> Basic French I can do, and I've learnt enough to be able to fix problems with the mouse (Souris), keyboard (Clavier) and the printers (Imprimante). But anything beyond saying, "OK, it's good now" meant I was stuffed.

The French use the word "Clavier" to refer to a computer keyboard, too? That seems odd; the word has too many musical connotations for me to be able to wrap my head around its being used for typing purposes. :-}

> I always hated French at school because it was very difficult for me. I seem to have no aptitude for language at all, so I have enormous respect for those who have learnt a second language. Especially if that second language is English.

I had a heck of a time with French, myself, and I've always done very well with languages. Latin, Spanish, Italian and German all came very easily for me, but French (and Russian, as well) did not. This strikes me as being odd, too, since French has so much in common with Latin, Spanish, and Italian.

I think part of it has to do with the pronunciations of words. Speaking French words always triggers a bit of a gag reflex, for my part. I guess it's the emphasis on the back of the throat that does it.

The one thing I do like about French is that it's the only language in which you'll find words ending in "ieaux" and have all five letters silent. ;-}

> Bea" Le PC, ce n'est marche pas, tres merde."sty

Dar "Non, aucun maudire en français" ien