This envelope with a letter inside was found inside a large decaying bound edition of Shakespeare auf Deutsch in a junk shop in Bushwick that was only apparently open for a few months before disappearing. The letter, postmarked 15 March, 1939 - was sent to Paris by a Mr. Henri Wolf. The contents of the letter appear to be German shorthand. Included was small piece of what looks like code, there's nothing else on the back.The letter, envelope, postcard, etc in question are at this imgur album. Hivemind: What the hell is this?
posted by The Whelk on Mar 14, 2013 - 28 answers

I'm going to Paris in July and August this summer to take a language course at the Sorbonne. Yay! However, my original plan to stay at a friend's flat has fallen through, and I'm going to have to search for my own accommodation. I don't know where to start... and my French isn't great. Help! [more inside]
posted by pikeandshield on Mar 11, 2013 - 10 answers

I'm thinking of applying for a Fulbright - how well do I REALLY need to know the language? [more inside]
posted by lxs on Jul 19, 2012 - 9 answers

I'm trying to track down a French book, published recently, 2010 or 2011. It's either a conlang book or a book about an invented society. Possibly both. It is not a novel or a collection of stories but a description of the language/society. This is the author's first book. It was published by a respected publishing house and garnered positive notes in France.
posted by Kattullus on Sep 18, 2011 - 2 answers

I'm fairly fluent in French and would like fun ideas for keeping up with the language. [more inside]
posted by lirael2008 on Aug 6, 2011 - 22 answers

I want to travel to Europe (France, Germany, Austria, and maybe Poland) this fall. I have never left the United States. I have absolutely no idea how to plan this. Many details inside. [more inside]
posted by Hey Dean Yeager! on Jul 28, 2011 - 28 answers

I'm studying abroad in France this fall. I want to learn the language. How do I prepare so that I can make the very best of it? [more inside]
posted by superiorchicken on Jun 30, 2010 - 16 answers

What applications/software for your mobile device did you find useful/essential for travelling? [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on Mar 31, 2009 - 2 answers

Need recommendations for a quality French-English electronic dictionary. [more inside]
posted by Solon and Thanks on Nov 9, 2008 - 10 answers

How does a 40ish year old male with enough money find his way around Europe without foreign language skills? Is it possible to hire guides to travel with, or at least to show them around on a city-by-city basis for this sort of thing? I'm thinking specifically France, Spain, Italy. Willing to use University students or some other creative possibility. [more inside]
posted by vizsla on Aug 5, 2008 - 18 answers

My wife and I want to spend about 6 months in France learning French intensively. Where should we go to study? [more inside]
posted by rongorongo on May 24, 2007 - 4 answers

Recommend to me a history of the languages of France. [more inside]
posted by mds35 on Jan 8, 2007 - 5 answers

I'll be going to France in a little under 2 months, to stay 2 weeks with a family that doesn't speak much English at all, in a relatively small town that doesn't speak much English at all. I'm decently proficient, but not confident, and definitely lacking in the listening/speaking end. I have, however, 9 days coming up where I will have more than enough free time. I won't have an internet connection, but I'll have a laptop I can put stuff on. What is the best use of the next 2 months in terms of preparing for functioning well on the trip? [more inside]
posted by devilsbrigade on Jun 4, 2006 - 10 answers

I have been unable to locate a source for French-labeled faucet handles - ones labeled "chaud" and "froid" instead of "hot and "cold". My wife has plans to redecorate one of our bathrooms with a Parisian theme, and this little detail eludes us. More below. [more inside]
posted by sixdifferentways on Aug 28, 2004 - 11 answers