Avoid faux pas, speak French

I’ve found many advantages to learning a new language, but none so great as avoiding the dreaded faux pas. Learning French can also help avoid unthoughful comments, foot-in-mouth and a range of other word-related diseases.

Because I have to think harder before answering a question, and there is an extra second or two delay in my response - and I can’t always make the ‘witty’ remark which just popped into my head - I’ve hardly said a thing in French I’ve regretted.

There are of course the humorous language mistakes I make, such as getting the words for donkey (ane) and soul (ame) confused. "Jesus will save your donkey," gets a few strange looks. But these mistakes are humorous at best and a bit embarrassing at worst…but not serious.

I knew my French was improving some months back because my tongue started answering before I had a chance to think. This represented an improvement in language but a backwards step in avoiding unthoughtful comments.

Several months ago we went out with a group of missionaries for dinner. Going out for dinner is always an experience which you have to prepare yourself for. It's not unusual to place an order, only to be told 30 minutes later "C'est fini" (It's finished). You then place another order and hope for the best.

This particular night out was exceptionally frustrating, because it included a 2-hour wait...and to rub salt into the hungry wound, we received our bill before our food.

As we left the restaurant, the staff called out, "La prochaine fois" (See you next time). Before I knew it, I responded "C'est la dernière fois" (That was the last time).

It's amazing how quickly the tongue works, and it is no wonder the Bible refers to its harmful potential so frequently (...angry tongue, foolish tongue, complaining tongue, gossiping tongue etc). The tongue really does need taming.

So, here's my conclusion: Speak French, and avoid unthoughtful comments for about six months. When the tongue starts answering for itself, switch languages. Problem solved.

Jon