Since there's no War of 1812 forum..."Parlez-vous français?"

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Last weekend I submitted my application to the National Parks Service to be a volunteer at the River Raisin National Park Battlefield. I could be doing anything from digging holes, to helping with archaeological digs, to building something, to entertaining visitors. I will most likley be somehwat involved in all of the above and then some.

One thing they mentioned is that they need people who can speak French as part of the living history. Though I am not a reenactor, I can see some 1813 period french farmer's clothing in my future, along with some basic French. Maybe even a fusil-de-chasse! They also said they need someone to demonstrate muzzleloaders and teach school kids how to drill. Sounds like fun.  

So, the subject of this post is: Has anyone here, in their adult life, decided to learn another language, and if so, how did you approach it? Did you use a program? I have heard Rosetta Stone doesn't work as well as the $400 price tag would have you believe. Any experience? What about some of the online courses? I do not want to spend a ton and do not need to know how to read or write, at least off the bat. Basic stuff is fine:

"Bonjour! I am So-and-so, and I have made my home here in New France" etc etc.

Any ideas?

[Riley/MN]

I am currently using Pimsleur's Ojibwe course to pick up a few words.

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I am currently using Pimsleur's Ojibwe course to pick up a few words.

I checked that out and it looks like a good course, but HOLY COW, the price is insane!

$9.95 for the first course, then they send you another course every 30 days, at the low-low price of four payments of $64.95 per month. So, if you could be paying as much as $260 per month depending on how many course you accept in the mail.  

I know it has an opt-out, and you can tell them not to send it to you, but it's like those old Columbia Record Club deals, who ever thinks to tell them not to send it?

[Riley/MN]

Yeah, I got a copy from a friend....

[Detached]

Yeah, I got a copy from a friend....

LOL!

So, how does the course work? I just went to a differnet site and they sell it in 5 lesson sets for $22, so I can just go as far as I need to.

Does it seem to work? Are you retaining what you learn? Have you tried it with an Ojibwe/Chippewa?

[mario]

First, good on you for volunteering your time! I worked for and then did volunteer work for a NYS historic site for years and is was a great experience.

Though I am not a reenactor, I can see some 1813 period french farmer's clothing in my future, along with some basic French. Maybe even a fusil-de-chasse! They also said they need someone to demonstrate muzzleloaders and teach school kids how to drill. Sounds like fun.  

Clothing for that era is a bit out of my area of study, but the last FdC imported into MI would have been over 50 years previous. A late 18th century fowling piece or trade (NW) gun would be a much better choice.

So, the subject of this post is: Has anyone here, in their adult life, decided to learn another language, and if so, how did you approach it? Did you use a program? I have heard Rosetta Stone doesn't work as well as the $400 price tag would have you believe. Any experience? What about some of the online courses? I do not want to spend a ton and do not need to know how to read or write, at least off the bat. Basic stuff is fine:

English is actually my second language. Although I started speaking it by age 4...

Mario

[Detached]

Clothing for that era is a bit out of my area of study, but the last FdC imported into MI would have been over 50 years previous. A late 18th century fowling piece or trade (NW) gun would be a much better choice

As I said, I am not a reenactor. I want a Fusil, and so it shall be. I seriously doubt anyone would question the difference between it and a fowling piece. And I can argue the other way as well. Since my family can be traced back well into the early 1700's, the answer is simple. I can just say great grandpa brought it with him.

Funny, though. When we were discussing an ancestor in a different thread and what he may have fought with at the BONO, most people seemed to think he'd have a much older gun, made well before the date it was actually used. In this case, you believe an older gun is innapropriate?

 

"Bonjour So-and-so! Sorry to tell you, you ain't in New France. New France ceased to exist in 1763..."

Technically, that is true. But the French and French-Canadian people of the River Raisin, L'anse Creuse, and Grosse Pointe settled those areas because they had left Detroit in protest of the new rules the British promulgated after 1763, with regard to non-British fur traders. They were well not ready to accept the fact that the area had been turned over by their King to the British, who then lost it to the Americans, who then lost it back to the British after Hull surrendered Detroit. Most of the River Raisin habitants purchased their land directly from the Potawatomie or Ottawa and felt they had absolute rights. They were rather put out by the fact that they were being subjected to rules from anyone, let alone the Americans. While many stood loyal with America during Michigan's infancy, it was based more on the need for protection from the British and their Indian allies. Many did not stand with America and chose to stay loyal to the British. Most, if nothing else, decided their best bet would be to work with the side that seemed to be winning. These people were fiercly French above all else, continuing to use their native language and requiring interpreters in many cases even well into the early 1800's. The elderly of the group considered their homes to be in New France, not Michigan or America. To them, Detroit was still le détroit du Lac Érié.

