For many students, learning French in school can feel like a mundane task. But for me, a routine comedy show with Eddie Izzard sparked something much bigger. Until I was 13, I didn’t appreciate the language. I’d been on family trips to France, but I left the conversations to my parents. I didn’t see the need to learn the words for ‘cat’ or ‘mouse’ or the complexities of French grammar. That all changed one night in front of a VHS copy of Eddie Izzard’s Dress to Kill.
How Eddie Izzard Transformed My View on Learning French
Growing up in Stirlingshire, Scotland, I wasn’t particularly interested in French. I had passed through a few school lessons, but it felt like a mere obligation—until that night. I’d stumbled upon Eddie Izzard’s Dress to Kill special, and I was immediately captivated. His surreal humor, his impressions, and wild tangents made me laugh in ways I hadn’t expected. But it was his bit about learning French that truly clicked for me.
He brought random school French phrases to life, creating absurd scenarios—like discussing “le chat” (the cat), “la souris” (the mouse), and “le singe” (the monkey) in awkward conversations. His ability to take what seemed like dry, boring vocabulary and turn it into a hilarious routine made me realize that language could be fun.
Then, in the encore, Izzard performed part of his routine in French. And something incredible happened: I understood it. One phrase, in particular, “le singe a disparu” (the monkey has disappeared), made everything click. Suddenly, the conjugations, the vocabulary, and the confusing verb tables from my school lessons made sense.
The Beginning of My Language Journey
After that night, I was hooked on learning French. I threw myself into French lessons and it quickly became my favorite subject. I was so engrossed in it that I began learning German as well, and later added Turkish to my linguistic repertoire during university. The more I immersed myself in languages, the more I appreciated their complexity and beauty.
Living the Dream Abroad
Fast forward a few years, and I found myself in Berlin, working in online marketing. Immersed in a city where I could speak German every day, I fell in love with the culture and language. In 2014, I had the opportunity to see Eddie Izzard perform in German. The experience was surreal. I had studied German for years, and here was this comic, taking a language I had learned and making it hilarious. It felt like a full-circle moment.
After three years in Berlin, I moved to Amsterdam and learned Dutch, then made my way to Brussels in 2016, where I now work for the European Commission. At first, my French had slipped, but living in a French- and Dutch-speaking city made it a joy to reconnect with the language. My work is in English, but I use my languages daily when I communicate with colleagues from across Europe.
Unexpected Moments of Humor and Nostalgia
Sometimes, life brings back little reminders of Izzard’s influence. On a trip to Bruges, I passed by a hotel called Le Singe d’Or (The Golden Monkey). I couldn’t help but smile, remembering Izzard’s joke about a monkey. The memory of that routine has stayed with me throughout my life, often sparking a sense of gratitude for how much it changed my perspective on language and learning.
Reflecting on How Far I’ve Come
In 2022, I became a Belgian citizen and filled out the application in French. I sometimes wonder: would I have ever worked for the EU or moved to Brussels if it hadn’t been for Eddie Izzard? His stand-up comedy showed me the fun in language, giving me the tools to build a career and a life in Europe. From those school French lessons to becoming multilingual, it’s clear that Dress to Kill wasn’t just a comedy special for me—it was the catalyst for an entire cultural awakening.
Conclusion
Looking back, I never imagined that a comedy routine would change the course of my life. Eddie Izzard didn’t just make French funny for me—he gave me the motivation to learn languages, pursue an international career, and live in different European cities. It’s a reminder that humor has the power to open doors, change perceptions, and inspire us in ways we least expect. Would I have achieved all this without that pivotal moment of laughter? It’s hard to say—but I’m certainly grateful for how it all began.
