Very tempting to take Rochelle up on the rerun this week. The boys go back to school tomorrow for the first time since early April, I got a new job last week and it feels like there’s a LOT to do.
But this story came into my head in the shower and I had to share it. You can check out my original story about this picture here too, and play spot the similarities: https://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/.
French Exchange
When I got home, Mum wanted to know all about the host family where I stayed. They taught me so much – they always followed up with the English if they said something I couldn’t understand. I couldn’t tell her my favourite lesson though.
On the way to a super fancy restaurant for dinner, we were running late when a huge wagonload of straw pulled onto the road in front of us.
“Merde!” shouted the Dad.
The Mum looked at him and whispered “Les enfants!”
So he turns to me. I thought he was going to apologise, but he translates instead.
elmowrites 
Love it! Learning to swear like a Frenchwoman was one of the great joys of my year abroad. This story is full of the illicit joys of being party to something you *know* your parents would have a fit about.
Thanks! That’s exactly the feeling I wanted to conjure. Like the Dad has a moment of rebellion and decides to teach her instead of shying away and she LOVES it! And to be honest, if she’s old enough for a french exchange, she’s old enough to learn that one IMO
When I had language tuition before going to work in a Poruguese speaking country I insisted my tutor devoted one session to swearwords
Excellent! They are as much a part of the language as any other… and probably in higher usage than many things we learned in school!
It’s such a classy word for such an unclassy subject. 🙂 You got the narrator spot on. Well done.
Thanks Sandra! Maybe I should start using the classy version at home!
Fantastic, well if you are going to learn the language, let it be complete and true to life. I bet the Mum clapped him one.
Yes, I don’t suppose his wife was impressed with his version of ‘education’!
Si vulgaire, I’m shocked! Actually, I’m not, expletives are part of everyday language now, no matter which one it is.
Here’s mine!
Glad you weren’t too appalled, Keith! Can’t be truly fluent in a language without all the components, right?!
Right!
LOL! Dads 🙂
They’re the worst. And the best.
Aw I wish this was a true story! Haha
Merde, what a fun story!
Thanks!
🙂 You’re welcome.
What a fun take on the prompt! Really imaginative!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Too deep for my sleep deprived mind today. Oh, Hubby just translated the french for me… LOL!
Oh thanks to your husband! Yes, a little translation needed for understanding. Thank you for persevering!
Dear Jen,
I know very little French but I do know the translation. I laughed out loud.
Shalom,
Rochelle
This is about the limit of my french too. I’m pleased it made you laugh!
This is so much fun. This word must be one of the first learned by any french class, whether teachers like it or not. And you’re right about the expletives. I thought my English was decent, but when I went abroad, the lack of vocabulary on expletives and innuendo made it hard to really ‘get’ what people said.
I’m sure – so much of what we say is based on implication, innuendo and cultural references. Even just moving from one English-speaking country to another, I found myself tripping up on those things, but to change language too must add a whole layer on top!
It’s always good to know how to swear in a language that’s “foreign” to most of those around you. My father could swear in several languages; unfortunately for me, so too could my mother. That’s why I can only swear in two!
Good luck with school and the new job. Hope both turn out well. The first step is often the scariest.
Thanks! Yes, exciting times here. I’m afraid my swearing is mostly limited to the one language – maybe that should be my new project!