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: frenchclassnyc.com
Instagram: @frenchclassnyc
Speaking Tongues Podcast:
Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod
Follow on X: @stpodcasthost
Like our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespod
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg
Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.