How Serena Williams Learned French

[@storylearning]

Check out how John Cena learned Chinese 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/goXHh4WQprRrf6ssi=IkmRld7vpRaokoF0

[@tibbytx1]

I'm sure you meant this as a compliment, but your statement, "How did a girl from Compton, California?" As opposed to where? Beverly Hills?

[@marjorjorietillman856]

Who speaks French better, Serena or Novak?

[@bohemienneprincesse8665]

​@@tibbytx1 Olly probably agrees that a child from either space has the talent. His point was a bit different. Look at why it is more surprising that a child from Compton than Beverly Hills is inspired to learn French. Talent does indeed emerge from everywhere, but access to resources - Exposure - is critical. More likely, a child from Beverly Hills will travel to a French-speaking country, have a nanny whose first language is French, or attend a French-American school. In Compton, the same opportunities are less common, making it more unique for a child to be inspired to learn French. The key difference is not talent, but access.

[@bohemienneprincesse8665]

​@@marjorjorietillman856 Novak speaks 10 languages-French, English, German, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, and Japanese. Yes, if this was a language competition, he would likely win. Still, Serena's ability to speak 5 languages-English, German, French, Italian, and Mandarin-is equally impressive.

[@sparkle3000]

I don't know why everyone's so surprised. When you want to learn different languages you find different friends. Kobe spoke fluent Italian. Learning different languages is fun.

[@davidphinn9646]

Kobe knew how to chirp Luka Dončić in Slovenian😂, may he RIP

[@mystoneshavenomossgill6402]

@@davidphinn9646 Kpbe lived in Italy before coming back to the US. However he learned fresh so could trash talk Tony Parker.

[@rosevillewoman2055]

I do admire that Richard Williams and Serena’s mom, Oracene, insisted that their daughters have a good education and keep out of trouble.

[@nsevv]

Yup, the amazing thing is that she stayed away from storylearning methods due to the exorbitant price.

[@demetriussherman476]

Serena and Venus Williams speak five languages, including English, German, French, Italian, and Mandarin

[@barbaraminor9138]

I love that she is teaching her children French.

[@Tehui1974]

To reach an elite level in a sport you have to be driven, goal orientated and motivated. Based on these qualities and traits, I can see how Serena Williams managed to succeed in learning French to a conversational level.

[@jessicaflemister4825]

This was so interesting and inspiring ! Definitely had no clue she could speak French! As an African American currently at A2 level French this just inspired me so much!!! Merci beaucoup !!!

[@ertfgghhhh]

Great!! Are you using a textbook?

[@nsevv]

yup learn from serena and stay away from storylearning method.

[@NorthernMike-1]

I can state from my own experience that the old saying is very true. “To master a second language, the best instructor is a lover. The second best is watching TV”. I had both and would like to speak a bit better, but I get compliments all the time!

[@ShaniOnSinai]

I love the French language. I am Puerto Rican creole and it makes my heart happy to hear this language. So many people aren’t aware that the French had a big immigration to our island, but I am and I embrace the language and the culture. I love to hear her speak French guao!

[@8track829]

This really was news to me, massive respect to Serena. What an amazing persevering and winning mentally she has!

[@thequeenmidas]

I love this❤ I've seen her speaking in French on her IG posts. Interesting story: some 15 years ago, I was working at a multinational firm and I took French classes so I could communicate with Francophone colleagues and for my future travels. I'm South African and fell in love with the language after visiting Mauritius. During final oral exams, I came 2nd only to an amazing Lusophone classmate from Angola. While moving on to level 2 classes, I found out I was pregnant and I couldn't make the class schedule anymore. Now my daughter is also studying French at school and getting straight As. She must have learned in my belly😂

[@lekis5975]

@thequeenmidas well done you. Your daughter definitely must have heard it in your belly, hence why it's important to expose your child to all the good things including classical music. My mother obtained her French diploma when I was 11, she'd play the aural (cassettes) in the house, so I developed an interest in French, 3 years later, I went on to take it as an option in High school (it's my 4th language). 3 years later, I made friends with some South African friends, and began to learn IsiXhosa and IsiZulu. So now (many years), I dabble in both languages, as well as IsiNdebele and SiSwati. I'm also trying to pick up Sesotho and SeTswana.

