One of the regrets of my life is that I never did learn either French or German. My mother is Quebecoise, my father first generation Canadian of German extraction. But for a number of reasons, they did not teach me their ‘mother’ tongues.
I have tried to learn another language as an adult, but it seems my brain just isn’t wired that way. I really envy people who can speak more than one language – it seems almost magical that some people are proficient in more than one language.
So when I was asked to present seminars, workshops and the general session address for the ATQ (the Quebec provincial weaving association) I was flattered – and very intimidated!
The ATQ has been great to work with – they are arranging translation of my handouts – and while many people do speak English in Quebec, I felt it was important to learn at least some words in order to be able to communicate a little better.
So I asked a friend who speaks French to translate a list of words I felt were important for me to know – or at least be familiar with – and made a Power Point presentation for the workshop A Good Yarn (Une Bonne Fil) in both English and French.
This workshop has a lot of technical information in it, so it is important that everyone understand what is being presented.
I can’t guarantee that my French version is correct, but hopefully it will be accurate enough so that people will get the gist. And I’m sure that there will be enough people there who understand both languages that we will all benefit from the experience. I know I will.
Currently reading Dead Cold by Louise Penny (the Inspector Gamache series which takes place in the Eastern Townships of Quebec)