French New Hampshire (Manchester, Nashua: house, school, to live in)

[scone]

Reading the Wikipedia article on New Hampshire, I've learned that about 1/4 of the population is of French ancestry. And googling on this, there seem to be some French cultural associations in the state. I was just wondering-- is anyone here French? Do you speak French (preumably the dialect of Quebec)? Have French words become part of the local dialect? Just wondering, because my DH speaks French (he's a Brit) and I'm sure he'd like more opportunity to practice, even if it's just looking at a French film. As for me, I need the subtitles.

[seamusnh]

There is a significant Quebecois population in NH. It stems from the days when they came to the state to work in the mills in Manchester and Nashua. At my ATM in southern NH, the language choices are English and French. Many towns have Franco-American clubs. Pick up a phone book and check french names such as Oulette...

[WannaComeHome]

... or Thibedeau!

[countrylv22]

HELLO THERE!


I believe there is a poster here that tends to take AMAZING pictures, his

name is "VERSEAU" (check out our picture thread) I believe his Father is

French Canadian And he is fluent in French. Also, I believe that the further

you are to the north of the state, you feel more of the French influence

And "VERSEAU" (his screen name) is also well versed on the subject,

linguistics, etc.

Take care

Countrylv22

Originally Posted by scone

Reading the Wikipedia article on New Hampshire, I've learned that about 1/4 of the population is of French ancestry. And googling on this, there seem to be some French cultural associations in the state. I was just wondering-- is anyone here French? Do you speak French (preumably the dialect of Quebec)? Have French words become part of the local dialect? Just wondering, because my DH speaks French (he's a Brit) and I'm sure he'd like more opportunity to practice, even if it's just looking at a French film. As for me, I need the subtitles.

[lisa g]

I also have a French name ending in 'eau'!!!

[jthibodeau]

I'm of Acadian decent but, I'm afraid to say the language of my heritage has escaped me. One thing you'll have to understand (perhaps your already aware of it) is that perhaps the French language that your DH speaks may be more Parisian (taught in school) rather then French Canadian. The dialectics were separated by time once the pioneering French settlers came to the new world to seek freedom from their native land.

You may consider contacting American-Canadian Genealogical Society located in Manchester. They may be able to help you out with further information.

[scone]

Originally Posted by jthibodeau

One thing you'll have to understand (perhaps your already aware of it) is that perhaps the French language that your DH speaks may be more Parisian (taught in school) rather then French Canadian.

True, and I don't speak his English very well, either. Who said "two countries separated by a common language?"

[Cindy, CA]

My family is French Canadian and it is the first language of my parents and their generations upward. I have several older cousins who indeed still speak French along with all my aunts and uncles. I speak very limited French but understand a lot of what is spoken to me. My parents moved to California over 40 years ago(now retired back home in Maine) and figured they needed us to speak English in order to live in So Cal so they ditched most of the French in our house So very sad as I would love to learn the language. To me I hear it and it is a feeling of "home and family" to me.

As a previous poster said, it is different than the Parisian French and in fact my family speaks what is considered a "slang" form of French Canadian. When we travel to Canada, my parents are always being corrected by the locals-which we have always thought quite funny

My mom is here now and has been teaching my kids some simple French like merci, bonjour and counting to ten. They have really enjoyed it.

[jthibodeau]

Originally Posted by lisa g

I also have a French name ending in 'eau'!!!

That signifies "Son of". (Ex: Thibod"eau" is basically Son of "Thibod"). And, for you history buffs, Thibod or Thibeaud was a Grandson of Clovis, King of the Francs.

[WannaComeHome]

I never knew that, that's pretty neat!!


(sorry I misspelled your name.. I never was very good at French - only recognizing it)