Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A quick Jack story

So, Elise was asking Jack at lunch what subjects he has after lunch. Le mathematique et l'anglais, he said. Math and English.

That reminded us of one of our favorite Jack stories which I had been meaning to write about. A few weeks ago,  Jack was telling us about an English lesson, and he mentioned that the teacher always asks him to repeat a word after she says a word, and the class says a word. "Say it like Jack says it," she tells the class.

The only problem is this. In the midst of telling this story, he was giving us a few examples -- "classroom", "brother", or "friend" -- and as he did, he spoke with a CRAZY accent that was part-pirate and part-Scottish Highlander, full of rolled r's and lots of music. "Is that how you say the words to the class?" we asked him, horrified. He nodded immediately, and then when he saw our faces, said "Oh, no, of course not."

What to believe? I do *not* want to ask the teacher about it. But if, in 15 or 20 years, you encounter a young person from Burgundy who speaks English like a pirate, we will all know who to blame.

8 comments:

Beth said...

Haha! Sounds like we both have boys that like to be pirates at times! Mine, I guess, are running around the neighborhood ambushing passing drivers. :-)

Elizabeth LaBan said...

That is hysterical! It made me laugh out loud. I think about you guys so much!! I love reading this blog.

GĂ©raldine said...

TeRRRRRRific !!! .. may be Jack heard some French old maen speaking and thought that it certainly was much more easy for us to say thing that way !
Grrrrrreat !

Anonymous said...

LOL!! thanks for the laugh :)

48-96 blog said...

Aye,me parrot concurs Pirate Jack. French pirate might be a tough t' speak me hearty. Fun be havin' ya an da lassies.

Uncle Steve

Unknown said...

Go Jack!

Unknown said...

Go Jack!!

Lisa K. said...

Dear Uncle Steven,

I see where your nephew may have inherited his amazing ability with Pirate-Scottish (a peculiar language, one must admit). So does that mean we can also blame you if a whole generation of French children from this region have, um, problems with their accents? :)

Thanks to everyone for all the great comments!

Lisa