Entry #4

Interactions :

This week, during a conversation about colors of eyes, I learned that there is not translation for "yeux pers" in English !!!

When you talk about "yeux pers" in English, you should say "blue-green eyes" even if this is not the only tone (blue-violet, blue-grey...).

Bill taught me the difference between "I don't care" and "i don't mind" !

I don't care is more like " je m'en fous" in French, it is colloquial langage !

I don't mind is more like "Ça m'est égal".

I noticed a difference between American English and British English. When I learned English at school in France, we learned British English so I can do this comparison.

With the verb "to have" in present simple, negative form, British people say "I haven't" and American people say "I don't have".

My sister told me that at University, her English teacher said " What is this ? It is not correct ! I've never hear "haven't".... 

Internship vs Classroom

The real difference is the vocabulary I think !

In classroom, the vocabulary used is about the course and the subject of the day ! I do not know if I can called this vocabulary "specific" but I don't remember the half because I don't need it to communicate. 

When I speak directly with people, not like in class, I am much attentive. I retain better and more. I pay close attention at structures and words. Generally, people to whom I speak, know my English level so they are carefull with their pronunciation and the speed of their speech !

Learning strategies : It is really natural so everybody use it without knowing !
I am really attentive, listening and more talkative. When I do not understand I ask and sometimes I use my knowledge (cognitives).

Difficulties.... When people forget that I am not bilingual and they begin to speak quickly... STOP !
Sometimes I am really lost but I learned to ask because a conversation is not a monologue, especially when you should answer a question !
The intelligibility of pronunciation and the lack of articulation. My knowledge in English is from British English. And pronunciation between American and British English is very different !
Tiredness ! My internship is on friday and it is the last day of week.... Seriously, when I am tired I have lot of difficulties to communicate and to focus !


Vocabulary :

Winterise

There is no translation for this word. It means "préparer pour l'hiver" and that can be used with everything.

Binder
It is interesting because the translation for "binder" in Quebec is "cartable" and in France is "classeur". For French people, "cartable" is a schoolbag or a satchel !

Hoodie
Interesting too because in Quebec the translation is "chandail à capuche" and in France is "Sweatshirt à capuche" ! Yes this is one of our anglicism.

To opt out/To opt in 
The translation of "to opt in" is "choisir de participer" ou "s'engager" and of "to opt out" is "choisir de ne pas participer".

Beaver
Yes, I know it is a shame... but I am not Canadian so I did not know the translation of "castor"!