top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Is Auvergnat like Cornish?

After seven years living in the Auvergne I still have great difficulty in being understood in French by the locals.

After seven years living in the Auvergne I still have great difficulty in being understood in French by the local population.

Over the past 25 year we have toured most of France from Brittany to the south, with very few language problems.

Here my French friends say that they don't like the south because they do not understand what people are saying.

We rarely have the same problems, perhaps because living in England, which is much smaller, with multicultural and regional accents, one becomes used to following a different accents.

The French, however, do not meet different accents on a daily basis, so the ear is not tuned to something different.

My English-speaking French friends also find that they cannot cope with anything other than accurate English. Any trace of an accent and they are lost.

Perhaps if we stay here long enough we might be able to learn Auvergnat. At the moment it sounds a little like Yorkshire, mixed with Old English, with a hint of Cornish.

Anthony Richardson
Buxieres

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France