When I think in French, there are no limits
2 months ago I was interviewed for a French podcast “Moi-même en français”. We talked about my experience with French, predominantly what keeps me “myself” in that language. It got published last week and I couldn’t keep calm since because of the joy I felt. The moment I listened to that podcast, I felt immense pride about the creativity & determination I have put in to achieve what I have today in French. Hence, I thought of writing a small article about the same and also for my friends who are English speakers & cannot understand my fascination while talking on that podcast. So, I will be covering all the important topics discussed.
The Podcast link – [Only for French speakers]
Quand je pense en français, il n’y a pas de limites
What pushed me to learn this language
In the beginning, it was an obligation. I moved to France in mid-2018 and I realised that English wouldn’t be enough if I wanted to immerse myself here & get a job. So, I started learning. I was not even happy to start learning in the beginning but over time, I realised that I was good at it, I started enjoying the process and it became my love. That’s the reason I even continued after being back in India in late 2019.
What do I do to keep myself motivated?
I aim to spend at least 5 hours per week with this language – it could be watching something on Netflix, a French series or a movie, or something funny on YouTube, reading posts on Linkedin or articles on the Internet, or even listening to music, all in French. This keeps me motivated and inspired to continue on this beautiful journey.
Relevant article:
- Importance of having an objective while learning a new language (En)
- Que fais-je de façon à progresser en français? (Fr, B2/+)
Besides, whenever I feel like I’ve been neglecting my French practice, I have a secret weapon – my “booster”. It’s a dedicated day, usually on the weekend, where I fully immerse myself in all things French. This is what I do:
- French Movies Only: From morning to night, if I want to watch movies, it’s all about French cinema.
- YouTube, Insta and Netflix in French: Whether it’s funny videos or documentaries, everything is in French.
- Reading and Writing in French: Blog writing, LinkedIn posts or notes – all in French.
- Bonus Croissant Moment: If I can find a local French café, it’s the cherry on top.
This ritual not only rekindles my love for the language but also reignites my passion for the journey. I think this kind of booster can work wonders in any context.
Moreover, it was the influence of the French that gave me the idea to create a blog. Initially, I engaged in writing to hone my French skills. However with time, I discovered that I had a lot of ideas and things to share, so I started blogging, both in English & French. The same happened with reading. I was never a fan, but to practice French, I used to read articles and that continued and now, I like reading on an occasional basis.
When I think in French, there are no limits
One of the compelling things I have realised in this journey is that I feel freer in French. Yes, every time I speak French, I have this feeling of being more open, more flexible and more free. I did not know why until I read an article a few months ago titled “I’m sexier in French” by someone on Medium that gave me some ideas for structuring my thoughts. So, here I summarize them in a few points –
The past does not exist
I am 34 years old and until a few years ago, French was not there. Whatever I lived until I was 31, French was not a part of it. Whereas what I experience today, it’s there. But my past does not exist in the world of this language. Of course, there are memories and everything that I even talk about today in French, but the two phases are not linked because I lived my past in Hindi or English. Maybe it’s too simple to say that but, every time I talk about the past in French, it’s as if I’m outside of everything I’m talking about, as if I’m another person. Do you see what I am trying to say here?
A new language often equals a new personality
If you learned a language during your adult life, I imagine you will easily understand this if I say that we are different when we speak in another language. What’s interesting here is that this rarely happens when we learn it during our childhood. Maybe I’m wrong! For example, there are emotions or thoughts that I can only express in French. Even when I try in English or Hindi, I find it difficult to do so. I think it is because it’s the language that transforms our ideas or thoughts and reflects them in our personality. I believe we have all heard this phrase: We are what we think.
Every time I speak to my friends in French, I can see how easily I can express myself. I wonder if it’s just me. Previously, I was not comfortable expressing myself, sharing my emotions or being vulnerable but now I am developing this ability with this language and it makes my life easier and freer.
– Anurag
There are no limits
With the new language, I am new, I can be whatever I want. I can talk about whatever I want. I can express myself however I want. There is no limitation, no conditioning and no resistance. Perhaps I am mistaken but I think we always have words, sentences that we refrain ourselves from saying, even thoughts or emotions that we don’t allow ourselves to express, as if we ran into an obstacle. Isn’t it?
One of the reasons why we have these limitations is because we are conditioned. However, with this new language, we can transcend this limit. Of course, I’m not saying that this is “the” way to do it, but one of the ways. It would be too simple otherwise. Every time I speak to my friends in French, I can see how easily I can express myself. I wonder if it’s just me. Previously, I was not comfortable expressing myself, sharing my emotions or being vulnerable but now I am developing this ability with this language and it makes my life easier and freer.
How do I measure my progress?
Some elements help me see the progress, like:
- DELF B2 in 2021: Passing DELF was a huge wine. Back in my teenage years, English was a big struggle. I always either used to fail or got very low marks. It wasn’t until I entered the workforce of 23, I started getting better. So, when I passed DELF-B2, I was on cloud nine.
- Another significant marker was my trip to France 6 months ago. Spending nearly 3 weeks communicating exclusively in French. I had a realisation in the 2nd week while being in the middle of nowhere in the north-west of France in a village called “Lannion”, I was overwhelmed by the sense of joy I felt.
French, for me, is more than famous landmarks. It’s about culture & people. Being able to connect with them through the language brings me immense happiness. - Also, writing articles reflects my progress. Comparing my recent work to that of 1-2 years ago shows the improvements in – The choice of vocabulary, the structure or expressions.
Relevant article: Mon parcours en français [Fr]
Conclusion
Well, this podcast served as a big reminder, of how much I am immersed in this journey. I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of this beautiful voyage. A special thanks to Alice again for providing me the opportunity to contemplate and reflect on my journey, crafting a meaningful memory from it. Can’t wait to make more memorable moments soon!
Voilà! Thank you for accompanying me on this journey and taking the time to read until the end. I hope my experiences offered valuable insights. If there’s anything you’d like to share, discuss, or simply say “Hi,” don’t hesitate to reach out. I cherish the connections we make through our stories and experiences.
Take care!
Connect with me on LinkedIn !
Recent Comments