[@thequeenmidas]

@@lekis5975 Wow, that's amazing! Yes, South Africa is quite multilingual, so we are accustomed to speaking many languages. And still have my French cassettes. LOL

[@lekis5975]

@@thequeenmidas Indeed, Africans used to speak each other languages, and also the BaNtu languages are very similar, so once you pick up one, you have an inbuilt vocabulary, making it easy to learn another. I will concede, French is a beautiful language, but my focus is in learning and mastering as many African languages as I can.

[@alphonsinedjama9238]

😂😂, ça fait rire

[@JJ-qd9yl]

@@alphonsinedjama9238 are you djiboutian? my surname is jama as well

[@LlyleHunter]

She’s also an accredited interior designer with her own interior design firm. She does very high end work and I believe that she has earned an ASID license.

[@jciv256]

That’s Venus.

[@pizzeo]

I've been to Serena's house. She's definitely NOT an interior designer lol. That's her sister Venus.

[@wadeyyy]

@@pizzeo Venus did do the interior design of Serena’s house though

[@SHaqq-wv9hn]

​@@pizzeoPeople just never seem to want to miss a chance to cut on Serena 🙄😑😑😑 I haven't been to Serena's house, but I've seen a recent video "walk-through" of her home>>>VERY NICE! *I've also seen Venus' interior design work---EXCELLENT.

[@francoiscarrier8745]

It is all about this desire to communicate! Kudos to Serena!

[@DonGivani]

Hiring a French tenniscoach and her Intrinsic motivation to connect with African francophone speed up her French

[@manisthemeasure2205]

When you put it like that, it sounds very easy and effortless. She also speaks Italian, how do you figure she did that?

[@StarDust_2077]

😂

[@allthingstw2566]

“Francophone “?!👀, no wonder those countries are so far behind. Seems like a badge of honour to be linked to their “Godfather “ France. I’m proudly South African, we never identify ourselves or claim any links with Britain.

[@awellculturedmanofanime1246]

@@allthingstw2566 sure buddy im pretty sure south africans see it as a cool thing that they have a connection to the uk and netherlands the same way its not a francophone thing because anglophone africa is the same way towards the UK and USA etc

[@rowen42069]

​@allthingstw2566 you say this while speaking English, South Africa is an Anglophone country, our people never fail to disappoint😂😂😂

[@TheTeachingCouple]

We had no idea she could speak French 😊 Bravo! 👏

[@merrytunes8697]

Who is we? I’m confused by your comment.

[@merrytunes8697]

@utubechannel3846 I knew she could speak French. I have watched her competitions and post interviews; I’m not claiming to be a fan for likes. No need to be embarrassingly rude. I’m all about supporting phenomenal melanated women. C’est tout. Au revoir.

[@merrytunes8697]

@utubechannel3846 the original poster could have just said “I did not know she speaks French.” Just trying to clarify who this WE is. Is this proverbial WE: Americans, women, men, kids, Canadians, tennis fans, Serena fans, etc? But continue to be obtuse. Social media has turned into a ridiculous joke. Speak for yourselves.

[@NorthernMike-1]

@utubechannel3846 no one likes either a hater or a “know it all”! Your comment was very rude and very inappropriate

[@kijihigh6826]

This is crazy. We never heard Serena speaking French. Wow! The media really did not like Serena. She was super super talented person.

[@DixonDixon65]

You dont follow Tennis or Serena...l knew! Stop blaming cuz YOU DIDNT KNOW! When Serena beat Maria Sharapova at the French Finale, Serena speech was in French. Maria look pissed...and Turned to Serena and said," l understood you! " Serena's French was Better than Maria's!!!😂😂😂 Serena is Amazing!

[@LizNeptune]

was?

[@glo9797]

​@LizNeptune Came here to say the same thing.

[@kijihigh6826]

@@LizNeptune Sorry .....meant to say she still is talented. Thank you for the correction.

[@dplj4428]

USA media and education still think everyone else should speak English.

[@JulianMwine]

I had no idea Serena Williams speaks French

[@Ladiopfa]

Well, actually she doesn’t! 🤣🤣🤣

[@lordvoldemort5725]

@@Ladiopfa?

[@smelly1060]

​@@Ladiopfa🙄 care to elaborate

[@andrewallace5574]

Me either

[@rob_cd]

​@@Ladiopfa Then wtf is she speaking in these clips, pig Latin?

