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This first week has been a mix of feelings: excitement, confusion, intimidation, and being absolutely overwhelmed in the most beautiful and exhausting way. My brain is having a bit of trouble thinking in not only French, but also English right now. It's quite funny to try to talk to someone and have absolutely no way of communicating any of the ideas, emotions, or needs in your mind. Whoo we love charades!
It has been so incredible to begin learning the Parisian way of life in every way: dressing well, not smiling at people on the street (very hard at first), always saying "bonjour/bonsoir madame/monsieur" and "au revoir/merci" when you enter and leave a store (so cute and sweet), or sitting for hours at the terrasse of a café. These little nuances have been a few of my favorite parts so far as the language is becoming more than just a class I have taken for the past five semesters, but a living, breathing, vibrant way of life. I can understand the just of what is being said in class and orientation, (yes. orientation is in French. envoyer de l'aide), and I can't wait to be able to respond with more clarity in French.
A bit on learning the language:
When you know something really well, you can break the rules. We do that all the time with English because we think it’s funny or we know what point is attempting to be made. We speak in what one new French friend called, “familiar language” when I tried to ask her to help me learn more day-to-day French.
This is because English is our way of life. We are not going to speak the proper English we learn in school because it wouldn’t function well. Spoken language is always evolving and shifting to its environment because people are always transforming and adapting. That is why it’s interesting, hard, and so so wonderful to be simultaneously learning a language in class and also truly needing it outside of class in order to function. This need to think and communicate in two languages is so incredible because it pushes your mind to find new ways of communicating your ideas. And, as my host mom says, "petit et petit", the language will begin to come more naturally. I hope.
A few quick stories from the week:
My second night here, I asked my host mom (remember, my French is very sad, so I'm very thankful she is patient) how she felt when she found out that Notre Dame was on fire. It was hard to see her become emotional, as she explained that Notre Dame was a big symbol for her faith. She said a bit more that I sadly did not completely understand, but it was a great opportunity to talk about faith and then open up the conversation about my faith as well.
I've already made two fun, random, friends in the city: one lady on the bus who teaches at the Sorbonne, and another lady who's husband works for a well known printing service, Mourlot Editions. She gave me a book of all their prints, so that was quite lovely. So far, I haven't come in contact with a "stereotypical" Parisian/Frenchmen. Everyone I've met is so kind and willing to deal with my bad French.
I went to Hillsong, which was incredible. There was a translator for the service, and all the songs had translations as well. It was so cool to praise and learn about God in a different language. I'm going to try and both join a small group and serve at the church.
Désolé: Encore une chose: One last note about the faithfulness of the Lord:
I was reading in Psalm 12:6 this morning, and was so encouraged. The words of the Lord are flawless!! They are like silver refined in a river of clay.
In this beautiful city, sparkling like silver, as I learn new words in this beautiful language, I trust in the steady words of the Lord. Not only are they strong and bold like the many old churches I’ve been passing, but they’re dazzling and gentle, like the hidden quiet streets I continue to find.
My God is the God of many languages and many tongues. As I navigate taking classes in French and attempting to speak with my host family, I ultimately trust Him for clarity in communication. His words are faithful in any language or tongue.
I’m just so excited to learn this culture, the people, and attempt to, in a very broken and sometimes unclear way, love them as God loves them. This culture is so unique and fascinating, and it has been so incredible to learn how to love people who are different than me.
À bientôt mes chers amis!
Annie
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