Celine Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I was with another English speaker yesterday who told me how clever she was to have learnt several slang terms in French eg. flics and a few more vulgar phrases. I was wondering how these sound to a native Frenchman coming from a foreigner. Do we gain more authenticity by using them or do we sound stupid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 [quote user="Celine"]Do we gain more authenticity by using them or do we sound stupid?[/quote]No and yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 So if I shouldn't say "mince" when something annoying happens, what should I say? I can't say "il appelle un chat un chat" I have to say "il est très franc". Seems very dull to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoverfrog Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 not long after I moved in a neighbour I'd never met before called at the front door to tell me my sheep were down on the main road at Credit Agricole. "Me**e!" I exclaimed without thinking, then apologised. She laughed and said it was "very french!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 It is very difficult to judge the exact weight of these expressions if you are not a native.I could use some of the worst, but am confident that I would just come out sounding ridiculous.It is like foreign people who say 'he is a bl**dy b*astard': each word is right but that particular combination doesn't quite ring true.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I understand there are some words best avoided; I don't say "Put***" even though it is very common. I once went on a package tour where the Spanish courier had picked up the word "bloo*y" and used it all the time with effects as described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Some Dutch acquaintances used f**ng instead of very. They were slightly bemused when I informed them that some people find it quite offensive!My French isn't bad but I err on the side of polite - don't want to cause any offence! Mind you, my mother (French parents but born in London and has spent all her life in the UK) recently referred to some naughty guests I had had as "andouillettes". Made my neighbours hoot!Fi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 As long as they didn't refer to her (or you) as a " boudin" that's alright..[6] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Sounds nasty[:)]Btw, will reply to your pm later when brats filed!Fi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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