[Riley/MN]

Does it seem to work? Are you retaining what you learn? Have you tried it with an Ojibwe/Chippewa?

My problem is not having anyone to speak with, I keep forgetting what I have learned.

[buffalo pony]

Listen as guy who's had to do this learn a second language today in order to speak to pretty gals here on vacation. Take my advice and dust off that old Library card. They have C/D'S that can teach you a lot while driving to and from and its 100% free.
Another great way to learn French in to enlist in the Legion Entrangere. You have to fly to France and sign a five year contract but they guaranty  to make you a fluent speaker and throw in a weight loss program for free whether you need it or not.

[snake eyes]

Another great way to learn French in to enlist in the Legion Entrangere. You have to fly to France and sign a five year contract but they guaranty  to make you a fluent speaker and throw in a weight loss program for free whether you need it or not.

BP,
     :rotf

snake-eyes  

[mario]

As I said, I am not a reenactor. I want a Fusil, and so it shall be. I seriously doubt anyone would question the difference between it and a fowling piece. And I can argue the other way as well. Since my family can be traced back well into the early 1700's, the answer is simple. I can just say great grandpa brought it with him.

I understand you are not a re-enactor. You will actually be more than that. You will be an educator. And as an educator, you have even more responsibility to the people that see/hear you that your information is correct.

Funny, though. When we were discussing an ancestor in a different thread and what he may have fought with at the BONO, most people seemed to think he'd have a much older gun, made well before the date it was actually used. In this case, you believe an older gun is innapropriate?

I'm saying that a gun that has to be AT LEAST 50 years old is inappropriate. In that thread, I don't believe anyone suggested a 50+ year old gun.

Technically, that is true. But the French and French-Canadian people of the River Raisin, L'anse Creuse, and Grosse Pointe settled those areas because they had left Detroit in protest of the new rules the British promulgated after 1763, with regard to non-British fur traders. They were well not ready to accept the fact that the area had been turned over by their King to the British, who then lost it to the Americans, who then lost it back to the British after Hull surrendered Detroit. Most of the River Raisin habitants purchased their land directly from the Potawatomie or Ottawa and felt they had absolute rights. They were rather put out by the fact that they were being subjected to rules from anyone, let alone the Americans. While many stood loyal with America during Michigan's infancy, it was based more on the need for protection from the British and their Indian allies. Many did not stand with America and chose to stay loyal to the British. Most, if nothing else, decided their best bet would be to work with the side that seemed to be winning. These people were fiercly French above all else, continuing to use their native language and requiring interpreters in many cases even well into the early 1800's. The elderly of the group considered their homes to be in New France, not Michigan or America. To them, Detroit was still le détroit du Lac Érié.

And if you explain that after your "I have made my home in New France" statement, that's one thing. But chances are, you won't.

Mario

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Listen as guy who's had to do this learn a second language today in order to speak to pretty gals here on vacation. Take my advice and dust off that old Library card. They have C/D'S that can teach you a lot while driving to and from and its 100% free.
Another great way to learn French in to enlist in the Legion Entrangere. You have to fly to France and sign a five year contract but they guaranty  to make you a fluent speaker and throw in a weight loss program for free whether you need it or not.

That right there is one dang fine post! The library is a great idea. Not so much on the Legion, even though the weight loss would be helpful.  

Mario, you're posts tend to revolve around your need to be right. All the time.

[Archer]

When one considers the number of existing French guns that were converted to percussion ignition, I would dare say many were in fact still in use well beyond 1813.  If one was used for an 1813 impression I would think that it should appear to be very well used indeed!  The fact that some of these guns were still in use in the 19th century says something of their quality, don't you think?

[mario]

Mario, you're posts tend to revolve around your need to be historically right. All the time.

Fixed that for you.

When one considers the number of existing French guns that were converted to percussion ignition, I would dare say many were in fact still in use well beyond 1813.  

How many do you think are out there? The number of French civilian/trade guns from the 18th century that are in existence today is miniscule. Heck, if you look at multiple books on the subject, most of them have the same guns pictured.




But apparently, the act of volunteering at a national historic site has little to do with history, so I will bid this thread adieu.  



Mario

[Detached]

Thanks for making my point.