[@crabclaws-if3kx]

She’s so incredible ❤

[@hellohjbgjh]

Learning languages is great. Serena , Djoko speak beautifully. I don't care that he rolls the r, many do, learning language is not a competition. The perfection is not human. Every accent is great ❤❤

[@rmb2664]

Serena would make out fine in Montreal. She is easily understood. We would say, Elle se debrouille bien en français. It is meant to be a compliment. We accept her French mistakes and all and respect her fearlessness.

[@kevinfacey6975]

I remember back when I was in college, I had a French class, and I remember a female classmate saying about the importance of learning another language. I understood what she said at the time. However, I am now in my 50s and I wish I had took French more seriously. Respect to Serena on learning French.

[@ZarmaryZ]

You can lets take a class what do you have to loose do it for your pleasure

[@Sheba_316]

Fascinating story, I didn’t know Serena spoke other languages. You’re a great story teller too.

[@mortimeredwards8796]

This is an amazing documentary on Serena French speaking abilities.

[@RamblerofLands]

Great Video. I always enjoy seeing someone else's journey with language learning. Its a perfect motivator to keep going when you hit a wall

[@heyitsshay6058]

People forgot Serena is also an esthetician. Big respect to her 👏🏾 🙌🏾 🙏🏾 ❤

[@lmusima3275]

As someone who’s been learning Italian for a long time, I’d use these points to improve my speaking skills

[@nathalienguyen6860]

Whole heartedly agree. Serena is so amazing. I love her

[@Sarbet888]

We hope every child, especially black children, could have parents like the Williams.

[@Allthebest1010]

There are plenty of "us" black chlidren who had and have parents like the Williamses. There are plenty of us black-Americans (non-african, non-Carribean) who went to school AND who ALSO took french in school (as well as Spanish etc..) studied it all through high school and have gone to France/Switzerland speaking it on at least a solid conversational level - Just many of us have not taken Roland Garros like Serena is all. Yet The whole feel of this video: WOW it's soooooooooo unbelievabley amazing Serena speaks strong conversational French (like anyone- she make a few slight mistakes-) and comments as USUAL is the one insufferable bore -->as when any black person of well-known accomplishment- we have to hear the whole --- or their-parents-kept-them --"out of trouble" WELLL allow me a rant: MANY of us black ppl "stay out of trouble" - "trouble is NOT the only option for every single black person in America ffs. Many of us are Lawyers, Doctors, Judges, Executives and just hard workers. It's just a complete bore bc it's clear ppl do not know much at all abt Black ppl. (I'm not claiming racism- I'm claiming fatigue from the tiring "SURPRISE!!!!" and "ignorance" thrown around "harmlessly in this video and comments. Otherwise the video was very nice although the uploader might want to clarify: Ghana isn't a French-speaking country- It's an English speaking country- French is spoken by few there.

[@hanabae_]

Exactly I have parents like that ..married 40 years and counting and plenty of my friends do too. So Sorbet keep you shady comment to yourself!

[@camillesamples8790]

@@Allthebest1010 True. Many black students took a foreign language before they stopped requiring them in school. My niece speaks French and Spanish. A cousin is a German Professor. My father minored in French in the 30's.

[@whoiskangkang]

I remember that Serena presented championship speech at the Roma Open by Italian.

[@Dondee1997]

This!

[@dlewis483]

Kudos to her! I am learning European português but as a francophone. Elle parle très bien le français! She is quite good

[@l_vwv_l]

I remember from king Richard movie that she speaks Italian as well and that was her and her sisters language of choice to speak together

[@heatheranderson9554]

Wow!

[@Rescue162]

I've known for a couple of years now that Serena Williams speaks fluent French. I didn't know that part of her learning was to hire a French-speaking tennis coach.

[@ericwinter4513]

I'm a musician, and I've been privileged enough to study with a number of Cuban musicians, and even those teachers who speak English, I have them teach me in Spanish, so I'm improving my Spanish through learning to do something in the language. Very rewarding and helpful.

[@clarencedavis1]

I took Dutch lessons once a week with negligible success. But when I started working among the Dutch where some couldn't speak English, I got more out of that than I ever could've from my lessons. Living among the Dutch helped also. Some can't tell I ever have an accent and are surprised English is my native language. I started at 25 years of age and many are surprised I started so late considering my fluency.

