R-ing and Ř-ing in public
Channel: Czech for Gary
Date: 2019-12-14

Love it or hate it, but what if you tried it?

Dear Students, have you ever felt awkward when you were about to speak in a foreign language you were just learning in front of other people? Or at least uneasy when these strange sounds (r or ř among others) should have been released from your lips, yet for some unknown reason couldn’t? Pronunciation exercises feel quite natural in the shower or in front of our microphone, when no one is listening. But in front of others, the practice of our freshly acquired skills in a new language might appear off-putting. 

To put your mind at ease, I was curious to see what would happen if I emitted some high pitched rrrrrrrrs and řřřřřřřs on the Bir-Hakeim bridge, known as the Bride-Groom bridge (check out why on https://twitter.com/Czech4Gary ) with the Eiffel Tower as a background. These sounds are so alien to the native French speakers that I expected to be silenced by some offended “promeneurs”. The fact that nearly no one cared is an excellent reason for you to relax, to feel confident and to PRACTICE Czech whenever you get the chance. 

I wish to all of you a beautiful Advent and lots of happy feelings!

Music: Parisian Funk by DivKid
#Czech