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Mateo Osorio

Oct 07, 2025

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Write about the most important thing you think you should be doing that you are not, and explain why you are not doing it.

I remember walking down the streets of Paris with my mother when I was 6 years old, having my first ever French lesson, reciting the most important sentence she had me memorize:

Je m’appelle Mateo. Je ne parle pas français.

Apparently, the most meaningful parts of my identity when in France were my name and my inability to speak French. Practical, of course - she did it so I was able to get help in case I got lost in this strange foreign city. I’m sure there’s a couple more things I picked up, like how to ask for a Nutella crêpe.

Ten years later, walking to my high school French class - the most advanced one my school offered, I would still whisper to myself under my breath.

Je ne parle pas français.

I couldn’t shake it. For some reason, even though my French eventually got to be fine and I got top grades, my mediocrity ached. Especially compared to my mother and grandparents. Occasionally at Christmas dinner that part of my family would switch to French for a joke, and I’d smile and laugh along, pretending. They knew I was faking it and didn’t understand. I knew they knew. I was embarrassed to be the first Duchamp in generations (maybe ever?) who couldn’t have a conversation in French.

Now I get another chance. D is French. Her family is

very

French. The couple of trips to Brittany and Corsica have provided the immersion years of high school classes could not (and more importantly, the swear words). I’m passable - I’ve done dinners in French, and can survive.

But I see the look. That semi-confused look when my conversation partner is visibly struggling to follow my broken story or explanation. Groups switch to English when I join.

I should study French. It’s hard - it’s one of those moments where I know exactly what I should do, but I don’t. I need to write, read, and speak. It could take years of practice to get good enough.

But to feel comfortable in this new family that’s nothing but kind, generous, and patient with me, I have to.

Avec Monsieur Duchamp

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