Pardon?

[nathan detroit]

Here's a thread that may prove to be controversial (at least I hope so!)

As one of my other threads shows, I am looking to organise a trip for a group of young people to perform songs at DLP. When speaking to a CM the other day, he said that they suggested that all performances of this type should be done in English as the majority of guests spoke that language.

This begs the question - then why isn't the whole of Disneyland Paris in English?

I appreciate that the place in France and provision should be made to the host country but all Disney movies and cartoons were originally in English.

Personally I don't mind the multi-lingual aspect of DLP although I will admit that I would prefer it to be exclusively in English. I am after all a typical Englishman!

English tends to be abundant in DLP shows but I would really prefer to have at least some of the Fantasyland dark rides in English as well as all of Phantom Manor. What do you all think?

[pussnboots]

Hmmm. If I were to be completely honest, which I rarely am, I would have to say I'd prefer it if everything was in English, or at least if it came first everywhere (particularly in the ride dialog of PM and POTC). I just feel English is more authentic to Disney and I dislike translations and any kind of dubbing, whether from or into English.

Having said that, there is a silver lining. First of all, I find the French language beautiful and have attempted to master it since I was about 12 (I think I'm quite good at it, although France disagrees, haha). Second of all, if we broaden this issue to a European scale, some wonderful things have come out of this. You see, where DL and the MK have blatantly dumbed down and anglicized their every continental influence ("Village Haus", "Mrs Potts' Cupboard", "Shoppe" this and "Faire" that), DLP has kept their integrity by using the authentic languages -- or at least languages that were close enough. "La Bottega di Geppetto", "De la Terre a la Lune", "Auberge de Cendrillon" and "Pizzeria Bella Notte" all match the settings of the films and books that inspired them. In Adventureland, the majority of French names are in the African parts -- where French is obviously prevalent. And Frontierland and Main Street, the true American fortresses, are almost exclusively English.

Isn't that wonderful?

Lastly, it has to be said that we are obviously speaking hypothetically, as actually demanding that ED switch entirely to English would be neo-imperialistic at the very least.

[soundtracker]

Interesting that both of you express a preference for an all-English resort, yet nobody seems to have voted for it yet. Personally, (and I'm speaking as a languages graduate here), I love the multi-lingual aspect of the resort. It's what sets it apart from its US counterparts, and working with people from all over the world was one of the highlights of my time there.

And as Puss points out, the differences in language actually add to the authenticity of each land and attraction. (Although I would dearly love to have Vincent Price back at Phantom Manor.) And incidentally, if the Pirates of the Carribean are going to speak one language in particular, shouldn't it be Spanish? Or Dutch?

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by soundtracker

Interesting that both of you express a preference for an all-English resort, yet nobody seems to have voted for it yet. Personally, (and I'm speaking as a languages graduate here), I love the multi-lingual aspect of the resort. It's what sets it apart from its US counterparts, and working with people from all over the world was one of the highlights of my time there.

And as Puss points out, the differences in language actually add to the authenticity of each land and attraction. (Although I would dearly love to have Vincent Price back at Phantom Manor.) And incidentally, if the Pirates of the Carribean are going to speak one language in particular, shouldn't it be Spanish? Or Dutch?

Yes, of course you're right. And Snow White's Scary Adventures should be German, the English parts of Fantasyland a Chaucer style English and the Aladdin section of Adventureland probably warrants some Persian. But it's a step in the right direction.

I think though that there is a difference between language where understanding is essential to the experience, such as ride dialog, and language that really only serves as graphic eye candy, such as (non-utilitarian) signs and posters. The latter should probably be as authentic as possible; ride dialog should be English and French. But preferably a little more English than French.

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by soundtracker

Interesting that both of you express a preference for an all-English resort, yet nobody seems to have voted for it yet.

Well, I'm trying not to come across as a total douche, haha.

[StrongStyle]

While I don't know if it should be said that the entire park should be in English, I think it's very important that the CMs (especially those who are very client facing) all have a good enough grasp of English to be able to help English speaking visitors who can't conjour up more French other than "Une Hamburger et Frites". I would suggest they all have a level of English at or above Brian from Big Brother.

[nathan detroit]

I have to say that I have not yet voted in my own poll because I don't really know how I feel about this issue.

I love how things like Lilo and Stitch's Catch a Wave can be all in English and I also like the multi-lingual aspects of the two 'giques although NDJnr could not get his head around how Mickey spoke French and Donald spoke English! I think he would have understood the concept of them both speaking French but them speaking to each other in different languages was too much for him. However, with the exception of Mickey and the Under the Sea sequence, the whole of Animagique is in English - something I do like. And it is interesting to hear a familiar song like Under the Sea, sung in a different language.

