we cruel americans. subtitled: french "R"s are important.

TO ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ABLE TO PRONOUNCE THE FRENCH "R" AND ALSO TO ILLUSTRATE WHY BOLSTERING YOUR FRENCH VOCABULARY BEFORE MOVING TO FRANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
(at least by this blogger.)

early in my france experience (when speaking ability was lower), while keeping the triplets mum company in the kitchen while she prepared dinner, i was trying to explain what my sister did for a living in the states.

(english translation follows)

me: "well, you see, she's a social worker. she works with 'foster children'. um. i don't know the word in french, but she works with children who are placed with other families...that aren't living with their parents..."

her: "oh, yes. 'families of greeting'."

me: "yes, families of greeting. and it's up to her to make a recommendation whether or not the fingers* of the parents should be cut off."

all motion immediately stops at stove.

her: "WHAT?"

i have obviously said something NOT right here...

me: "um. well, it's her job to help decided whether the fingers of the parents should be cut off...as in the law?"

her body visibly relaxes.

her: "ah, yes. RIGHTS** of the parents."

i nod enthusiastically.

her: "rights of the parents. not the fingers." she looks relieved. "i couldn't believe the americans would be so cruel!"

(* fingers = doigts)
(** rights = droits)