Essay on “Me talk pretty one day” by David Sedaris

David Sedaris' essay, "Me Talk Pretty One Day," recounts his experience of returning to school at the age of forty-one and attempting to learn French in Paris under the tutelage of a strict teacher. The central theme of the essay is Sedaris' approach to language acquisition. Despite appearing to have a negative attitude towards learning French, he actually moves to France with only one month of previous French lessons because he believes that he cannot learn proper French in America.

The author's sarcastic and ironic voice is present throughout the essay, adding humor to his experience of learning a new language. His informal language is supported by his personal experiences, and he frequently employs imagery to exaggerate his experiences, providing the reader with a vivid picture of the situation. For instance, when he says, "it's everyone into the language pool, sink or swim," (p. 1, l. 16) he is painting a lifelike picture for the reader.

Additionally, he creates a sense of presence by using sentences like, "Even a fiuscrzsa ticiwelmun knows that a typewriter is feminine" (p. 2, l. 72). By sharing his language-learning journey, including his struggles with vocabulary, he makes it easy for readers to identify with him. The author's attitude towards learning the language evolves throughout the essay, adding depth to his storytelling.

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David Sedaris' experience with learning French in Paris is marked by a strict teacher who instills fear and humiliation in her students. Sedaris initially has a positive attitude towards learning French, but his confidence is shattered after his first lesson. Despite being in France, he is too scared to speak outside of class due to his teacher's personal attacks.

The teacher's behavior erodes the students' confidence and creates a sense of fear and shame in the classroom, bringing the students together. Sedaris copes with the abuse by studying hard, but the teacher continues to belittle him and the other students, making them lose hope in learning the language.

The title "Me talk pretty one day" reflects Sedaris' and his classmates' insecurities and lack of faith in their ability to speak French. The teacher is portrayed as a terrifying and aggressive wild animal, with an attitude that pushing the students hard enough will lead to good results. Sedaris uses vivid imagery to make the reader feel like they are experiencing his struggles firsthand.

Despite describing the teacher as a terrifying wild animal, Sedaris maintains a humorous tone, making the situation relatable to readers who may have found themselves in similar circumstances. Towards the end of the essay, Sedaris appears to have improved his French language skills, and the teacher's insults no longer affect him as much.

Her strict attitude towards everyone causes her insults to lose their sting, and Sedaris finds himself understanding every word of her sentences. This is a victory for him, and he becomes curious about learning the language again. He ends the essay with the sentence, "Talk me more, you, plus, please, plus" (p. 3, l 128), expressing his eagerness to learn despite the insults.

Sedaris' essay highlights that learning a new language requires an understanding of the culture in which it is spoken and feeling comfortable using the language in everyday situations. It is not just about learning words and sounds, as the teacher solely focuses on the language's form rather than its practical use.

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