[@stevenponte6655]

I love the looks of the faces of the other people on that show when Serena is speaking French. Its like you are watching them fall in love in real time! :)

[@Zomerset]

I’m enjoying this series of interesting videos about well-known people learning a new language. I had no idea about their language skills. To the untrained ear, Serena sounds fluent and if I didn’t know who she was, I would have said she was French.

[@nix2747]

This video has been very informative and motivational

[@cathybroadus4411]

My Queen still has haters. Equivocation and pedantry. Don’t hate, learn another language too.

[@mochalattemiss]

Thank you--as if people from Compton, CA can’t learn French because…what, again? Oh, they are Black? Poor? Ignorant? yeah. I heard this man’s racism loud and clear.

[@DixonDixon65]

😂❤❤

[@ericwinter4513]

One more comment. I just want to say that this video contains some of the best language-learning advice I've heard. Or at least, I owe most of my success in learning other languages to many of these tips. Creating your own immersion environment (talking to myself, talking to my dog, processing the world around me), being endlessly curious, always trying to learn new words, connecting with people in the culture, finding things to do through the language that aren't focused on learning the language, and along with the curiousness bit, throwing out your ego, putting yourself out there, and not being afraid to say the wrong thing or look stupid, because guess what? You will! I think that's one of the biggest hurdles that holds people back. Once you let go of that, you can go so far. Btw, when people talk about being more fluent in a language when they have a few drinks? I absolutely believe that to be true, though of course, there is a point of diminishing returns. 😅

[@RuizCaz]

Serena had to be 2xs as good to get 1/2 of what she deserved being a GOAT in tennis. She should have been more acknowledged by sponsors and investors but she didn’t look like Anna Kournikova. Uphill battle.

[@kijihigh6826]

Whitney Houston played the piano beautifully but no one knew this until after she died. A pity!!!

[@tantradossantos4501]

That was a very creative and interesting approach. Bien joué !

[@boomerbloomer]

This is an inspiring and informative channel.

[@roguephoenix]

no one speaks a language perfectly unless they are some sort of teacher in that language (even then, sometimes it's not going to be perfect)

[@felicityfortuna]

Even native speakers don't speak "perfectly".

[@jpeyton88]

@roguephoenix Yes, too many teqchers say between you and I, hopefully, it looks like, the reason is because, and the list goes on. My hs teacher was a grammar nazi, but her way of teaching and expectations are long gone

[@scalare70]

Oh, I forgot to mention... :) In Norway we learn English from 2nd/3rd grade. French and German from 7th grade. One of my French teachers told my class the first lessons; to get the 4 (!) sounds correct in French; Un bon vin blanc (a good white wine)

[@guyl9456]

Another brillant video by "mr" Olly. Everybody knows English is a universal language in the sense it will open the most doors but it does not mean other languages are useless. I am in North America and in the field I work multilingualism is the name of the game.

[@s.k.2017]

In Dominican Republic they also use the word Guagua for bus/autobus, amongst a couple of other words. All vans, or vehicles that are similar in size or shape, are referred to as Guaguas.

[@kdcbattlecreek]

I can decipher French reading, and forgot much of the Spanish because I never had enough opportunity to speak to people after I learned it. This indoors me to pick it up again. Most language was learned in Chicago.

[@jaxxon98]

Great video, thanks.

[@NadinesBrandBuilders]

I'm terrible at languages, but I found this an interesting and engaging video, thank you.

[@Mostirrelevant]

When I started learning different languages, reading helped me a lot to build vocabulary and get different ideas how to say or express myself differently, especially providing answers to read story and retelling it to myself in a way. However, I do think the listening to different materials helped me build a speaking confidence... Don't know, probably the combination of both things and forcing myself to use the language on more regular basis was the combination that propeled my learning

[@jujutrini8412]

I find watching common or popular dramas very helpful too.

[@meeeka]

I'm bi-racial, tri-lingual and grew up in LA. Then I grew up and added another 6 languages.

[@jrjoseph9213]

She speaks French enough to be understand but it is clearly not a ''perfect'' French. It is still something remarkable from her since we rarely see American speak anything other then English..

[@stevenponte6655]

but the nice thing is that those other panellists dont care if its not perfect. They love her speaking it anyway. That has been my experience with the French (and mine is nowhere near as good as Selenas)

[@VerdeLane]

But she's continuously working on it. Her daughter has been learning since she was a toddler.

