Because it could save someone’s life – maybe yours! With reference to Jill Penton-Browne’s article in your June/July Issue 127, I totally agree with her comments and would like to draw your readers’ attention to the far more serious implications of not speaking French.

Many of us move here during our middle to later years, more or less at the same time as possible health concerns; strokes, heart-attacks, etc. Whilst it is easy to register with an English-speaking GP, what happens if you are suddenly taken seriously ill outside surgery hours? Do you presume that all emergency services employees are bilingual? Would you be able to give clear instructions to your home, or scene of an accident? Could you describe symptoms over the telephone?

A friend of mine recently drank from a bottle of lemonade – or so she thought. In fact, it was from an identical bottle containing a foamy bleach-based cleaning product. She immediately rang the emergency poison number printed on the back of the offending bottle, and followed the instructions. The worst thing she could have done, in fact, was the obvious one (ie: to drink lots of water – as this was a foam it would have increased the damage). In fact she had to go immediately to buy and eat as much bread and as many cakes as possible in order to absorb the bleach. She felt pretty rough for the rest of the day of course, but it could have been much worse.

I have lived here with my family for 10 years and am still amazed and ashamed by the number of Brits who come here to live, presumably because they prefer France to the UK yet can’t/won’t learn the language. We would surely expect the French to learn English if they moved there? I do understand that it isn’t easy, but, as Jill says, “ Just get out there and talk!” Listen to the local TV and the French radio – the music might not be great but it’s amazing how many words you can pick up. Even if you try, you will get the help and respect of the local people, and if not, someone someday may suffer due to the words “Lost in Translation”. Think about it.

Cathy Corby. Roquefort-les-Pins