Saturday, November 19, 2011

Slight Mis-Interpretation

It is not uncommon for conversations in French to take place in our household daily.  These are usually between Ari and Dan, with the slight input from Jared and I here and there.  Dan remembers a ton of French from high school classes and Ari is currently taking an advanced French class in school.  Jared is taking French at his Montessori school and I can pick up a word or two sometimes if I have a flashback to high school (though, I try to avoid flashbacks to high school....it's better that way!)

We just sat down to dinner tonight and Ari turned to Dan and said:
Tu est faim?

Dan looked slightly appalled and responded to Ari (in English) "I'm sorry, did you just ask me if I was a girl?????"

She actually asked him if he was hungry.  It would have been "femme" for a girl.

The em-pha-sis on the wrong sy-llable can really throw the whole meaning off.....and that could've been a much more awkward conversation had it not been between Ari and her Dad!

2 comments:

Sharalea said...

Ahh the joys of the emphasis in other languages!

I have a handful of stories from my experiences w/Portuguese...hilarious!

I love that you have French language practice at home...HOW FUN IS THAT!?!?

DF.LoyE said...

First of all, correct form should start with, "Vous"

Respect, and all...