[@buttaman34]

Lots of Americans speak other languages it's just your idea of someone from the US is a white college kid. Its the land of immigrants

[@backforthelasttime]

Love this🙌🏾

[@greymatters7039]

Another reason to love Serena. 🫶

[@iona6558]

14:10 funnily enough sometimes Cameroonian francophones will roll the R too. I hear it when my aunts and uncles get excited at parties 😅

[@rachelwilliams2685]

I’m surprised no one else has pointed out that Ghana is not part of French Africa. It is a former British colony.

[@s.p.8803]

Everyone knows this. But it's not the subject of the video. Ghana is still a country where Francophonie is important

[@vickiev.7016]

​@@s.p.8803not true no francophonie in Ghana even the tiniest one

[@s.p.8803]

@@vickiev.7016 LMAO Ghana is a member of Francophonie since almost 20 years. Not a lot of people speak it, but, because of a border with 3 French-speaking countries, some people do speak it.

[@vickiev.7016]

@@s.p.8803 what you are talking about?! No Ghanian speak french because they board some french speaking countries! Ghanaians speak english or their local languages. The countries where native people speak french because they are surrounding by french speaking African countries are Angola and Equato' Guinea.There you can find a good amount of the population speaking both Spanish/Portuguese and French

[@s.p.8803]

@@vickiev.7016 People need to cross borders and work with neighbouring countries. So, some people speak French, wether you like it or not

[@joanclayton5212]

You didn't show how she learned French. Which steps did she take. Did she read books? Did she have a tutor? How long did it take for her to master the language? C-

[@Wiseamphibian87]

That’s an Easy Answer ; Serena is A Pro with Money ; so highly likely, had a private Language tutor , French friends & she visits France frequently; so that gives her A Chance to practice with locals & getting better @ enunciating challenging French vocabulary. Also as shown in this video; she hired A French Tennis coach so probably; she had more Authentic practice as this You tuber illustrated. Language learning is about curiosity & repetition over & over Again till you get better at it !!! French isn’t difficult if you practice daily & find time to go to A French Speaking country for Practice.

[@michellerowe-smith5803]

Her dad insisted that both of his daughters learn French, Spanish and Italian while living in Florida.

[@valsainking]

Olly, your Spanish accent is lovely! 👏

[@elizabethrobertson1159]

Absolutely...learning Italian, I've learnt through classes, not in the language, but in art, yoga; whatever you're passionate about.

[@morrisyork6133]

As was mentioned below by Hunh Bro, French is still spoken in the states. The Cajuns of Louisiana employ their own dialects, in particular the Acadiana region, where, miraculously, the accent seems to remain uniform!

[@alishadennis7769]

Serena 😍🥰👑🌹💋🎉🎉💪💪💪🙏 is awesome 💯😎💯😎💯🎉🎉

[@poussinhamzah4013]

Olly your British accent is sooo nice and posh ❤❤❤

[@asalwaysashntir]

Californian here, I just wanted to let everyone know that French is taught here as well as Spanish! No hate to the Olly but it’s not hard that a woman from Compton can learn French.

[@Huhn-Bruh]

Her father is from Louisiana and Louisiana has two versions of French with multiple dialects of each. One French and one Créole French based language.

[@ShaniOnSinai]

There’s also Cajun French and the Louisiana French which you may refer to. I love French!!!!!!!!!!!!’❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Huhn-Bruh]

@@ShaniOnSinai what they refer to as Cajun French is actually the Louisiana French. What happened is around 1960 with government funding they started claiming everything French influenced in Louisiana as Cajun. They didn't do it with Creole because they called it Français Nèg

[@NorthernMike-1]

To begin with. Serena speaks French much better than your average high school French student. Let accept this and recognize that we do not show surprise or admiration for someone learning High School French. Secondly. As a Half Québécois Canadian, I am the first to recognize that Québécois and Cajun French can only be described as HillBilly French. And if anyone takes offence, it’s obviously due to your lack of speaking or understanding proper French. The difference between French from France, Lebanon and most of French Africa is dramatically different from Quebec, Haiti, and Louisiana! Even French have difficulty in deciphering those variations!

[@Huhn-Bruh]

@@NorthernMike-1 Louisiana is its own thing that developed BEFORE standard France French was a thing therefore it's not subjected to France's rules.

