Conversations

For my French 311 Conversation class our teacher has given us a list of topics that we have to speak about with our families/other native speakers. After we have the conversation, we're supposed to write (in english) the date, participants, how the conversation started, key vocabulary used, information learned about the french culture and then a self evaluation. We've been working on these conversations with our families since we got here, but I've been a bit of a slacker on writing about it. Hopefully I can remember all the "juicy" details.

1. L'éducation
Date: Sept 16/October 22
Participants: Lauren (my sister), her friend, and boyfriend/Julienne Family
Conversation: We started with the three of them asking what we were doing in France and what we were studying. They asked how long we had been in school and we asked them the same.
Vocab: l'école, l'université, un stage, les activitiés sociales
Learned: Their school system is so much different than ours. All extracurriculars are done outside of school. School is just for academic learning. They don't have clubs, bands, or anything like the sort. To me, that is just so interesting, but also weird. We talked about what they like to do at school, at home, with friends, etc. We also talked about how much of secondary education is free. Med school? Free. Law school? FREE. It's crazy. I can't even imagine how amazing that would be.
Self-Eval: I definitely could have done better, but they were talking so far. Luckily for me, when I didn't understand something they repeated it for me. Through that, I felt like I could piece it together enough to understand what was being talked about.

2. La famille
Date: September 16
Participants: Our host family -- The Juliennes
Conversation: This conversation came really naturally because we were just trying to get to know each other. We asked about their kids, their nieces/nephews, grandchildren and their jobs. They asked the same questions to us. They asked what we were studying and why we were in France. They asked about the occupations of our parents. Everything was just very natural and easy flowing. It was our first night there so we were both a little nervous, but it was still a fairly easy conversation to have.
Vocab: un frère, les soeurs, une profession, les vacances, l'université, fer/metal, l'histoire d'art, le français.
Learned: French people speak really fast. I was lost for probably half the conversation. Often they had to ask me questions twice because I didn't catch it the first time. I felt like a complete bozo. Their family is just like mine though. Mostly girls, only one brother. The oldest has two kids. It was just really interesting to see how similar we all were. Minus me not understanding sometimes, it was a very easy and relaxed conversation because we could really relate with them.
Self-Eval: I think I did horribly, but I guess for being my first real conversation with real french people that is to be expected. In trying I think I deserve an A. In succeeding, probably an F. Hopefully this whole conversing thing gets better/easier.

3. L'alimentation
Date: September 20
Participants: Mme Julienne
Conversation: This conversation started by us asking our mom where the nearest grocery store was. We are responsible for dinners Wednesday, Friday-Sun and since this is our first week in the area we had no idea where to buy dinners. Neither me nor Carine can afford to eat every lunch and dinner in the city we wanted to find a grocery store immediately. Our dad told us about a chain grocery store called Super U, but our mom told us to where to get our produce. There are little stores that only carry different fruits and she told us definitely go there for produce. It's usually a little more expensive than a chain store, but the quality is a million times better. She also told us about a "farmer's market" type place that is right next to Super U every Saturday morning. I LOVE farmer's markets so I'm super excited to check it out.
Vocab: la nourriture, un marché en plein air, les produits fraîches, une épicerie
Learned: While there are chain stores where you can get nearly everything, but those are few and far between because the French love to go 100 different places for all their needs. It can be kind of a hassle for an American who is used to one-stop-shopping, but I LOVE going the pâtisseries and the boulangeries. These people specialize in just a few things so you know they take their time and what you get is going to be wonderful.
Self-Eval: I think I did pretty well with this conversation, but again I just need to get more comfortable speaking with native speakers--especially people who are older than I because I tend to get really nervous and feel a lot of pressure to speak well and quickly.

4. L'Eglise
Date: September 23
Participants: L'enseigneur d'école dimanche et quelques autres
Conversation: Because I am "young" and "single" and an "adult" I heard about a young single adult dance that the church was having. I didn't think we'd be able to make it because we were going to be gone that weekend on a trip to Normandy, but they told me about it any. I had to ask the when, where, and what time. They also told me there would be a fireside before the dance and then dinner and dancing. They were expecting a lot of people to be there and thought it would be really fun.
Vocab: une danse, très très très amusant, les jeunes gens/garçons, une activité, manger, le diner, une réunion spirituelle, les jeunes adultes, l'heure, commencer, finir, "just dance"--un jeu éléctronique
Learned: French people love their American singers. I think that is what they were most excited for. Also the french love free food as much as Americans. Every time I go to a church function with young people all they talk about is the free food...the same thing happened here. I'm quickly learning that french people and americans are not that different from each other. Not nearly as different as I expected them to be anyway.
Self-Eval: I got the gist of the conversation, but it was a little difficult to understand. I have only been in the country less than a month and these people sound like they're talking a mile a minute. They mash words together and expect me to understand what they're saying. They definitely don't speak the way we've been taught in all my french classes. Everything seems abbreviated or something. I think what's important is that I tried my best. I asked a few questions and tried as best I could to understand the answer.

