Je ne parle pas français. That's how you say I don't speak French in English. Just about two years ago, I found myself in Paris, speaking almost no French. I had read a book and listened to some DVDs before I went, but even after a few months of practice, my mastery of the French language was pretty much pathetic. Then, on the very first morning of my trip, I woke up and walked into a nearby boulangerie (a French or French-style bakery) for my breakfast and morning coffee. I did my best at Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais? They didn't speak a bit of English, or perhaps they were enjoying my struggle. Either way, when my breakfast depended on my mastery of French, I was more motivated to struggle through Je voudrais un pain au chocolat (translation: I would like one of those delicious chocolate bread things) than I had ever been. I was quickly...





















