[@canchero724]

Novak's lack of obsession with perfection in his foreign languages is an interesting contrast looking at his obsession with perfection in tennis. He truly knows where to direct his obsessiveness in certain areas of his life and where not to do so.

[@alicetwain]

Perfection in Tennis leads to winning tournaments. Perfection in languages leads you to be stuck when trying to communicate. On tops, speaking is the hardest skill of learning a foreign language. When I tackle a language it always takes me at least a couple years before being able to express myself speaking, when by then I already understand a lot and can write at least at a basic level.

[@FilJR99]

I’m not a super fan of Novak, but I admire his mindset and competitiveness. I also think he expresses quite well and in several languages, which for me is a sign of great respect, adaptability and intelligence.👍🏻

[@haruki5401]

She is not one of the greatest, she is the Greatest!

[@cheryldonegan4111]

Great video with great, true advice...wow! I REALLY admire Serena even more now as French and Italian are my two target languages...Very inspired!!!!

[@wegotthis247]

There’s no short cut. Self study and immerse yourself with the language. Watch news, sitcoms, movies, listen to music etc in the language you’re learning. Bonus if you live near communities that speak the language - they often will help you learn their language while you’re helping them learn yours.

[@rachelgilbert3617]

Une tres belle video , tres inspirante, merci.

[@ProMasterH]

Could you make a video for suggesting books for intermediate learners in Spanish

[@stef75017]

Je ne savais pas qu'elle parlait français ni qu'elle vivait à Paris

[@Huhn-Bruh]

"But you're American, no Americans soeak any other languages"... Uhh... Louisiana, USA has it's own versions of French, one French dialect and one Creole French. Sarena's dad is actually from Louisiana though not from the French speaking areas (as far as I know) but he did used to spend time in at oeast one of those areas.

[@trevh1400]

Is there any update on when you can introduce Thai to your Story Learning offerings please?

[@LEM19284]

It’s strange the U.S. sports and/or news NEVER EVER showed her speaking French after matches or anytime.

[@jamesbond-xl3xs]

There's only one other female tennis player one could make the argument for being the best femaie tennis player over Serena and that's Steffi Graf. Other than that, Serena's the best ever female tennis player of all time.

[@ericmills9839]

Excitée is not quite the word she should have used...that kind of excited is much more in line with sexual arousal. It's very common for native english speakers, so French people usually let it go if you have an accent, but will still elicit some giggles from time to time! She's done a great job, not easy to pick up a language as an adult and she's clearly been a very busy person with her career since being a teenager.

[@gigiatlas2364]

Excité : horny 🤷‍♀️

[@ronlugbill1400]

I noticed that too. True, but due to foreign influence, native French speakers have started using “excitée” in the sense of the English word. I have heard it used in “Dix pour cent”. So, I no longer correct English speakers who use it this way. Although I would use a different word, like simply “heureuse “.

[@grandsome1]

only in metropolitan French, in other French regions excité has a more nuanced meaning.

[@anthony98765432]

Nope, she's not ONE of the greatest, SHE IS THE GREATEST. Name a better female tennis player than her in any era. Steffi Graf used to be my number one, until Serena surpassed her.

[@nubianncahill3570]

Keep up the good

[@oliviaelektra]

Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players* - fixed it for you. No shade btw, keep up the good work!

[@FGGiskard]

As a spaniard living in France I’d say her French is a solid intermediate level but being able to make a TV interview in french is massive confidence. A Parisian, though, would probably look at her in disdain wondering why she’s butchering their language 😂

[@DixonDixon65]

Love This. Serena is best!🤩⛲️

[@madreep]

I had a very nice librarian in junior high who had immigrated from France. I spent alot of time in the library, and she taught me basic French and my love affair with all things French began. I took French all through high school and haven't spoken it in the 30 years since and have forgotten much of it. Which is frustrating. As an American who has never traveled outside of the country I had few opportunities to speak the language, and living in a border state Spanish is far more useful. But even my Spanish isn't very good anymore. I had surgery for a brain tumor in 2012 and even though the surgery was not near the part of the brain that language comes from I have had a hard time with Spanish. My taste in food is very different now too.

