Speaking Corramente

While in Geneva, I have found myself immersed surprisingly in none of the four national languages, nor in English, so much as a 5^th language that may be familiar to some of you: Franglais.

Franglais is a little like “Esperanto” – a language Dagny did a lovely presentation on in Jaci’s class yesterday, so it is fresh on my mind. Esperanto was an attempt to create a language that would be easy to learn so that members of the UN would be able to communicate without linguistic barriers, miscommunications, or hierarchies/ divisions caused by language.

Franglais is more of an organic Creole, serving many purposes. As well as building bridges between speakers of different languages like Esperanto, Franglais has many stylistic purposes that place it a cut above what I will refer to here as “Traditional English” though that may be a PARAPLUIE term.

Adding a hint of a romance language into the POTAGE of your daily speech really brings out the zest or intensity in phrases that have dramatic implications such as « That’s what YOU pense” or “que’est-ce que c’est happened?” The element of surprise is like an implicit exclamation point.

Alternativelty, franglais can, in certain contexts, give an edge of superiority or sophistication. It says "I am not only pretending/ attempting to be bilingual. I have the confidence to ride the wave that is the erosion of two languages into one and dit ce que I darn well Veut" Speakers of franglais are pioneer of the future, not natives anywhere but nomads everywhere.

Some common uses of Franglais:

“Are we prêt?”

« She didn’t succeed in getting the avocat» (**note: use with caution. This creates some fantastique ambiguity regarding whether “she” failed to obtain a lawyer or an avocado)

« Il me faut un nap »

« This ascensure is a piece of zoot »

“Quelle sour-puss” (and its uncensored variations)

“That is just pas juste!”

And perhaps the most common and beloved: “quoiever”

Franglais is used not only among my circle of acquaintances, but in Geneva itself… I saw a gym called “EXERSUISSE” and a beach called “BABY PLAGE”

Similar, but not to be confused with franglais is the construction of French phrases in the English language such as:

“I am following a class about 2 times a week” (as in learning in a classroom, not creepily stalking a group of students on a bi-weekly basis)

“I am in the bus” (in traditional English this would communicate and image of being digested by a bus with personality like the magic school bus or the catbus in Totoro)

“I have 20 years” (you've lived 20 years or you have 20 years to live?!)

“I take myself a shower” (in T.E. (Traditional English, this has a sort of a southern feel “I’mna take me self a shower”)

“The words escape language” (like one of those phrases that foreigners say that make you forget what is actually correct because the new version sounds so charming)

“We have to continue upstairs” (for continuing uphill on a mountain path… for relation to TE, see above comment)

Or, some very fascinating results can come of literally translating French idioms and importing them into the English language, as in “she laughs like a whale.”

These phrases tend to build a sense of incroyable intercultural unity and faith in language’s ability to transform and grandir… nothing is really set in pierre. tout peut change.

It's a good idea to expose your children to franglais at an early age in order to build their confidence in linguistic improvisation and understanding of other cultures. Take them to a Baby plage near you and let them mix with other young pioneers. Sometimes audio tracks are available at progressive local libraries. Don't perd a moment!