Why is the findmadeleine website not in the French language

by Liz Eagles 02.08.13 14:32

findmadeleine.com is available in 4 languages. English, Portuguese, Spanish and German. Obviously French wasn't a consideration even though the language is widely spoken across the world, France has an enormous population and is a gateway by road and sea from Spain (and Portugal) to the rest of Europe.

France is a popular tourist destination - in fact Gerry McCann has recently revealed that he and his family have holidayed there with the twins this year.

Moroccans speak French and the McCanns went to Morocco, yet still nothing in the French language on the 37k website funded by donations exclusively purported to leave no stone unturned to find Madeleine. The McCanns went to France and didn't have a nice welcome from the French press in the aftermath of Madeleine's disappearance.

by marconi 02.08.13 14:45

aquila wrote:findmadeleine.com is available in 4 languages. English, Portuguese, Spanish and German. Obviously French wasn't a consideration even though the language is widely spoken across the world, France has an enormous population and is a gateway by road and sea from Spain (and Portugal) to the rest of Europe.

France is a popular tourist destination - in fact Gerry McCann has recently revealed that he and his family have holidayed there with the twins this year.

Moroccans speak French and the McCanns went to Morocco, yet still nothing in the French language on the 37k website funded by donations exclusively purported to leave no stone unturned to find Madeleine. The McCanns went to France and didn't have a nice welcome from the French press.

how do you know they did not have a nice welcome in France?

by **tigger** 02.08.13 18:53

France Soir certainly isn't nice to the McCanns, one of the first to print stories about sedation and overdoses.

It may also be that the French cannot understand leaving children alone. The Ecoles Maternelle in France make much of the toddler groups - like Mediterranean countries, the French take their children everywhere. To restaurants and would not understand a family holiday where you barely see your children.

by Guest 02.08.13 19:46

Quite right, Tigger. I remember occasions when little kids around midnight would fall asleep in the restaurant. And when they'd been running around a bit earlier in the evening, nobody took offense: they're children and need some running from time to time ...

by Liz Eagles 02.08.13 21:29

Just from a practical point of view I don't understand why the McCanns chose not to translate their website pages into French. The closest countries to Portugal are Spain, France and Morocco (French is spoken in Morocco).

What made the McCanns decide that French wasn't considered as a vital language for their website?

What was the the decision to not include the French as people who would be 'vigilant' in the search for Madeleine about? France is a large country and it's a gateway to many other countries in Europe.

The following was pointed out to me re Morocco - the country where French is widely spoken (thank you J):

"It only takes 45 MINUTES to get there (Morocco) from Spain/Portugal

BUT it took the McCanns 40 DAYS to get there!

Even tho there was a 'sighting' there shortly after the 'event'

The McCanns were busy going the OTHER way on their 'tour'!

And didn't Metodo 3 deliberately misdirect journos and others AWAY from PDL, and the McS, and even to Morrocco!"

I find it strange that there is nothing in French. Nothing marketed to the French or France which is a big holiday destination too but then again most things about Madeleine's disappearance are strange.

I really do feel it is a very important question to ask the Fund why they chose not to translate their website into French.