LifeInBitesAndBytes

My Journey in Learning French: From “Bonjour” to a Whole New World

French! The language of romance, croissants, and the beautifully chaotic streets of Paris. Like many, I fell in love with the idea of learning French after watching Emily in Paris TV series. The show is the perfect blend of drama and charm, offering just the escape I need to unwind from a long, hard day and let go of any stress.

So, here I am, embarking on a French adventure. A novice in every sense. A linguistic toddler armed with enthusiasm, desire, a Netflix-inspired dream, and drumroll, please, Duolingo. That is right, my trusty little green owl friend from the Duolingo app has become a companion in my mornings. Here is a peek into my journey so far, filled with beginner blunders, tiny triumphs, and the infectious excitement of learning something new.

If you have heard of the “21 days rule,” then you know that doing something continuously for 21 days makes something a daily habit and can turn even the most daunting tasks into second nature. And so, every morning, without fail, even on weekends, I am on Duolingo, improving those French basics. With Duolingo’s gamified approach, I get to kickstart my day with colorful streaks and playful reminders, and, let me tell you, it works! The lessons are quick but surprisingly effective, like bite-sized pieces of Paris waiting for me every morning.

By now, I barely need the reminder notification, because it is practically a reflex, open Duolingo, squeeze in a quick session, and start my day with a hint of amour. It is actually fun to see how it is transformed from a casual interest to something that feels as essential as brushing my teeth.

Of course, Duolingo can only prepare you so much before you inevitably make some rookie mistakes. My first attempts at pronouncing bonjour sounded closer to a sneeze than a greeting. French has this subtlety, that makes every word roll off the tongue effortlessly. Meanwhile, I felt like my tongue was staging a protest. But thanks to my daily Duolingo practice, these blunders have slowly turned into tiny victories.

Learning a new language is like learning to dance. First, you stumble, then you catch the rhythm, and eventually, you are gliding along. It might seem small, but it was a big win.

One of the best parts about French is its abundance of gorgeous words that sound like music to your ears. S’il vous plait (please), Papillon (butterfly), amour (love). Thanks to Duolingo’s bite-sized lessons, I have been collecting these words like little treasures. But then, of course, there are the verb conjugations, gendered nouns, and other quirks. Say the wrong article, and you might accidentally call the bread a person. Still, even the quirks add to the charm. Every time I remember a conjugation or a new gendered noun, I feel like I deserve a pat on the back.

Once I thought I had mastered a few phrases, grammar swooped in like an unscheduled pop quiz. In English, “I eat, you eat, we all eat” makes it easy. In French? Je mange, tu manges, nous mangeons, ils mangent, the list goes on. But my daily Duolingo routine keeps me on track, turning what felt like a maze into something I can now navigate.

If you are thinking about learning something new, let this be your sign to dive right in. Whether it is French or something else, forming a daily habit has been key. The small victories, from pronouncing “S’il vous plait” correctly to completing my Duolingo streak, remind me that learning is as much about the journey as the destination. And when I finally do get to Paris, I will be ready, not just to order coffee, but to experience a language that is slowly becoming a part of me. So here is to more bonjours, more “Oops, did I just say that?” moments, and eventually, a conversation that goes beyond ordering coffee.

À bientôt!