The Trouble with French

Learning one language is hard. Have you ever seen a little kid trying to speak? They speak a mish mash of something, and then every once in a while a recognizable word comes out, and they are so proud of themselves. So try adding another language in there. Not only does it make for Undistinguishable conversation if you don't speak both languages (the poor babysitter!), it also makes for some major, um, misunderstandings.

Observe.

Charlotte and I were in WalMart, cruising the kid's book section. She grabs a book about farm animals and shouts out, "LOOK MAMAN, A BIG COCK!" I watch in horror as other shoppers glare at me, and try to rectify the situation by saying just as loudly, "yeah, baby, that is a big ROOSTER, good job for remembering it in French!".

Or the classic, "Look Maman, a baby FOCH! A baby FOCH!" Yeah, baby, that is a baby SEAL. Good job for rembering it in French!"

And on it goes. Innocent words in one language are a nasty taboo for children in another. How do we deal with this? While part of me finds it absolutely halarious, I am nervous for the day when she'll say it at church when we're not there or around the wrong person who doesn't know she's speaking French, and have social services called on me. Hopefully she'll soon be able to distinguish the difference between the2 languages.

In the meantime, if you hear a toddler screaming what you think is something foul down the book isle, it's just my kid. Excuse the French.

Charlottisms

My 21 month old is a talker. She's always been pretty vocal, but now the words are flowing fast and furious, in French and English. She loves phrases like, "oh, it's stuck Maman!" "Oops, I farted. Scuse me!","We live in Canata", "Kiss on my booboo?","I'm Chaaalotte", and my ever favourite, "Go away Maman whom I love!!" (and yes, she really does say that, but in French Vas-t'en Maman que j'aime!)

While there is no end to the things that come out of her mouth, the other night had Julien and I in stitches. I was sitting on the couch with her, enjoying a night time cuddle before she went to bed. All of a sudden, she got a mischevious look and, pointing to my chin, said "Maman, there's a blueberry in there."

I was a bit puzzled as to what she was talking about, until I touched the area where she had her little finger and realized that I had a zit the size of Texas on my chin (thank you pregnancy). I laughed and said, "No honey, that's not a blueberry. It's called a pimple." She then said,"no, blueberry in there. No, apple". Then she started giggling like a school girl, like her joke was the funniest thing ever. Then she moved in closer, scrutinizing my zit like she was a dermatologist. The she gave her diagnosis: " Maman, no apple. Banana. Banana chin." At this Julien and I burst out laughing, and she kept repeating in a sing song voice " Maman banana chin. Maman banana chin."

So yeah. My baby daughter has already started making fun of me. I have no idea what this child will be like later on. But I sure hope she keeps her sense of humour.