Bonjour

                        

It strikes me funny that being in my hometown I say, "bonjour" instead of hello, "pardon" instead of excuse-me, and "merci" in place of thank you. Those French words pop out in a flash of habit, reminding me that France has slipped under my skin and taken root.

Equally surprising is the bombardment of English. It feels strange to understand everything, and not be able to tune out anything. Tidbits of conversations, three dressing rooms down, I hear and I'm intrigued. The words sound fresh and new, like old friends that I haven't heard from in a long time. I realize that I don't have to speak slowly for others to understand me. Soon thereafter I lose my voice from non-stop talk.

When French husband calls he sounds soooooooooooooooooo mysterious, and his accent is kinda renewed to being sexy again. There is something spicy in words being spoken in another language, n'est-ce-pas?

Photo: France it is right around the corner...French wrapping paper and postcard for sale at a nearby shop.

Comments

[Lola is Beauty]

It's so true! In another country you can tune out advertising, the radio announcers etc and make your own world almost, even if you understand the language you have to listen out for it. I find that because I go to Paris so often, anytime I visit another country - even the U.S. my first instinct is to say Bonjour, and I do the Pardon thing too!

[Kristen R]

What a lovely post Corey.

Bisous
Kristen

[Parisbreakfast]

WELCOME Ms. Extraterestial (E.T. for short)
You're a stranger in an unstrange land these days...
:)

[Francoise]

hello tout le monde
je suis française et je vous dis :BONJOUR !!!

[Amber]

That is kind of cool that French Husband sounds sexy all over again, after being here. Yes, I could see that would happen. Nice!

:)

[tommiea]

enjoy your visit, listen to that fabulous French hubbie later!

[Jocelyn]

I love how, in a few paragraphs, you articulate what is so hard to articulate about language and being the minority, etc.

[Jann]

A man with a sexie French accent calls you? How lucky can a girl be.....hee hee!

[Vanessa]

OMG. "Daddy, I want a French Husband right now!!! noooo, Nnnnooooowww!!!!!" Can you please find me one. I can cook, clean, play paino, paint, make jewels, speak Spanish... Ppplease. Oh my, what about Mr. Lovee?? Well, I am not married, May I still have a French man? Please help me. I could live down the street from you... It would be, Magnifique!!!

[pam aries]

wanna hear something crazee!?.... I say the same French words here to everyone I see! every single day! Bon jour.... pardon.,.merci..sil vous plait ! As if it is part of my language!

[Helene]

Je l'ai trouve!!!
Helene

[Di Overton]

I spoke on the phone yesterday to my youngest daughter Charlotte who has been living in Paris for 3 years and on four occasions during the conversation she had to ask me how to say something in English. She is only 21 so speaking French everyday for 3 years has turned her into a French woman. She now even thinks in French. I can't speak a word of it unfortunately.

[french husband]

I call you right now !!!

[la vie en rose]

...but of course...

[Lisa Oceandreamer]

Like a tapestry, the languages weave in and out of your life and make it colorful and vibrant. There is definitely something spicy words spoken in other than English...even an accent can turn a phrase with a new kind of panache. A simple bonjour seems so much more welcoming than the simple "hi". Someone with a British accent could read me the phone book and it would sound interesting.
I've always wished I spoke several languages...one thing that transcends all language around the globe is the language of love. That can be spoken with eyes and gestures no matter where you are!
XOXO
Love,
Lisa

[Marie-Noëlle]

I do understand what you must be feeling... I lived abroad for only one year (in England) and when I came back, some of my sentences included many English expressions or words as I could not recover all my French in one go...
The worst of it was when I ended up driving on the "wrong" side of the road and a lorry was driving to me, same lane!!! The driver kept flashing his lights!!! I felt terrible then! Had to stop at the first car park I found and had a long rest...

[AnnieElf]

It's like living in two worlds at the same time Corey. Each is filled with its own special color, zest, and spice and when blended, a perfect mix. Annie

[Linda]

Every once in a while my French husband's accent sounds cute to me again. I have to remind myself to listen with new ears to him.

[endment]

you have put the experience so vividly! I feel much the same every time I leave Manhattan :)

[cruststation]

Something spicy about words being spoken in another language? Mais oui!

[lisa]

You are just adorable. (This word, like you, is equally beautiful in either language). : )

[constance]

I admire you enormously for taking on a new language when you met Yann.

Isn't intriguing to listen in on others conversations? There is much to be learned. That's why I enjoy the Blogesphere so much.

[ally bean]

"not be able to tune out anything"

There are so many times that I wish that I could not overhear what is being said next to me, yet I can't. Interesting that you noticed that you were not tuning out here in the USA. I hadn't thought of that aspect of language before.

[diana]

im laughing here.... french husbands accent is renewed to being sexy....ooooh ya !!! xoxo sounds like you are savoring every cali moment... xoxo

[Paris Parfait]

Bien sur! I love the poetic sound of other languages, especially French and Spanish. A simple shopping list can sound more elegant in French!

[Jeanne]

When my Grandmother first arrived here from Europe
(Budapest Hungary) at the tender age of 16 she did not know one word of English.
Many made fun of them as newly arrived immigrants.
She has taught herself to read and write English and is a woman I adore.
She is 92 and has taught me the most valuable lessons in life.
I cherish everyone that had to begin a new life in a new land.
Love you
Jeanne

[Jeanne]

Blessings to you my fabulous friend........
Enjoy every ounce of your visit.
I love you dearly.
Be well.
Enjoy the sunshine!

[nel]

I love foreign accents, they open a door into a whole new world! Hope you are having a wonderful time!

[Pauline Clarke]

Mais oui!

[shabbyinthecity]

I have always been attracted to foreign languages and I can't understand people who are turned off by them. Some of us are so closed minded about it and it hurts my feelings when I hear people complain about having to put up with certain language barriers. It doesn't hurt us to stick our necks out and learn to speak other languages. I am learning...une mot at a time :)

[patpaulk]

I think it is so!! I can see where being away from your native tongue for so long would be like visiting old friends. Love the way you think!!

[rel]

Corey,
Oui, certainment!
rel

[Merisi]

I know about that language sensation. After a year and a half of living in Vienna, I still have those moments when I am surprised when I hear or read German words, as if this wasn't a matter of course (there's a lot of English spoken here though, which makes me feel very much at home).
And as far as French Husband is concerned, you know, absence makes the heart grow fonder anyway. ;-)
I enjoyed your excursion with your dad yesterday, very sweet, even if it made me miss my dad.

[tinker]

How extraordinary that must feel, to live in another country, hearing another language all the time, then returning home...
Hope your visit continues to be a wonderful one!