Brittany...is English widely spoken?

[whitbybabe]

We are going to Brittany at the end of this week, via Dunkirk and Dover. I am a bit worried as it seems that Bretons(local Brittany folk) don't seem to speak much English. We have been teaching ourselves basic French from an AA pocket guide, but I don't want to appear ignorant when trying to communicate. Any tips?

[itsmeinnit]

I've been to Brittany a few times and found that most people connected with the tourist trade spoke very good english. However, an effort to speak french was appreciated.

[whitbybabe]

Thanks for your reply.x

[jno]

You can go a long way just by pointing at things. And if you're staying in a touristy hotel the staff will quite likely have bit of English (it's not that far from Britain, after all.) But it never hurts to have a few French words for toilet, ice cream, chemist or anything else you think you might need. No harm in appearing ignorant if that's what you are; you're not required to learn the language of every country you may visit.

[chazza]

I have to say that no it is not widely spoken as it is not a touristy area (the part we went to anyway) so most of the native English speaking people who were there tended to speak in french to the locals

[Lil O'lady]

Like Jno says, it depends on where you are. Round the coastal resorts you will find people who can understand you, and if you point at menu items / watch the till at the checkout you can get by. Remember to be polite even in English - good manners cross all boundaries. Breton has a position similar to Welsh in that there is a separatist movement associated with the language, but you seldom encounter this on holiday.

[Naomicorlett]

Just got back from Festival Interceltique in Lorient Brittany and used my very rusty schoolgirl french described by one of my friends (!) as comedy french and got by and also got lots of smiles for trying. A simple phrase book is useful but as I said a smile and a pointy finger goes a long way. Have a good time. Oh Looking at your dates you are prob already there ...hope you had a good time and ate lots of crepes.

[Andyvon]

As in most countries, the French appreciate anyone who makes an effort to speak their language. The French are known for being cold and unfriendly to the English but that's only to those who bark at them in English on the arrogant basis that "I don't speak your language so you had better speak mine"! Can you imagine walking through Whitby and someone barking at you in French expecting you to understand because they couldn't be bothered to learn a few words of English? How arrogant you would think them. What would be your response whitbybabe? You wouldn't smile at them or make them welcome.

At the end of the day it boils down to respect. Of course, you don't have to be fluent but it isn't hard for someone with a decent brain to learn a few basic words and phrases. I didn't learn anything at school as I never bothered going, but I've learned to speak reasonable French simply by visiting France many times and making the effort to speak French. As soon as you do then you find people more than happy to help with words and phrases and French is so easy and pleasant to learn. It's been years since someone screwed their face up at me and said "Pardon?" or just "Ugh?"

Being successful in business I've spent most of my life travelling and I've found I get around very well in most countries by learning a few basic words before I go. I always learn 'Please' & 'Thank you', 'Yes & 'No', the numbers from 1 to 10, and words like 'Coffee, Milk and Sugar'. If you combine those with gentle hand gestures and facial expressions and smiles you won't have trouble anywhere. I suggest you spend an evening learning those few basic words of French whitbybabe. The French will appreciate you making the effort and they will like you for it. They won't like you speaking English to them. You will be in France after all. If you show people respect in their own country then they'll respect and help you.

Have fun whitbybabe. I love France and I'm

[Andyvon]

"........sure you will too" was then end to that post.

[whitbybabe]

Thanks for all of that,but we returned Sunday 16th after a very successful week( language wise ). We travelled all across the area over the week and ALWAYS found that French people seem to have a basic grasp on the English language. We are amazed by how quickly we picked up the language ourselves. We tried our best to speak as much French as possible in shops , restaurants etc. However I don't see us going to that particular area again. Its ok if you are old, like churches, like walking up lots of hills, if you like flies, and are generally a fan of the quiet life. As you can imagine, my 15 year old son (16 next month ) was not impressed, and I agree with him. Ok, the area is stunning in certain areas, and their coastline is lovely, but just not for us. Have to say aswell, the people were lovely, so freindly and we hardly saw an overweight person (apart from us ! ). No, only being observant, they eat little and often, something I have taken on board since we returned.

[Naomicorlett]

Ah thank you for posting about your holiday. We go to an enormous inter celtic festival there so are never bored but I can imagine that just touring with a 15/16 year old would be hard work.