Post 217: Language Barrier made me feel invisible in France

Post 217: Language Barrier made me feel invisible in France

The students described vividly their struggles with the language, how the 
inability to speak French made their stay in France difficult and how their inabil- 
ity to “read” the social context added to the stress of being misunderstood. One 
student said, “I feel kind of stupid.” Others talked about feeling alone and iso- 
lated because no one seemed to want to interact with them. As Kristjansdottir 
describes it, “Due to the language barrier, their embodied relation to the world 
became problematic. Their self-esteem dropped and they became very self- 
conscious about themselves. Their whole bodies were entrenched in this effort 
of trying [to communicate] in French. For the students, it was a laborious and 
involved process that was connected to all aspects of themselves, being, human 
sensibilities, and human existence.” (Nakayama, 334)

In America, I am used to talking constantly. I have no problem speaking English or interacting with other Americans in English. When I go to the theatre to watch a comedy, I have no trouble understanding the jokes or the humor. 

But when I was in France, especially in the beginning, my French fluency was not that good. I had trouble expressing the simplest requests. I found I had to think to talk and this made me feel very uncomfortable. Instead of being verbose like I am normally in America, I found myself hesitant to open my mouth. I think I learned to listen more because of the language barrier. Despite my Asian face, most French people were able to tell I was American due to my behavior, facial expressions and my clothes.

It wasn't until my 6th month in France that I began to adjust living there and began being able to understand what everybody was saying to me. I also became more comfortable speaking with other French students as my French got better.

I started hanging out more with French students rather than American students, and once I did, I learned so much more about French culture, French food and French values. 

When I came back to the States, I had more empathy for my Chinese relatives who came to this country and have difficulty speaking English. I no longer held the opinion that just because you can't speak clear English, you are not intelligent. I respected my parents and my relatives more for having the courage to come to the US to learn a language and learn a totally new culture.

My study abroad program in France changed me in so many ways. I became more cognizant of how other countries see the US.  I developed more empathy for foreign students and my relatives. I stopped thinking that the world revolves around America.