5. L'influence américaine
Date: October 11
Participants: Lidwine Julienne (my little sister)
Conversation: I have found that it is a million times easier to talk to my host brother and sisters than it is to the parents so we wanted to make the most of it and have one of our "assigned conversations" while our parents were away. I don't worry so much about the million mistakes I'm going to make. I just don't feel as pressured to say everything correctly and that makes speaking so much easier. Also I obviously feel that I have much more in common with them than with my parents so the conversation is much more natural. We started the conversation by talking about music. She asked what kind of music we like and responded with "yays" and "nays" depending on her taste. She knew nearly all the groups/bands that Carine listed (Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, etc) and absolutely none that I listed. It was really funny because she hated nearly every singer Carine loves. She said that the clothing brands haven't really made it this way. There are a few major American brands like H&M and C&A, but not many have seemed to make the trek and survived. American movies are quite big here. Just last night (Oct 29) we had a conversation with our family about the new James Bond movie. Lidwine even said that her brother has been able to find and watch a few American TV shows online. She didn't seem to have a problem with this form of "American invasion". I asked her about American books and she responded with "I hate books and reading, so I have no idea." Being a person who loves to read I thought this was hilarious and also very sad.
Vocab: une invasion, la musique, le ciné, les films, les livres, les vêtements, les émission, la culture, agacer.
Learned: I think it is interesting that even a little of our American culture has been integrated into every day french living. They are so adamant about keeping the purity of their traditions, customs, language, etc., you would think they wouldn't want to have anything to do with what is going on in American, but that really isn't the case. They have some of "our" stores, they watch some of our shows, see American movies, use VERY FEW American words. I have also noticed that they are very interested in American politics. Right now, I have very little interest in the presidential race, but the topic seems to come up in conversation almost once a week. It's little things like these that have made their way into french living. There is much more than I would have expected.
Self-Eval: I think I did really well with this conversation. During dinners, I tend to be a little more reserved. I listen, try to understand what is being said/going on around me, but I don't usually talk that much. I feel like this time was different. Because the topic was something I was interested in, I felt that I was much more comfortable with putting my two cents in. This was definitely the most I've spoken with a native speaker and it was really fun to be able to converse in a regular way/normal, comfortable conversation.

6. Les fête nationales
Date: October 15
Participants: Lidwine and Lauren Julienne
Conversation: With All Saints Day coming up we wanted to find out more about some of their other holidays and which are their favorites.
Vocab: une fête nationale, les vacances, Noël, un jour férier
Learned: The French have a lot of breaks in school/vacations from work. Also when there is a holiday, EVERYTHING is closed. Basically the whole city of Paris shuts down. I thought it was fun to find out that just like in the U.S. many holidays are spent hanging out with family. For my family, nearly every holiday means family time and I thought it was cool that we are very similar in that way.
Self-Eval: I thought this conversation was really fun so I feel like I did a good job. I feel like I contributed a lot. I asked a lot of questions and learned about their favorite holidays and got to share some of my own.

7. La culture des banlieues
Date: October 15
Participants: Lidwine and Lauren Julienne
Conversation: Because we live in the suburbs and our parents weren't home, we thought this was the perfect time to start this conversation.
Vocab: les jeunes, la mode, la langue, les habitudes
Learned: Our sisters said there really isn't much difference between kids in the banlieues and those who live in the city. Just like anywhere, there are nicer areas in the cities and the banlieues than others. They've never noticed any difference in attitude, clothing, language, etc. Since public transportation is so accessible to everyone styles and habits from the city are easily transported to the banlieues.
Self-Eval: This conversation was interesting but really short. I feel like I contributed as much as I could. I asked questions and commented as much as the conversation allowed.