[@lordmeow182]

Have you gone back to reading or listening to French? I've gone back to Spanish after 30 years. I've been surprised how much has come back. And KZbin vids can be played at a slower speeds, and many will auto-generate captions. If your tumor didn't effect your language area, it may still be accessible, just needing some practice. Good luck!

[@KunaVenue]

Impressive Serena!

[@kijihigh6826]

I learned eight languages. However I should have studied harder and developed in those areas a lot more. Different languages do s after you into different directions. S real Tower of Babel!!!

[@ricktaylor5397]

Great show on one of my favorite athletes. I do have a serious question about lack of motivation to learn a language. I love learning French. I find German intriguing, and Italian makes me grin. But I cannot get motivated to learn Spanish. I grew up in Texas during the 70’s, so I’ve certainly been exposed to Spanish on a daily basis. I try to take Spanish classes, but I get bored and quit. I previously thought my upbringing in Texas didn’t make me racist regarding Spanish speakers, but lately I’m not so sure. Any thoughts?

[@lisanarramore222]

I think you simply don't perceive Spanish as an exciting language to learn because you've been hearing it all your life, so your motivation isn't there in the same way it would be with a more 'exotic' language you're unfamiliar with. It's normal! In other countries where a second or third language is constantly around you growing up (like South Africa) people experience the same. Just learn whatever language you want to learn - there are no rules. :)

[@IDIDances]

Another thought, I grew up in an area where I heard Spanish frequently. I hated learning it, because I could hear how terrible my accent was. 😂 I made better progress with a language I did not hear growing up because I allowed myself to be a beginner instead of expecting perfection.

[@thehapagirl92]

I’m the same. I was born and raised and live in SoCal and I don’t want to learn Spanish. It seems boring. I’m learning French

[@kdcbattlecreek]

If you take a few classes and find someone who is accommodating, learning the language is more fun. You might bump into someone who wants to speak English better but is shy. Then you help each other.

[@Daniel-wi6sk]

It’s true, se makes mistakes, her French is far from perfect, but you realize it really doesn’t matter when what you want is to get your point across, react in a natural way, have a lively conversation and keep the communication flowing…

[@nathanclark5812]

She just said “je suis exité” 💀💀💀

[@Kitiwake]

😮

[@ledernierutopiste]

yeah that sort of mistake is very acceptable. Most of the time in french it means "i'm horny", but you can also use it in the same way english used "i'm excited" if you clearly state what you're excited by. So : "je suis excité" alone means "i'm horny" but "je suis excité par cette finale" actually means "i'm excited by this finale", so it's really ok.

[@hellohjbgjh]

We know that she calqued the English word so it's not important. We need to stumble to get progress

[@jpeyton88]

Yes, Innerfrench on youtube has a complete 20 minutes on "excité" and how it's acceptable if you are discussing something that interests you. My French friend has told me the same. If you are leering with a wine glass in hand, then you may or may not want to say "excité."

[@78SR]

@@ledernierutopisteIt’s best for Americans to avoid using that phrase. Another common mistake is saying, "Je suis chaude."

[@shaltale9723]

Why can't people from Compton learn French?

[@kraichellecurren7892]

They clearly can. Unfortunately certain groups of people have been painted into a ridiculous box. Certain representations are pushed in the media blah blah blah you know how the story goes. We can appreciate he’s highlighting her talents beyond what she’s known for and be inspired.

[@DLH925]

I think the movie straight out of Compton and NWA went worldwide. It seems as if people from there are struggling with no time for education!

[@GFAprodite]

It Was A Very Poor Place With Limited Resources.

[@MsChicoro]

Thank you.

[@kdcbattlecreek]

People from Compton learned to play tennis, too.

[@felixmbandandayitabi4536]

Under the supervision of mr Novak. Serena's french is puzzling: she builds discourse as an educated American but her code is a mix of west African accent and parisian codes

[@NicolasMison-d1f]

Actually, that's not a very good french... She's ok... We (french people) understand her, but not very good, like Bradley Cooper, Jodie Foster or Tom Hiddleston... not even as good as Johnny Depp...

