I came to a stop on Linden Circle. I was about to go on when I noticed the sign and sighed. I had to make the call.
“Hi Mr. Driscoll. You know that it is public property and changes need to go through the proper channels… “
“Oui.”
“When can you put the real one back? I don’t want to fill out an official report.”
“Quatre heures et demie.”
“Make it so.”
“Oui, Officer Perkins.”
I hung up and stared at the French teacher’s latest bit of what the town called “vandalism” and he called “study aides.”
“Arrêt.”
I laughed.
***
word count = 100
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo by @ Dale Rogerson. If you want to join or see other stories, go to the inlinkz linkup.
Trent's World (the Blog) 
Excellent, Trent! AH and to one of Thunder’s pics. Perfect!
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Dale often provides pictures, which is great :) Thanks!
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LMAO.
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I’ve know foreign language teachers that just might do this ;)
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A teacher and a police officer with senses of humor are good things. So much could be furthered if it were the status quo. Good one, Trent.
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I don’t think there are any towns like Mayberry or officers like Andy, but I think in some small towns where everyone knows everyone else it might be possible to find a pair like this… Of course, reading the news these days, I’m not as sure. Thanks.
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You’re welcome, Trent. If police know and like you, your world is golden. If they don’t…
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… you might end up like Jayland Walker (to finish your sentence).
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Great story – here in Wales all our signs are in Welsh and English :)
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Somebody else mentioned signs in Scotland having Gaelic and English. I guess it really let’s people know they aren’t in England any more… Thanks.
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yes and the Welsh always appears first :)
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This was all caused by that damn tower of Babel (so they say). Good grief. Nice twist, Trent.
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Those darned Babylonians and their sky-high ziggurats really did a job on us. but then, the world would be boring if we all spoke the same language… Thanks.
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That’s one way to work around it!
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French teachers around here can be devious in their methods, though perhaps not this devious ;)
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It would appear! ;-)
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A very creative way of learning. Wonder if its still used today?
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I have heard that if you label items in the language you want to learn, it makes it easier to think in it. Usually you will leave the public property alone, but…
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Dear Trent,
Now that’s creative practical teaching. ;)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is a very practical way of teaching, and even those who didn’t want to -will- learn ;)
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Yes. if you want them to learn the language ask why. In Scotland we now have all our railway stations with their name translated into Gaelic. Also on Police cars, ambulances and all public documents. Approximately 1% of the population speak or understand the language!
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But is heritage… Let’s people know you are Scottish, not English. I guess I’ll see for myself in a few weeks.
I’m in the US, but live a three hour drive from where French is the native language (maybe 5 hour drive to visit Dale, so a lot of people around me want to know French, and French is actually used on many state of new Hampshire signs. Just not the stop signs, unless Mr. Driscoll is up to his tricks again.
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C’est quelque chose que mon professseur de francais ferait. (Can’t figure out how to insert the cedilla on this laptop)
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There are keyboard shortcuts to do special characters, but I usually just google the word, copy and paste…
Well, I had instructors that would have us make personal signs and labels for things, but usually not change for the entire town ;)
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Sadly, creativity is often avoided by those who live a more pedestrian life, without much of a sense of humor.
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I think I agree, though in this case it can be argued that it is teaching kids to break the law… At least Officer Perkins has a bit of a sense of humor and isn’t changing “Arrêt” to “Arrest” ;) (I wanted that pun in there but ran otu of words).
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A creative teaching technique
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Very creative. I have heard that labeling things in the language you are trying to learn can help, but going around town and changing all of the road signs is a level beyond…
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