As time flies...

Hi! I’ve been to my internship quite a few times now and each time, I feel more and more like I’m part of a small Anglophone community… here are the news!

Cultures: Anglophone versus Francophone

The Atwater Library traces its origins back to 1828: it was the first mechanics’ institute in Montreal. Its founders were English-Canadians with Scottish roots. As I walked across the library, I didn’t see any cultural objects but I saw several portraits of those founders as well as one of the presidents of the organization.

In a library, music is prohibited! Instead, I asked Aude what is her favorite music and she confessed that she doesn’t really like commercial music. She prefers oldies and alternative rock so she often turns on the radio and puts 97.7 or 99.9. The French-speaking mostly listen to 96.9 because it plays very Quebecer-like songs.

She also revealed her preference for romance novels: she enjoys everything, from suspense to science fiction as long as there is a love story between the characters.

I think the well-known topic of St. Jean-Baptiste versus Canada Day won’t surprise anyone. As we know, Canada Day is obviously more important for English-speakers than for French-speakers and vice versa. In contrast, Aude doesn’t celebrate either of them. As for Thanksgiving, I believe it is mostly an English tradition: Zeela, another librarian, told me her English-speaking parents, who are from Ontario, celebrate it every year.

Expressions and idioms

I’ve overheard various expressions during my internship. Here are a few examples: “Just my luck!” is something people say when something bad happens to them. Another one is “Keep me on the loop”: put in other words, it’s “Keep me informed.”

I’ve done a lot of writing during my internship, mostly copying codes and names. I haven’t read a lot, ironically. I did though get a chance to use one of the idioms I wanted to use eventually: we were chatting with my host and I told her, “This winter, I will be ready to tie the knot!”

Rewards and challenges

If I think of it, the most challenging part of my internship was the aspect of total immersion. It was something new, something I have never experienced before. I must say, it was the most rewarding part as well!

In conclusion, throughout all my internship I’ve had the chance to learn new ways to interact more freely and I’ve improved my accent. Sometimes, I’m even able to think in English, like I’ve always wanted to!

Total immersion!

Here is the summary of what I've experienced so far...

Linguistic interference… because it happens!

When learning a second, third or fourth language, one can get a little mixed up!

Here’s what happens to me every now and then: because of the languages I use throughout the day (and sometimes I use the four of them!) I can get confused and let the patterns of the other languages, such as the word order, affect my English.

There’s also the accent problem. I often say English word with either French or Spanish accent. For instance, when I leave messages to people whose books are overdue, I say, “… or return them at your earliest convenience.” The word convenience is always giving me a lot of trouble! I believe I pronounce it conviniance but I cannot seem to say it correctly. Nevertheless, I am convinced that I will achieve my goal of pronouncing properly because I have the opportunity to practice it a lot in my internship.

The immersion experience

It is easier to acquire the language in an immersion situation because you simply have no choice. Hearing people around you speaking a language encourages you to do the best you can to be on the same level. It’s even better than in a classroom because you won’t be helped by anyone: you’re on your own.

I actively used the techniques I chose and the ones that showed the best results are the repeating technique, the low-inhibition technique as well as the practicing technique. Because my inhibition is low, I am not shy to repeat what people say around me and this gives me a chance to practice. It is all related, in my opinion.

It is the first time I work in an all-English environment and it’s one big challenge. To be productive and to work well in a language that isn’t your first or your second language, this is the real challenge.

New words, new expressions!

I also got the opportunity to learn words that were unknown for me. For example the word E book, that means livre numérique, was new for me. Here is an expression that pleased very much: “A village of 200 souls” I can see myself using it to tell bedtime stories to my children…

To conclude, I can sincerely say that this experience enriches day by day my English vocabulary and my love for books!

It's all about politeness!

As the Wednesdays go by, my English gets richer…

Interesting interactions

Even though the library is a quiet environment, one can still hear many things: employees chatting on the phone with members, volunteers talking to each other, etc. I heard many interesting things while I was busy looking which books were late. For example, I overheard a volunteer lady speaking to Aude, mentioning a “gentleman” to whom she spoke earlier. The sentence “I beg your pardon” is very commonly used among English-speakers. Every now and then, people I barely know call me “my dear”. In this English-speaking “community”, everyone is so courteous, so affable! I believe those interactions will help me to adapt myself to English-speakers, as they can guide me as in how to connect with them better.

The Anglophone culture

The huge difference between an Anglophone and a francophone environment is definitely this familiarity peculiar to the second one. In both, people greet each other by their first name but the politeness of the Anglophones is very noticeable. People interact with each other in a very cautious way: it shows that it is important not to sound rude.

To show politeness, English-speakers put all their efforts into interaction. The other day, Aude greeted a new member in a very well-mannered and attentive way. She said, “Welcome to our library, thank you for joining us!”

The dress code seems to be very “library-like”, very proper: no crazy, colorful outfits as I’ve already seen at another library (a French one). What left me wondering is that I haven’t seen anyone take a break: they must love their job…

Some new words!

I’ve been offered coffee from the “coffee pot”, said with a delightful British accent! It is the name British people give to our regular coffee machine. I have also been called an “old hand” by a lovely lady called Denise, a volunteer at the library. It is an expression that refers to someone who has given long service in something (she was referring to the long time I have living in Canada). These new expressions will most certainly serve me in the future to enrich my vocabulary and to chat with English-speakers around the world.

To conclude this update about my English-learning journey, I must say: I’ve already rented four DVDs!

 

 

The first day

Yesterday was the first time I came to work at the Atwater library: here's my perceptions of my first day of internship.

My first impressions

My first day spent at the library was very pleasant: the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. I suppose the fact that it's a small place has to do with it. Everyone knows each other and they seem to be close. Aude showed me around and she also explained the library’s classification system. Then, she showed me how to use Mandarin, the system they use to see whose books are past the due date, etc. She made me feel comfortable and gave me useful answers.

Linguistic observations

The people who work at the Atwater library speak only in English. I was there for three whole hours and not once did I hear someone interacting in French. In the whole library, there is only one shelf reserved for French books. I'm totally immersed in an English-speaking environment and I don't feel out of place!

Cultural observations

Curiously, I didn't feel that the English-speaking people who work at the Atwater library were less "warm" than the French speakers. In fact, Aude is a very friendly person and so is Kelly, a volunteer who works at the reception. Nevertheless, I did observe that the older ladies who work as volunteers were less likely to show enthusiasm or to be demonstrative with someone they just met.

Newly learned words

I learned a few technical words that I have never heard of before. When Aude said, "Then you check the dewey…" I stopped her and asked what it meant. She explained that it's a term referring to the Dewey Decimal Classification system, a proprietary library classification system named after its inventor's last name. Then she mentioned something very similar: the term "cutter", which comes from the Cutter Expansive Classification system which is a library classification system devised by Charles Ammi Cutter.

I also learned that the word "paperback" refers to a type of book characterized by a thick paper instead of a hardcover. I am looking forward to learn more new or difficult words in the next weeks so I can enlarge my vocabulary.

Here is a fun way to conclude my post: I received a free membership card!  See you in two weeks!