Languages on Le Puy?

[Stellere]

I'm considering walking Le Puy in 2016.

I'm a language hobbyist. I already speak French and Spanish. When walking the Frances in Spain, I often found myself wishing that I could communicate in Italian or German.

If I were to learn the basics of a language other than french before Le Puy, which one would be most useful?

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Only French will be of much use!

 

[newfydog]

I have a French friend who has done many Caminos with a Dutch friend. They have found German to the best common language for them to talk to each other. But, as Falcon says, French is pretty much the language.

 

[fraluchi]

When in Rome, do as the Romans do! The same applies for when in France!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

If you were able to speak German you might be able to help translate from/into French for those Germans who don't speak another language. But really, French is pretty much what is spoken...
Margaret

 

[Kitsambler]

The Germans who don't speak French, speak English. The French who don't speak German, speak English. I suspect you have that covered. 85% of the walkers on the Le Puy are French speakers; the remainder are from the Low Countries, North America, or German-speaking lands. I generally found the innkeepers would put the French-speakers into one room, and the rest of us into another. That worked pretty well, actually.

It's helpful to remember to speak English as a Second Language, which differs from the English we speak at home with each other. What's that? (1) Speak more slowly, (2) Intentionally use simple sentence construction, (3) Avoid figures of speech or regional expressions. (English speakers sleep "like logs", while the French sleep "like babies". etc etc). This is a tough go; you really have to translate your thought from "home English" to "English as a Second Language". In some ways, it's an entirely different language: both grammar and vocabulary are different.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

(4) Louder is not clearer. Repeating something five times at a progressively louder volume does not work in either English or French.

 

[Felipe]

My impression is that, as regards pilgrims, English is the unofficial second language in the Camino. So, you can start trying your few French or Spanish words in the path, because some fellow walkers could turn into basic English if needed, and when you are more confident, try your phrases in hotels and bars (where locals are probably more used to foreign people), and finally in the streets. This gradual approach has worked well to me (except in Upper Baviera, in the jakobsweg, where I discovered that older people and peasants speak a local dialect with an accent that, with my very limited comprehension, I could not understand at all )

As for Stellere's initial post, if you speak already Spanish, you are probably able to understand and communicate acceptably with Italians. So, German could be a good choice (maybe with the addition of some Bairische Dialekte words and expresions, so you can greet people with a proper Grüß Gott).

 

[Richo]

The Germans who don't speak French, speak English. The French who don't speak German, speak English. I suspect you have that covered. 85% of the walkers on the Le Puy are French speakers; the remainder are from the Low Countries, North America, or German-speaking lands. I generally found the innkeepers would put the French-speakers into one room, and the rest of us into another. That worked pretty well, actually.

It's helpful to remember to speak English as a Second Language, which differs from the English we speak at home with each other. What's that? (1) Speak more slowly, (2) Intentionally use simple sentence construction, (3) Avoid figures of speech or regional expressions. (English speakers sleep "like logs", while the French sleep "like babies". etc etc). This is a tough go; you really have to translate your thought from "home English" to "English as a Second Language". In some ways, it's an entirely different language: both grammar and vocabulary are different.

Particularly: speak more slowly. Especially if you have a non USA accent.

 

[SYates]

Learn Québécois, I met plenty of them once I hit Le Puy ;-) SY

 

[NavyBlue]

Hello,

When I walked the Chemin du Puy, I regretted I had not polished my german a little bit. I would have been more confortable at dinners with my old/rusty/broken german and german fellow pilgrims would have felt less isolated.

 

[billmclaughlin]

(Funny how many people don't really read the opening question!)
Since you're a hobbyist, I'd say go with German. There are occasional German-speakers who are somewhat isolated. Not all speak English or are comfortable in it. I had some French Alsatian friends who made a point of engaging with German-only hikers and their efforts were much appreciated.

My own German was far too rusty to use, but the Germans/Swiss were amused that I could always tell what they were talking about. I could only demonstrate some knowledge by quoting long-ago-memorized poetry, mostly things I know because they've been set to music by great composers. Like Hermann Hesse's "On going to sleep", best when sung in the Richard Srauss setting:

Now that day has tired me, my ardent desire embraces the the starry night like a weary child.
Hands, stop all your work. Brow, forget all thoughts. Now all my senses want to sink into slumber.
And my soul set free will soar in free flight into the magic circle of the night to live a thousand times more deeply.

Nighty night.

 

[Luka]

I would also recommend German. But don't expect many occasions that this will be of use.

 

[newfydog]

The only chance I had to use German out there was a few restaurants we shared with a group of Germans with an extremely loud tour leader who would translate the entire menu (poorly) with inaccurate commentary on the cuisine. I would have much preferred not understanding it all.

I should add that on another trip we shared a gite with some super nice Germans, and I got to do the poor translation.