Do You Speak French?

This is a question I am asked over and over again. My response is always "yes and no". I have studied off and on over the last few years at the Alliance Francaise in Washington. The results of all this work are a solid grasp of the vocabulary and grammar and a good comprehension of the spoken language. However, my only downfall - and this is a significant downfall - is that I am a very hesitant and quiet speaker.

It was interesting to find the other day while reading Jason Stone's posting - Throwing Off the Shackles - that others are also having trouble finding their voices with this language. I couldn't help but leave a comment.

"Jason ... today's item was very interesting to me as well. I live Washington DC and have studied off and on at the Alliance Francaise. My first instructor informed me that my name (JP) sounded horrible (I couldn't help feeling that my dear parents did me a great injustice but bestowing the family initials upon me). She said dramatically in FRENCH for all to hear that from that moment forward I would be called Jean-Paul. Then after the second or third week of class, she recommended that I drink a glass or two of wine before arriving to class. In spite of her, I continue my quest to learn the language. I also find that when in Paris this Washington DC extrovert becomes a rather meek sounding guy. Hopefully, with time I will overcome my meekness and will be able to at least be heard when I speak."

So the answer to the question is - yes, I speak French in a very hesitant and quiet manner. Hopefully my journey on the way to Paris will afford me the opportunities to become less hesitant and a little more forward in my manner of speaking.