Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravanning and Camping Abroad 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: French phrase books Post Reply Post New Topic
Personkirsty12
29/6/2015 at 11:00am
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Robens Klondike & Mazda CX5 View kirsty12's Profile View Profile   Reply to kirsty12 Reply   Quote kirsty12 Quote  
Joined: 02/5/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1078
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I really need to start reminding my self of the basics and learn new phrases. I'm meeting myself coming back on Amazon and the library has nothing of any help. They are either just dictionary's or guide books with "some" phases.

Can anyone recommend a book for me to learn the basics and to take with me into restaurants/ supermarkets while we're out there please?.

The other issue I have is that I lived in Italy a few years ago and learnt Italian fairly well. My brain automatically thinks in Italian and when I'm trying to remember my school girl French, I'm not sure whether it's French or Italian . I'm going to come across as a right weird Brit


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


PersonCrach
29/6/2015 at 11:13am
 Location: France
 Outfit: Hobby 460Ufe View Crach's Profile View Profile   Reply to Crach Reply   Quote Crach Quote  
Joined: 07/4/2013

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   580
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
If I remember your earlier posts you are heading for Sarlat, in which case you will hear more English spoken than French

If you ask in French in a shop or restaurant you will more than likely be answered in English to ensure that they have understood you correctly..


Personbilly
29/6/2015 at 11:15am
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400 View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
Joined: 19/4/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4364
Site Reviews Total: 39
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 6  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 7  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 121
Site Nights 2023: 45
Site Nights 2022: 91
Site Nights 2021: 112
Site Nights 2020: 84
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Rather than learn complete phrases from phrase books I find it easier to learn the basic phrases like have you got and what is and so on and the names of things separately. Always be a bit humourous and keep a smile on your face saying please and thankyou and the French like you for it.

As for books, any French dictionary and phrase book is as good as any so save your money and find them on carboot sales. Obviously a bigger one will be more comprehensive but more difficult to carry and refer to when out and about.


PersonMick+Tina
29/6/2015 at 11:38am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Elddis Crusader Cyclone + BMW X5 View Mick+Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mick+Tina Reply   Quote Mick+Tina Quote  
Joined: 02/10/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   658
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have an App on my phone for any language translation, also when you speak into it it translates as well.

-------------
Regards

Mick + Tina

Good Bye To Our Abbey Spectrum 520, Hello To Our Elddis Crusader Cyclone


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


Personkirsty12
29/6/2015 at 11:47am
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Robens Klondike & Mazda CX5 View kirsty12's Profile View Profile   Reply to kirsty12 Reply   Quote kirsty12 Quote  
Joined: 02/5/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1078
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I was a little concerned about that Crach

I still want to try though, i'm going for the French experience and i'd love my son to have a go or at least watch me trying. He's too young for me to be an embarassment yet .

Thanks Billy, that's just what i'm aiming for, having a go. Nothing worse than seeing a Brit not even bothering abroad. I'll keep my eye out for books in the next week or two.


Advertisement



Personkirsty12
29/6/2015 at 11:49am
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Robens Klondike & Mazda CX5 View kirsty12's Profile View Profile   Reply to kirsty12 Reply   Quote kirsty12 Quote  
Joined: 02/5/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1078
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks Mick & Tina, good idea!


PersonSGThomas
29/6/2015 at 12:29pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6707
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 15 
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 98
If you want a very useful little publication:

French Phrase book and dictionary by Philippa Goodrich, BBC Publications ISBN 978-0-563-51918-8

It is small size and covers everything from explaining "personal" things to a chemist, to eating in poshest restaurants

The best dictionary is "Dictionnaire Anglais Larousse"
ISBN 978-2-03-587272-2

This has all the latest text speak, slang and idioms.
Phrases like "Allez cul" and "ne sois pas si con" are in it. The Collins or Oxford dictionaries are not so up to date


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


PersonCrach
29/6/2015 at 12:37pm
 Location: France
 Outfit: Hobby 460Ufe View Crach's Profile View Profile   Reply to Crach Reply   Quote Crach Quote  
Joined: 07/4/2013

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   580
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by kirsty12 on 29/6/2015
I was a little concerned about that Crach

I still want to try though, i'm going for the French experience and i'd love my son to have a go or at least watch me trying. He's too young for me to be an embarassment yet .




You'll have to head for the least touristy places in the area, the little villages which time has passed by where they won't speak english, but a 'patois' which is the french equivalent of 'geordie'. There you will sit in the restaurant not really knowing what you have ordered, but hoping it is not 'andouillette' or worse..