8. Health Care
Date: October 22
Participants: Julienne Family
Conversation: Our parents were absolutely shocked by how much both medical school and health care costs in the U.S. Our dad is a surgeon and he was bewildered when we told him how much surgery costs in America. They were also shocked to find out about how our insurance works and helping the poor/homeless get aid when sick/hurt.
Vocab: les pharmacies, un médecine, une maladie, un hôpital, les assurances, la sécurité sociale
Learned: French health care is incredibly inexpensive if you have to get surgery. I don't know all the ins and outs of the french health care system, but it seems to work pretty well. The government works really hard to make sure everyone has access to aid. Also their pharmacies are completely different here than in the states. Here they function more as a secondary doctor almost. They give our prescriptions and advice like the ones at home, but they are much more involved in patient care than what I am used to. Seeing a doctor is such a hassle most of the time back home and I think we could really benefit from a system similar to the one they have working here.
Self-Eval: Because I don't know much about my own health care system I didn't contribute much in this conversation, but I did contribute the information that I do know. I also think it is really helpful for me to just sit and listen to others talk.

9. L'actualité
Date: October 29
Participants: Lidwine
Conversation: This conversation started because our mother and father weren't at dinner. It was just our sister. We wondered where they were and turns out they were at a manifestation/rally against gay couples being able to adopt.
Vocab: homosexuel, une famille, adopter, un enfant, une manifestation, une opinion, la meilleur chose
Learned: When the french are interested in a topic, they are usually really passionate about it. They really go all out to show their support and get involved.
Self-Eval: I think I did really well. When our conversations involve just our little sister, it is sooooo much easier for me to get involved in the conversation. She usually talks much more slowly and interrupts way less often. I know it's a french thing..it's how they show interest, but it's really difficult for a new speaker to feel confident in their speaking if they're getting interrupted all the time. Sometimes I find myself holding back during conversations just because I don't want to say two words and then get cut off by someone else speaking. When I talk to my little sister that doesn't really happen so I feel that I'm actually able to speak.

10. Les Étas-Unis
Date: November 5
Participants: The Julienne family
Conversation: Our parents when to New York at the beginning of October and with the election being TOMORROW so we decided this would be a good conversation to have with them.
Vocab: une opinion, une impression, cher/pas cher, vrai, faux, aimer, savoir, Qu'est-ce que vous pensez...., avoir une idée
Learned: Our family thinks the United States is really interesting, especially the election/campaign going on right now. It seems like all of France knows what's happening..which is crazy because when France got a new president, the only reason I knew about it because I just so happened to listen to an international story on NPR. I did get the feeling that they think americans are must less sophisticated than the french. They seem to think we're all loud, crazy, and all we do is party. They most certainly don't like that. This is definitely a stereotype. Obviously that is actually really offensive and kind of annoying. I guess I came into this experience with way too many expectations and the only thing I knew about french culture is what other people have told me. So far some of it has been right, but much of it has been WAY off. It's been interesting to come here thinking certain things and see how much my opinions have changed in the last two months.
Self-Eval: I think I did pretty well. I spoke and gave my opinions when I had them. I tried to interrupt and show that I was interested (because I was), but when you are as slow a speaker as I am, it is really difficult to feel comfortable interrupting. Hopefully I get better at that. We'll see :) Even if I spent at least half of the conversation just listening, I still really enjoyed it. Also because my comprehension is not super great, I really think that one of the best things I can do is to listen, pay attention, and try to focus on understanding as much as possible. Going into these conversation that way really has helped so much. I feel that my comprehension has improved since getting to France. Even if my speaking isn't great, I do enjoy just sitting and listening to people talk--trying to see how much of each conversation I can comprehend.

11. La mode
Date: November 7
Participants: One of the employees at H&M
Conversation: I was shopping in their store and was looking for a specific item. I didn't find what I was looking for there, so I decided to ask around and find out if anyone knew any other good stores to shop at..anything with a similar style/similar items to those at H&M. I love H&M, but I really do want to buy things from french stores. They have H&M in America and I want to find stuff that not many other people have.
Vocab: Les vêtements, un style, une boutique, le prix, la marque, pas cher, acheter, trouver, coûter
Learned: French people love their shopping. Especially young people. They don't have a lot of thrift stores, but they do have some and those are really fun to go into. You kind of have to hunt to find really good stuff, but it's awesome if you do. They also have a lot of American brand clothing stores that have become really popular here. The prices are generally the same, number wise, here versus in Americ...we just have to deal with the different currency rate. I think that is fantastic. When I came here, I thought the prices were going to be absolutely out of control, but really they aren't. The number on the tag is basically the same. For me, that is really exciting!! I am a girl so obviously I love shopping. It's nice to know that I'm not paying ridiculous amounts of money to get roughly the same products as the ones I can get in America. I have found a couple really awesome french boutiques and I can't wait to go back to buy gifts/souvenirs for my loved ones at home.
Self-Eval: I think because this was a conversation I was very interested in, it was really easy for me to participate. I really joined this conversation. I was able to ask questions and for the most part I understood what the woman was saying. It made talking with her really exciting. I was just overjoyed that I was actually understanding what was being talked about.

