i went to one of the local baby shops this afternoon to pick up an item for mom, the babysitter (she watches our friend Maria's 6 month old Grace a few mornings each week)...one of those rolling walkers, you know the type? a flying saucer with a sling seat, plastic tray and wheels for scooting around just prior to really walking. do they have a name in English? if so, i don't know it. ok, now try to think of the name IN FRENCH!
this is what i came up with: "Bonjour Madame, excusez moi s'il vous plait de vous deranger, mais j'ai un question. je cherche une petite voiture pour un enfant qui voudrait marcher. C'est comme une circle avec des tyres qu'elle peut assieor dans. Est-ce que vous avez quelque chose comme ca?"
translation: "Hello Madame, I'm sorry to bother you, but I have a question please. I'm looking for a small car for a baby who wants to walk. It's like a circle with tires that she can sit in. Do you have something like that?"
believe it or not, it worked!