Merde! Get out of my sight! (Photo AP/Jim Cole)
The linguistic deficiencies of a French president:
Nicolas Sarkozy, rarely shy in front of cameras, found enough was enough Sunday when chased down by two news photographers while boating in his bathing suit on his American holiday.
Sarkozy angrily confronted two photographers and even jumped aboard their boat when they snapped pictures of him and his family. He shouted at them in French and even grabbed one of the cameras, until he calmed down, and asked that no pictures be taken.
Unfortunately, the president’s tirade was entirely lost on the photographers, neither of whom could understand a word he was saying.
It wasn’t the only embarrassing moment. Earlier that day, Sarkozy gave a press conference, in which he answered all English questions in French. The only words everybody could understand were “My English is so bad.”
How about getting the English for Dummies CD-ROM, Sarko?
what a stupid comment ! would you expect GWB to answer questions in French ? even if he could, he wouldn’t ! remember when Kerry was advised to pretend he could not speak French ? so who’s dummy now ?
Alain: you’re wrong. English is the Esperanto of the 21st century. High-level politicians who meet in e.g. Euro and G8 meetings communicate in English. Good for GWB and Gordon Brown, and acceptable for leaders of most western nations. If Sarko doesn’t improve his English he will have great difficulty working with the rest of the world.
Romke, high level diplomacy has been conducted for centuries thru interpreters and it worked. A fluent but non-native English speaker will always be at a disadvantage vs a native speaker. Maybe that’s the hidden purpose….