I agree with the names of the places sounding nicer and more authentic but where the French language dominance really jars for me is in Fantasyland more than anywhere. Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Snow White suffer from all-French soundtracks and although the visuals speak for themselves, I think the odd English phrase would have been nice (even if it was nothing more than a nod to the original). It can be argued that kids will understand the story regardless of language but then why have talking in it at all in that case?

If a survey were carried out on the percentages of languages within signage and soundtracks within DLP, I suspect that English would probably come out on top but I do sometimes feel that with Disney being originally English-speaking, I would prefer an all English park. Then again, if I want that I can go to DL or WDW....

[nathan detroit]

Originally Posted by StrongStyle

While I don't know if it should be said that the entire park should be in English, I think it's very important that the CMs (especially those who are very client facing) all have a good enough grasp of English to be able to help English speaking visitors who can't conjour up more French other than "Une Hamburger et Frites".

Even that phrase is more than I attempt when at DLP! It's all English from me I'm afraid. I have a smattering of French but am far from confident enough to try it out on the locals (a bad experience in the city of Paris made me this way!)

On my trip a few weeks ago, I only encountered one CM with a poor grip of English (a waiter at The Lucky Nugget), the rest I was impressed to see were all pretty fluent.

[Scorchio]

Definately multi-lingual. Despite the fact I'm english, I think more of DLP should be in French.

1. It's in France. It's respectful to use French in DLP. Yet, they should also cater for other languages, i.e. bilingual CM's, so that others can understand what's going on.
2. I don't honestly care what language a ride/show is in. What Disney normally does is make rides for which the scenery and atmosphere tells you what's going on.
3. French language makes the PM ghost host sound so very creepy!

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by nathan detroit

Even that phrase is more than I attempt when at DLP! It's all English from me I'm afraid. I have a smattering of French but am far from confident enough to try it out on the locals (a bad experience in the city of Paris made me this way!)

On my trip a few weeks ago, I only encountered one CM with a poor grip of English (a waiter at The Lucky Nugget), the rest I was impressed to see were all pretty fluent.

You should try it some time! I once asked for gift wrapping in a shop, and the guy was clueless, and not looking particularly happy. So I asked him in French, and then he asked me to teach him the English phrase. Most people in France are obviously not anti-English, they would just like it if you'd put a little effort into it as well (and who could blame them). And I'm not just talking about shouting English words at them! Haha.

And you shouldn't let one bad experience discourage you. After all, there are rude people everywhere. In Europe. Just kidding.

[CaptainTeach]

I like the French influences. I say keep them.

[fizzog]

I think the multi-lingual aspect of DLRP lends it a unique and special charm not present at any other Disney resort, seriously. Definitely Cinemagique handles Franglish the best, but not once on my trip did I encounter any problems with language at all. I think it's fine how it is! (as long as the ride has 'Pinnochio' in the title who cares right?)

[nathan detroit]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

And I'm not just talking about shouting English words at them! Haha.

That's the secret of my grasp of foreign languages! SHOUT!

Also add the word 'le' to every thing in French (as in 'Could you pass me le salt please?') and 'io' to the end of every thing in Spanish (as 'Could yo-io pass-io el salt-io?'). I also remember Mel Brooks saying how easy it was to speak Swedish - simply speak the second half of each word as if you have just remembered something really important!

I apologise for any racist under (or over) tones that this post may seem to have. Its all meant in good spirits and with the greatest of respect.

[Olivier]

I voted for multi-lingual.
English and french should be the 2 major langages at DLRP, probably with a little more english. Every CM should speak both languages fluently.

However, I think that when you are abroad it is important to make an effort to learn at least 1-2 words in the language of the country you're visiting.
Would it kill you to say at least bonjour when you enter a store or restaurant ?
I was in Portugal last year (didn't speak a single portuguese word...), but I learned a few words before the journey like hello, thank you, good bye, please... It really helped.
Well, just a matter of courtesy to me...

[StrongStyle]

Just out of interest. Pretty much everyone has said that it should be multi-lingual many stating that it's only right because it's in France and the language is part of .

The only reason smoking is allowed to be so rampant in the park is again because it's in France where smokers are the majority, do we respect aspect of them too or should smoking be banned? personally I'd love for DLP to take the same route as the USA parks and start wiping smoking out.