How to Learn French
Many people think of French as the language of love. Some may be reminded of the banter in a Parisian café, or deep meanings in an independent art film. French is a language that is steeped in a lot of history and tradition, and is considered as a tongue of class and sophistication. Yet behind all the romance and the traditions of French is an important, useful language.
French is a very complex language, and it takes a lot of time and practice before you can perfect the way it rolls off your tongue. French is also a very important global language, especially in diplomacy and international relations. Once you know how to read, write, and speak in French, you can have the edge you need to succeed on a truly global scale.
Learn the Basics
Like English, French has rules and conventions for grammar and spelling. Most people are taught English as their primary language; the good news is that French shares many of the rules and elements of English. There are some things about French, however, that you need to keep in mind:
All nouns in French are considered either masculine or feminine.
Spoken French requires many inflections and accents that are not present, or rarely used, in the English language.
The verb is a very important element in French. Verbs can act as modifiers for sentences, change tenses, or alter the voice of a sentence (whether it’s passive or active).
Adjectives, determiners, and articles in the French language correspond to the number and the gender of the noun that they modify.
French classes at university can help you learn the basics of French, as well as advanced courses in speech and writing. Some universities may also offer comprehensive courses in French, like a bachelor’s degree, or even a master’s or a doctorate in French language and literature. This doesn’t mean, though, that you cannot teach yourself French.
Reading in French
One way that you could learn French fast is to start reading books written in French. You don’t have to force yourself to read grown-up books like French technical manuals and philosophical tracts; you can start with simple books like cookbooks, children’s stories, or even tourist guides. You can then move on to more advanced reading when you’re comfortable reading basic French.
Another way that you can help yourself read French is to take an identical copy of the book translated into English. While you wouldn’t take the literal meaning of each word in the sentence, you would at least understand the phrasing and the sense of it. Over time, you’ll need to move on to reading French books and newspapers without the aid of an identical copy phrased in English.
Writing in French
The French alphabet uses the same 26 letters found in English, with the addition of some special characters:
Diacritics and accents like the circumflex, the acute, the grave, the cedilla, and the diaeresis
Ligatures like æ.
Once you have mastered reading in French, you can now start to write letters, essays, or even poems in the French language. You can start by copying and transcribing French words and phrases, and comparing them to translated versions of an identical book or other reading material. You can then analyze and study the similarities and differences between the phrasing of an English sentence and the phrasing of a French sentence. At first, you will not get a perfect French sentence, although over time, you’ll get the hang of the rules and conventions of French grammar and spelling.
Speaking in French
Many people study French speech because it is very helpful during a vacation or when eating out at a fancy French restaurant. You can learn how to speak French through a phrasebook, or a tutorial tape or CD.
Conversational French is something you could use for ordering a meal, asking for directions, or buying stuff at the market. Many French people do know how to speak English, but conversational French helps you get around a French-speaking area faster and more conveniently.
Advanced French can only be learned, taught, and practiced in a French class. Advanced French lessons teach you how to pronounce all sorts of French words correctly, and expand your vocabulary and knowledge of the French language.
Whether it’s about love or diplomacy, French is a very important and valuable language to learn. With these tips to help you study and use French, you’ll gain a whole new understanding of the world through a different language.