This episode was originally published as Episode 39 on January 11, 2021.
In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we're having a conversation about Martiniquais Creole and French with our guest Mickael, founder of French Class NYC. Mickael shares his insights on the Creole spoken in Martinique and the French spoken in France, discussing the cultural and linguistic nuances that define these languages.
In this episode, we discuss:
🇲🇶 Mickael's bilingual upbringing, with Creole as his mother tongue and French as the official language, and how this shaped his cultural identity.
🇲🇶 The perception versus reality of people of color in France, highlighting the diversity and expression of Black voices in French culture.
🇲🇶 The representation of French Caribbean culture in Paris and the similarities and differences between French Creole and French in the diaspora.
🇲🇶 Mickael's advice for learning authentic French and exploring regions in France beyond Paris.
🇲🇶 The challenges of maintaining a cultural identity within the context of a dominant French culture that often overlooks the contributions of its minority communities.
🇲🇶 The intimate and personal nature of Creole as a language, often used within families and close-knit communities.
Mickael also shares his journey in founding French Class NYC, his experiences teaching French in New York, and how he incorporates diverse voices and literature into his curriculum. He offers a glimpse into the vibrant cultural exchanges happening in his classes and the importance of informal French in connecting with native speakers.
To Connect with Mickael:
Website:Â frenchclassnyc.com
Instagram:Â @frenchclassnyc
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