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> I find/found the lack of colloquialisms one of the biggest problems with it. This is actually a big problem with how people perceive language in general. It'
by SicSemperUranus 4y ago
> I find/found the lack of colloquialisms one of the biggest problems with it.
This is actually a big problem with how people perceive language in general. It's hard to understand if you only speak one language, but the idea of a language as a discrete unit is a myth. Here in Québec there is Québécois French, which in and of itself is a generalization, as many regions have different accents and expressions.
In France there are many kinds of French. Some people say they "can't even understand" people from a certain other region... That's pretty much where a dialect crosses the line into a language!
In general people will learn what we call "international French", which is spoken by no one but understood by all. But good luck navigating the subtleties of a French-speaking society without being familiar to their regional dialect.
- Leherenn 4y agoI think you're vastly overstating the differences that exist in French. It's mostly accents with a few distinct words/expressions. The grammar, spelling, syntax and everything else is the same. Sure, someone with a strong uncommon accent can take some effort to understand ("can't even understand" is a clear exaggeration except in the more egregious cases), but the language underneath is the same. French is very standardised, and "international French" is spoken by everyone. That description would fit something like German much better.
- simlevesque 4y ago> "international French" is spoken by everyone You sound clueless. The majority of people don't speak "international French". Do you even speak french ?