12. Quel type d'art préférez-vous?
Date: November 26
Participants: Lidwine, Mme Julienne, Carine
Conversation: This one started because Carine and I were talking about all the homework she needs to get caught up on, mainly reading her book for 345. Our family asked us what type of book, how many pages she has read, how many pages there are, what the book was about. The book is about the impressionists and so that led into other arts and art movements. For me, it was a very easy flowing conversation. It was the most natural conversation I have had here in France. I love talking about art and hearing the opinions of others regarding all type of art.
Vocab: une tableau, l'artiste, un peinture, l'art moderne, l'impressionist, un course d'art, qu'est-ce que tu n'aimes pas?, un ligne fine/clair, les détails
Learned: I learned that my family seems to really enjoy talking about art. I also think they were genuinely interested in what we as Americans thought about the art that basically grew out of their backyards. My mom seemed shocked when Carine said that she didn't like impressionist art. It was pretty funny. It seemed like the french are very proud of much of the art that has come out of this area. It doesn't have to be from one specific art movement or anything, they just seem to like it and take pride in it all.
Self-Eval: I loved this conversation and I honestly feel that this was the most I have talked during a conversation since I got here. Usually I spend much of my time listening and trying to understand what is being said, but this time I actually really participated...even more than Carine..which NEVER happens. I am quite proud of myself for how much I talked during this. Our mom was there, which usually makes me more nervous, but I don't think I was even nervous speaking in front of her. I was just telling Carine that I'm kind of nervous for our Conversation 311 "test" (aka our one on one conversation with our teacher) because I really haven't been speaking that much french here, but with this conversation, I just started talking and it was really fun. It flowed quite naturally. I didn't have to stop and think, "now what am I going to say next." I think that's what catches me up every time and makes it so I don't 100% participate in the speaking part of conversations. I get so nervous about saying things incorrectly that I sometimes don't speak a ton, but this conversation was not like that at all. I just started talking, didn't think about it at all, and I really enjoyed speaking with my family.

13. L'avortement en France
Date: November 27
Participants: Julienne Family
Conversation: Our little sister was talking about this topic because they were discussing it in school today. We started asking questions, whether this was as controversial issue here in France as it is in the United States. Yes was the answer. Then we talked a little about whether we were for the issue or against it. Carine is anti and I am pro. For me it was really interesting to see how just how strongly our parents feel about this. We could tell just by how "upset" they got when we talked about how many abortions there are every year. Our mother also told us a story about how her friend has a handicapped child and how many people told this poor women that she should have aborted as soon as she found out there would be problems with her child. Our mother said that everyone told her she should abort. I may be pro abortion, but to hear what some of those people said was really sad.
Vocab: un avortement, se faire avorter, une poubelle, handicapé, handicapé mental, un échec.
Learned: Our family seems to have many of the same values that we, as mormons (in general) do. I know that is a very broad statement, but I feel that for the most part, the Church feels certain ways about certain issues, whether they publicize those views or not, I think that they are pretty well known. It's kind of cool to see how, even though we are so different in many ways, we're exactly the same in many as well. We also learned that there are over 200,000 abortions ever year in France. Once again, when the french are passionate about something, they really are passionate. Our family is very against abortion.
Self-Eval: I didn't speak up a whole lot in this conversation because their views on this topic are so different from my own, and I didn't want to start an argument and not be able to defend my opinion. I did talk a little bit. We discussed the views of many americans in general and I participated in that portion of the conversation. While I didn't contribute much orally, I do feel that my comprehension of french has gotten much better. I do feel that just being able to listen to people speak has been wonderful for me. I've noticed that I don't have to concentrate so hard to understand what people are saying. Sometimes I still don't understand, but some things are coming a little easier for me now and that is so fantastic.