[@batgirlp5561]

​@@NicolasMison-d1fIf she can understand you and you can understand her, that is 'good', because understanding is the goal.😊

[@rsmith1820]

​@@batgirlp5561 THANK YOU. I would love to know the necessity of the French to put down people who TRY? I would never make fun of or degrade someone from another country who at least made the EFFORT. They may be able to make a croissant or design a garment but they need to cultivate Compassion

[@kingofmambo]

​@@rsmith1820because there s a difference between good and "understandable" snowflake

[@felixmbandandayitabi4536]

@@NicolasMison-d1f vous vous sentez investit de la police de la langue 😛 ? Le français est ma langue maternelle, et très tôt, d'ici moins de 15 ans mon pays, la RDC sera le pays avec le plus grand nombre de locuteurs du français ! Habitues-toi à l'idée que le "bon" français " ne sera plus normé en France.

[@elizabethrobertson1159]

Inspiring video. I'm English, moved to Italy 20 years ago, and speak pretty good Italian...although I'm learning daily. I really want to learn a third language. My head says German because I work for a German family and not many people speak German. My heart says, learn French...it's so beautiful, so je ne sai quoi, so sexy.

[@alicetwain]

If you are fluent in Italian, French may be easier because they are almost two dialects of the same language (Latin). Although French is a bit more different from Italian when compared to, for instance, Spanish, once you start learning you just can't help noticing that the two are just so similar. Indeed, learning French in school helped me speaking a better Italian (ah, come ti insegna a usare bene il congiuntivo...) too because I focussed on the same or very similar rules from a different point of view.

[@bohemienneprincesse8665]

a little off subject - Olly, love that globe!

[@Electrostatic_Fusion]

JE PARLE FRANÇAIS ❤

[@careymilus3663]

Moi aussi

[@Amtcboy]

She speaks Italian too. (Edit: I wrote this before the video ended. Olly mentioned this too later in the video)

[@books6000]

Most of the comments are hateful and so belittling to Serena. Shame on you!

[@paestum70]

Novak's ego is so huge that he is probably convinced he speaks 50 languages. I'll take Serena any day! Go Serena!

[@watching7650]

The French R is where you are all wet: the phoneme does of course include the « r grasseyé » of course, but also the rolled r of the countryside, the omitted, ie non-rhotic r of parts of Africa, and a number of other sounds. There is absolutely no obligation to « grasseyer » for anyone learning it.Even an American r is perfectly understandable

[@Ash2theB]

Serena probably had to take Spanish. California we had to take at least one language course usually in High School. I took French in middle school but when I got to High school I chose to learned Spanish since Los Angeles. Latin American Spanish has big influence here and is usually prioritized as a secondary language to learn. In the past, children used to be stigmatized from learning their mother tongue.

[@madreep]

I'm in Phoenix and it's similar here, but I grew up in Oregon. I met my best friend there in the 6th grade and her first language is Spanish as she is from Mexico and her family only spoke Spanish at home. They all still took Spanish in school though because although they spoke fluent Spanish they weren't literate in it. Her kids all did as well, and her grandsons are in Spanish immersion in elementary school although Spanish is also their first language. My son's as well, I sent him to her house while I worked so he learned Spanish from infancy.

[@Goldniz]

As a French person … I mean … yeah I had to focus and organize my thoughts to understand what she said

[@JoyeuxJovialement1]

Vous exagerez un peu

[@Goldniz]

@@JoyeuxJovialement1 J’ai rien compris de ce qu’elle a dit c’est la vérité

[@grandsome1]

Laisse moi deviner, t'es parisien?

[@Goldniz]

@@grandsome1 Comment t’as deviné 😃!!!! J’ai longtemps vécu à Moncuq aussi

[@grandsome1]

@@Goldniz Parce que les parisiens comprennent pas les accents qui ne sont pas parisien. Ils le sauraient si ils comprennenait ce que les autres francophones disent. Mais bon, Moncuq-de-la-Craq c'est bien aussi.

[@everythingiseverything9920]

I don't get the obsession with the R. It really doesn't matter at all. Most times, if you force it too much, it's off and _sounds ugly_ , your natural R is most likely just fine. I think learning sounds such as "an / en / in / on / un" would be a lot more impressive because then you're pronouncing right, you're easier to understand. (I'm not saying that as a golden rule, it's just a random example)

[@Huhn-Bruh]

Because that French R is really strange, hard to do and sometimes it sounds like an English H so it can be confusing.

[@Huhn-Bruh]

Because that French R is really strange, hard to do and sometimes it sounds like an English H so it can be confusing.

[@jonathankabasele985]

😊respect to Serena williams😊