Dear Val
I will continue to argue my perspective but you may choose not to publish it but if you do please do please publish it in full.
Surely the host country is as responsible for an ability to speak its language as the immigrant. The first time I came across a host country bending over backwards for its immigrants was an airport in America where all the signs were in German as well English because of the numbers of the people passing through who spoke only German. My American son-in-law is the first generation of his family not to speak Norwegian and he is the fourth generation migrant. A part timer from Canada to Puycelsi only spoke Hungarian till he was six.
However what bugs me about living in France is the companies and individuals who encourage me to remain English and hope to make money out of me. LeClerc in Cahors with its English signage and the supermarkets with their shelves stocked with overpriced British goods. And then here are the entrepreneurs who cater for our desire for items from British sausages to salad cream. Yes, there are even the newspaper shops make money out of us by selling the news papers, Radio Times and even the Wall Street Journal all of which are available by subscription or online and on time.
And then finally and this may be why you choose not to publish it there is TAG. TAG promotes speaking both languages and integration but really only promotes English speaking companies so encouraging separation. Where are your advertisements for cheap or free French courses, French plumbers or electricians, French churches, French computer experts? There is no research evidence at all that older people cannot learn to speak another language but we are all lazy but if we can get a service in English we will especially if it is in a blog we have come to trust.
Ginny
Val says Ginny I encourage everyone to give their views and perspective, all are valuable. If a post is not insulting to Malc and I or others I always publish and never edit.
Like you I am saddened that I cannot get French tradesmen to advertise on TAG. I have approached many who all say " but most of your readers only speak English, and that is too difficult as we only speak French" There lies the problem with advertising Ginny. Also not once in all the years of writing TAG have I been asked for anything but the names of English speaking workmen, plumbers, electricians, even Drs and vets.
TAG is an English speakers blog whose editor and sub editor try to encourage participation in French life
TAG is an English speakers blog whose editor and sub editor try to encourage participation in French life
Comments to taglines82@gmail.com