Personkirsty12
29/6/2015 at 1:56pm
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Robens Klondike & Mazda CX5 View kirsty12's Profile View Profile   Reply to kirsty12 Reply   Quote kirsty12 Quote  
Joined: 02/5/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1078
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks Stuart that's really helpful.

I'm going to try at least once, somewhere in the middle of nowhere and hope for the best Crach. We did book Sarlat knowing they'd be British about, it's our first trip so a bit of a practise run really.


Personsarahlr
29/6/2015 at 3:37pm
 Location: Cotswolds
 Outfit: Vango Shangri La & Renault Grd Espace View sarahlr's Profile View Profile   Reply to sarahlr Reply   Quote sarahlr Quote  
Joined: 04/9/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   512
Tent Reviews:   4
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
It's good to try out your French, they really do appreciate it. In St Gilles last year, our family was congratulated by restaurant staff as we all spoke in French, even my nine year old was brave and had a go!

Don't worry about switching to Italian, my hubby often starts off in German (worked in Germany a lot a few years ago) but it always raises a smile!

Have a lovely time Kirsty, you are going to have a ball!

-------------
Tent + food + glass of cider + friends = perfection

May: Drybrook, FoD
August: La Garangeoire, Vendee
Plus a few local weekends


Advertisement



PersonNRT1
29/6/2015 at 4:11pm
 Location: Norwich
 Outfit: Bailey Olympus 504 - Honda CR-V View NRT1's Profile View Profile   Reply to NRT1 Reply   Quote NRT1 Quote  
Joined: 29/7/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   95
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
My French is clearly fluent as someone in a market once asked me where in Germany was I from!

Best French tuition I have come across is a set of CDs by Michel Thomas. He makes it seem so easy. You may be a bit short of time for that though, although good to listen to driving along.

-------------
Neil


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


PersonOliverDay
29/6/2015 at 8:14pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View OliverDay's Profile View Profile   Reply to OliverDay Reply   Quote OliverDay Quote  
Joined: 11/1/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2328
Site Reviews Total: 24
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I do the same as Billy. A few basic phrases tends to get me by for most things that I require.

The trouble starts when I ask the question and they respond in French as if I am also French. It is then that I have to say "non parlez francais" or "Je parle un francais tres petites".

-------------
Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup


Personkirsty12
29/6/2015 at 8:18pm
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Robens Klondike & Mazda CX5 View kirsty12's Profile View Profile   Reply to kirsty12 Reply   Quote kirsty12 Quote  
Joined: 02/5/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1078
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks for the great replies


PersonJuneR101
29/6/2015 at 10:38pm
 Location: Hertfordshire
 Outfit: Pennine Countryman View JuneR101's Profile View Profile   Reply to JuneR101 Reply   Quote JuneR101 Quote  
Joined: 20/3/2010

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   155
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 5
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
If you want to brush up your French and have a really useful phrase book as well then have a look at '15 Minute French' from Doring Kindersley.

There is a good offer here

Bonne continuation!

-------------
Enter your zip code here


PersonVal A
30/6/2015 at 7:07am
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   18741
Site Reviews Total: 30
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 4
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Our Canadian/Irish friend in the village has just come back from his first trip to the Dordogne and stayed in Les Eyzies. He said he hardly heard a word of French in his four day stay - and just like Crach said, he found that if he tried to speak French he got a reply in English.

We listen to French radio all the time, and you will find this helps to 'attune' your ears to listening in French. This is as important as speaking some French, as there is little point in asking a question, and then not understanding the reply. Study some potential answers to your questions as well - at least basic ones. And, as everyone says, smile a lot! If you come out with the wrong sort of bread, or three things instead of one (or as I once nearly did with 5kg of mince instead of 500 grams) then just make the best of it. I really thought the butcher I'd just asked was mincing a whole load for the shop, not just for me!

As Crach says (again) the local accent may be very difficult to understand - and may bear little resemblance to the French in your phrase book. In this area it's a very Catalan accent, and the pronunciation of some words is entirely different - even numbers!


Personalpiner
30/6/2015 at 8:32am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View alpiner's Profile View Profile   Reply to alpiner Reply   Quote alpiner Quote  
Joined: 08/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2264
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Lots of Phone apps will do the job, you could also do some practesing using google translate on your computer.
below is the first one i found there are lots more
Phone link

-------------
alpiner



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravanning and Camping Abroad - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

8161 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder