1/01/2009

Happy 2009!



I would like to thank every contributor and every reader that helped keep this place alive throughout 2008. Please stay tuned for more great stories on the slow rot befalling the French cultural empire.
Have fun and don't speak French!

Unfrench Frenchman


4 comments:

Edward J. Cunningham said...

Ironic that you should urge visitors to your forum not to speak French when many of your recent posts have included French text!

As it is, I am trying---with the help of Google---to post at that Breton message board in French. (I am also including the original English because I know Google will garble my meaning.) Basically, I'm curious to know if Bretons prefer that their land be called "Brittany" in English, or if they would prefer "Bretagne" or another word. Hopefully, they won't take offense at my attempt to communicate with them...

My post

Unfrench Frenchman said...

"Ironic that you should urge visitors to your forum not to speak French when many of your recent posts have included French text!"
Quoting and speaking are two different things.

"Basically, I'm curious to know if Bretons prefer that their land be called "Brittany" in English, or if they would prefer "Bretagne" or another word."
As a Breton, I don't like my country to be referred to as "Bretagne". I am personally happy with "Breizh" or "Brittany" are much better options in my opinion. Call it "Breizh" and they will love you.

"As it is, I am trying---with the help of Google---to post at that Breton message board in French. (I am also including the original English because I know Google will garble my meaning.)"
Many people on that Breton board will understand your post if you write it in English. They all have had English classes, you know (every French kid is compelled by law to attend junior high after elementary school. At junior high almost all of them start being taught English, and most will study it until they pass their university-entrance diploma ). If there is something they don't understand, they'll ask. However, you will be an instant hit if you manage to write part of your reply in Breton (Brezhoneg), but they may forgive you if you don't. :)

Edward J. Cunningham said...

Thank you! "Brezh" is probably the best answer, although someone on that board replied and said that "Bretland" would be a better word than "Britain."

I did not realize that you were Breton, too. If that is the case, I think I can understand where part of your animosity towards the French language comes from. Trugarez for replying to my post!

Anonymous said...

L'anglais, langage des homosexuels.