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Le français ate my brain.
I am taking a graduate level course on medieval French lit. At the first session, this afternoon, I discovered what I'd expected, but feared, all along: it's taught in French.
Eeep.
I am acquainted enough with the language to be able to read in it with little difficulty (albeit slowly), and I understand... most... of what's said to me. I think I reliably understood 80-85% of what was being said in class, up to 90-95% if we count things I think I got but can't be sure about.
It's very difficult for me to speak French, though. I keep automatically inserting Italian words, I'm shaky on the simple past and future, I can recognize so many things but vocalize so few.
So the constant dilemma this semester will be whether to express myself in French or in English (something we from the Other Departments are allowed to do) at any given time. I'd like to improve my speaking skillz, but this may not be the perfect venue for that.
Ohh, but it's exciting! I mean, at any moment I might miss something absolutely crucial! That'll keep me on my toes! Plus, the readings are great.
Eeep.
I am acquainted enough with the language to be able to read in it with little difficulty (albeit slowly), and I understand... most... of what's said to me. I think I reliably understood 80-85% of what was being said in class, up to 90-95% if we count things I think I got but can't be sure about.
It's very difficult for me to speak French, though. I keep automatically inserting Italian words, I'm shaky on the simple past and future, I can recognize so many things but vocalize so few.
So the constant dilemma this semester will be whether to express myself in French or in English (something we from the Other Departments are allowed to do) at any given time. I'd like to improve my speaking skillz, but this may not be the perfect venue for that.
Ohh, but it's exciting! I mean, at any moment I might miss something absolutely crucial! That'll keep me on my toes! Plus, the readings are great.
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I don't know! *hides*
It's l'ancien français, the language of (among other things) Chanson de Roland. Is that the same thing as Occitan? I was under the impression that Occitan was a different language (or a different dialect?), but I've no real ground to think this, at all.
Which is to say, you tell me. :)
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When I hear 'medieval French', my mind always responds with 'Occitan', even though not very many people read it these days. I'm stumbling through learning it in my off hours, but I keep mixing parts of it up with modern French, which Elly is trying to teach me.
Quebecois French, to be picky.
And I'm trying to relearn my Latin.
Latin, Occitan, Quebecois. I still insist that if you throw them all together, and add some German, you'll end up with English anyway, so why bother. ;)
Bonne Chance!
I was a stupid, stupid lass and never took a French grammar class (something our friend LoneCleric probably suspects about me, no doubt). However, I enjoyed several French lit classes, taught in French, during college. I enjoyed classes on 16th, 17th, and 18th century lit, as well as a general class simply on how to analyze literature, and did well in all of them.
This will be fun for you! I'm envious. Good luck!
Re: Bonne Chance!
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Those who have not been there may not realize the veracity of this statement. Veek, in fact, lives in an apartment made of Gingerbread.
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ZUT ALORS
BEEP BEEP