I was wondering what is the best way to say "You speak English very well"?
I am not sure whether at the end it should be "Anglais", or "l'anglais" ?
Vous parlez tres bien Anglais / Tu parles tres bien Anglais
OR
Vous parlez tres bien l'Anglais / Tu parles tres bien l'Anglais
Can anyone tell me what is correct? and why!?!
Thanks,
Lucy
What is the best way to say "You speak English very well"?

SisterLuna--
April 15, 2013

toru e
April 16, 2013
Hmm...good question. I know the answer is "Vous parlez très bien anglais" or "Tu parles très bien anglais" (uncapitalized for language). "L'Anglais" would mean the Englishman or the English.
However, "l'anglais" could also be used for "the English language", so conceptually, it doesn't sound wrong, but it's either an awkward literal translation ("You speak the English very well") or doesn't sound conversational ("You speak the English language very well." vs. "You speak English very well.")
I'd be curious to hear if there is an actual rule per se other than sentence flow.

SisterLuna--
April 16, 2013
Hi,
Thanks for clarifying, that makes total sense. Also for the help with capitalisation - i think i got myself a bit muddled with that.
Yes i'd also be interested to know if there is an actual rule for this.

AMARN--
April 16, 2013
hello

SisterLuna--
April 16, 2013
Bonjour Amarn,
Ca va?!

LICA-C
May 28, 2013
good ?
it depends if u know the person very well like a friend remember there is formal and informal.
it is vous for formal like a tourist /someone you don't know
and tu for ah friend.
use ANGLAIS BY IT SELF NO L'
REMEMBER---L' could mean the so u dont want to say you speak the good french

SisterLuna--
May 28, 2013
Thanks guys, this makes much more sense to me now.