, the fact that you have made an attempt to learn the basic courtesies will be appreciated.

I totally agree with this, just making an attempt goes along way. Its been a while since I did French at school but I still remember the basics.

 

[Ware Bears]

In France in particular it is important to greet people with 'Bonjour Madame', etc before conducting your business, as well as to thank them before departing. This is taken very seriously and if you omit the greeting you won't get off to a good start.

Even if you don't speak it well, the fact that you have made an attempt to learn the basic courtesies will be appreciated.

I just say : “Excuse-moi, mais mon Francais est terrible”.

It break’s the ice and with hands and feet you will come a long way.

This is the beauty of the internet ~ it's so easy to read up on another country's cultures and customs before you visit so that you don't make a major faux pas.

This year we went to Provins for the day and, apart from the clerk at the tourist office, we managed the whole day totally in French, from paying the bus driver, watching a horse show, right through to choosing our yummy picnic lunch from a bakery. Of course, hands did come into it an awful lot at the bakery!!

This may not seem much to those who are fluent in French but to me who hasn't used it since taking my O level too many years ago to remember and DH who never even studied it, it is a HUGE accomplishment!!

 

[peajay18]

I can only echo what others have said - as long as you know the basics "hello, thank you etc" then you'll find that language isn't a problem at DLRP.
The CMs appreciate your attempt at speaking French (no matter how bad it may be - and believe me, mine's bad) and they will very likely speak English better than many of us English-speakers manage Francais.
And as Disneyfoo pointed out the CM badges indicate what languages they speak so you're bound to find some fluent in Spanish too!