J'aime la langue

Friday, March 4, 2011

Bonjour, mes amis! As I've mentioned, I'm currently learning french. Class is in a creaky old house shared by a bread bakery on my favorite corner in Harvard Square (Brattle). It's been lovely.


Learning, in general, has always acted as caffeine for my art inspiration. French class is serving this purpose like a large Burdick's dark hot chocolate would (Cambridge folks, you know the powers of this beverage!) When my mind is told to stretch, art making always follows. I've been dreaming in french too–waking up with little bits like "pas du tout" "deux par deux" floating around in my head. Though I'm not any good yet (see below), I want to soak in every bit! It is decoding code, listening for jewels in sentences and stringing them together, trying to make that french "R". It is like learning to dance; falling down over and over until you muddle through on tiptoes and find your balance just one sentence long...

Mes devoirs français (starring Claude + Gerard):

8 comments:

Charla said...

Good for you, Julia!! French is such a fun language to learn, and it's so useful to know (despite what many naysayers told me when I decided to take French in high school instead of Spanish or German). My teacher was a lovely, spirited woman who wore scarves and jumpers and would sing us songs from Les Misérables. Needless to say, it was my favorite class!! I hope your new language bring you lots of inspiration!!

À bientôt! :)

Jessica Ramos said...

That is amazing!!! I am part French and i never learn it. I am want to learn it someday. You are so lucky!!

jacklynn4 said...

charming:)!
jackie

www.juliadenos.com said...

Charla, wow, your teacher sounds like a perfect character! love it!

Jessica: you should try it out!

and thank you, Jackie (how are you doing in your classes?)

Unknown said...

Sounds wonderful, Julia! I'm curious as to what kind of class you're taking (I'm sorry if you mentioned it before and I just missed it!). I've taken a couple classes at NYU as part of their Continuing Studies program but found it really unfulfilling. Most of the people there were taking it because work required it and there was a general lack of enthusiasm. And the class moved reeeeally slow. Wondering if an immersion type school would be better? Would love to hear more about your class!

www.juliadenos.com said...

Hi Laura,

It's beginner's french in 4 parts at the Adult Ed. school in Cambridge. Everyone in attendance is picking it up for travel or general interest so we all have a lot of fun. It's not immersion (those sound amazing though) but here's the Alliance Française in NYC (we have one in Boston too): http://www.fiaf.org/about/index.shtml

They even have immersion weekends! oooh-la-la!

Anonymous said...

Tu apprends le français? C'est bien, bravo! ;-)
I got to know your blog through Lani of Mon Petit Chouchou. Your illustrations are truly delightful, love them!

www.juliadenos.com said...

Oui, je ne comprends pas plupart du temp, mais j'adore à ecouter...merci!

(Just read your detailed run down of the couture exhibit in Paris...I will NEED to make that a stop of mine next month! How beautiful!)

xo