h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK I've commented on this rather than the other as there seems to be some consensus that we are moving towards a straight entry on helpful French phrases, based on this one - as Spaceman Spiff suggests we can always complete with a separate piece on useless but amusing phrases afterwards or add some to this to lighten it up?

Anyway some comments on the straight version - some suggestions based on my experiences of travelling in places where I don't speak the lingo, transposed into French.

Everyday phrases. After I don't understand, you could add

Could you say that again please? Est-ce que vous pouvez repeter svp?
Could you speak slower please? Un peu plus lentement svp?
Could you spell that for me please? Est-ce que vous pouvez l'épeler svp?

Introduction - simply saying "enchanté" for pleased to meet you is so much more common that we should at least put it in as an alternative.

Could we offer the feminine versions (anglaise) etc, for female researchers - admittedly without a pronunciation guide it could be difficult for someone who doesn't speak a word to spot the pronunciation difference, but still...

Mealtimes - at the end, the English and the French has got swapped over, you've got breakfast twice and then again for orange juice. I would put "un verre du vin" rather than du vin. Perhaps we could even specify the colour as otherwise that is going to be the next question...

"Is the tip included?" could be handy perhaps in this section?
You could also put un thé (a black tea as per your comment on coffee)
Linked to mealtimes - I always seem to need to ask for a bottle of water - "une bouteille d'eau plat svp" ou "petillante" for those that prefer.

Under questions, I also seem to need to ask "where can I change money" "Ou est-ce que je peux changer de l'argent" and Can I have a town map please "Est-ce que je peux avoir un plan de la ville" (once I've found the tourist office...) Where can I buy stamps/a phonecard is another classic.

All I can think of for the time being - exhaustive is obviously not an option but there may be a few more bits that would be helpful. Apologies if I've put any of the accents in the wrong place - I haven't got a dictionary with me.

Sprout

thanks for those comments and suggestions, sprout. Some good stuff there that I shall endeavour to incorporate soon.

Perhaps some handy additions to add would be, "How would one say this?" or "What is this called?" As you may encounter something familiar to you that you cannot yet say in french. While envoking the phrase would require additional gesticulation on the part of the speaker, it would be invaluable as one who might wish to immerse himself in the french culture and not want to speak any english to get help.

You might also wish to consider "Do you accept [American] currency" which I believe is spoken as "Acceptez-vous l'argent [American.]" (sp?) As some of us on the northwest side of the pond have Quebec as a neighbor and acceptance of both currencies is commonplace both here and in Quebec. (Although the smart traveller will always exchange currencies in a bank prior to the trip to get a preferred exchange rate.)

C'est-Bien!
-Rob
N1FSK

definitely a great and useful entry [well useful for me as i'm going to use it as an example during my french tuitoring today ] and has now a link on the French Language Help Desk page A1022310 ...

another addition?!...
as there is something for "is it forbidden?!" could there be something as well for "is it allowed?!" [est-ce permis?!]
just to be on the safe side so to speak...

talk soon...

loup