French natives in the Triangle? (Chapel Hill: chapel, living in, office)

[chaskfrazier]

Is there a particular area in the Triangle where French natives (people who speak the language) live? I'm interested in finding a buddy (prefer female) to practice speaking French with. I would like to learn to speak French "conversationally" ...not what they teach in phrase books. I want to meet someone who is a native, with a strong accent who also wants to learn to speak English better. If you are this person or know someone who is, please contact me via e-mail chaskfrazier@yahoo.com Merci

[RaleighRob]

I don't know about natives specifically, but the Triangle does have a French language Meetup that meets regularly. I heard they got a few dozen members, even. Look them up at meetup.com and see if it sounds interesting to you.

[chaskfrazier]

Thanks Rob, I'm familiar with this group but hadn't given it a shot yet. They are mostly Americans who like to practice and speak French with each other...which is not exactly what I'm looking for. I want to learn "pure French" from natives with the correct accent and all. I'd even like to find someone who speaks no English (or very little). That's why I was inquiring about maybe a possible French community here in the Triangle.

Thanx again for your help. Perhaps someone in that meet up group can help me connect. If you can think of anything else, please don't hesitate to post it here or e-mail me directly.

[DebbieF]

I wish I could help you. I am french, and didn't speak english until the 2nd grade, but my french really stinks now. Both my parents speak french well,but live in CT. I always wanted to go back and refresh all of that. I am now working with a girl in my office who is also french, and says she has to get me speaking french again. I know I would love to, so we'll see.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by chaskfrazier

Thanks Rob, I'm familiar with this group but hadn't given it a shot yet. They are mostly Americans who like to practice and speak French with each other...which is not exactly what I'm looking for. I want to learn "pure French" from natives with the correct accent and all. I'd even like to find someone who speaks no English (or very little). That's why I was inquiring about maybe a possible French community here in the Triangle.

Thanx again for your help. Perhaps someone in that meet up group can help me connect. If you can think of anything else, please don't hesitate to post it here or e-mail me directly.

You are not going to have much luck finding a French émigré living in the US that doesn't speak quite a bit of English.

And honestly, even if someone from France does speak English as well has their native language....it doesn’t 'contaminate' their spoken French. I imagine that most would find it very off putting to be honest.

When my mother was visiting (speaking her contaminated French since she's been in this country over 30 years) she found quite a few native French speakers just by going to a few French resturants. There is a French speaking community in the Triangle, but I can't imagine that any such community would meet your requirements.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by DebbieF

I wish I could help you. I am french, and didn't speak english until the 2nd grade, but my french really stinks now. Both my parents speak french well,but live in CT. I always wanted to go back and refresh all of that. I am now working with a girl in my office who is also french, and says she has to get me speaking french again. I know I would love to, so we'll see.

Isn't it amazing how easy it is for us first generation American children can loose our original language. I can still understand msot of it, as well as read, but to speak...eeeeeee.... c'est très mal !!

[chaskfrazier]

I get the feeling that you are misunderstanding me...quoting the word 'contaminate' and saying that someone would be put off. If you are/were "put off" or offended in anyway by my comments, I apologize. Perhaps I'll just forget this whole idea.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by chaskfrazier

I get the feeling that you are misunderstanding me...quoting the word 'contaminate' and saying that someone would be put off. If you are/were "put off" or offended in anyway by my comments, I apologize. Perhaps I'll just forget this whole idea.

I think the idea of you looking for native speakers to learn from is a great idea. It really is one of the best ways to learn a langauage. My mother belongs to a informal group of people that come from France that meets several times a month to have dinner and talk. Many times someone who is learning French asks to sit in for a time to polish their skills.

However, it just doesn't have to be from someone that speaks no English for this to be worthwhile.

[CLTbound]

My guess is that you may find native French speakers, willing to teach/practice the language, near Chapel Hill and Duke.

[alice_61]

There are also quite a few recent immigrants from Africa who speak French.