We've been living in Paris for just over a week now. Yet, we're still struggling with the most basic French phrases, such as "merci" (thank you), "bonjour" (good day), "s'il vou plait" (please) and "oui" (yes). This is not because we can't remember the French phrases, but because we keep tangling the English, Spanish and French languages together.
For example: In Paris, after I ask for an item while shopping, the salesperson usually repeats what I say back to me for confirmation. In that instance my head knows to say "oui", but my mouth instinctively tries to say "si" (Spanish for "yes"). Luckily, I'd stop myself just in time and jump at the next instinct to say "yes" in plain English. Again, I'd stop myself just before the word comes out. I'd then pause with a very constipated look on my face as my mind races to recall the French equivalent. In the meanwhile the person I'm speaking to is staring at me with a quizzical look. By the time I'm able to mumble out a "oui" the appropriate moment has long passed and the Frenchman thinks I'm a dumb-ass, or, more specifically, a dumb-ass American.
*sigh*C'est la vie.