My French is a bit rusty...

[Thanuir]

I will be playing a game set in victorian age, GM'd by Thalin. My character will know French or maybe be a native of that language. I would very much like to add a bit of colour to my play with some French phrases.

Unfortunately, I have studied a total of two years of French soe years ago and remember almost none of it.

Would someone be as kind as to help me out a bit?

How would one politely greet a group of (a) gentlemen (b) married women (c) unmarried women (d) groups with mixed gender? What about a single member of the category (a), (b) or (c)? All assuming the people are, if not nobility, at least upper middle class or fairly famous artists or such.

I might ask more when they spring to mind.

[ChattyDM]

I think I can help you out here my dear Scandinavian friend...

How would one politely greet a group of (a) gentlemen
(a) Bonjour Messieurs

(b) Bonjour Mesdames (Followed by a 'Baise-main' where you take the lady's hand and kiss it lightly)

(c) Bonjour Mesdemoiselles

(d) Bonjour à tous (Salutations to all)

Single (a): Monsieur

Single (b) Madame

Single (c) (which just shouldn't happen in a civilised Victorian setting unless you want to engage in some bodice rippers... he he ) Mademoiselle

Now if they are indeed nobility you need to address them by their formal title. 

Duchess: Madame la Duchesse

Duke: Monsieur le Duke

Countess: Madame la Contesse

Count: Monsieur le Conte

Royalty: Votre Majesté (both sexes)

Bishop/Cardinal: Votre Grace (Your grace)

I found this... it might be of interest.

Hope this helps... I had no French History, being Canadian, so my knowledge is limited to general world history, the colonizing of Canada and reading 'Le conte de Monte Cristo' 

[Yan]

Ah! "Le conte de Monte Cristo" IMO the best book written by the French author Alexandre Duma (and one of the best story written).

But if you want Victorian setting all the musketeer book by the same author are good reference material.

[Graham]

Chatty - I fixed your image/link/attempted link using the image tag instead.

Thanuir - You also need to learn to swear like a frenchman.

My favourite:

Ouate de Phoque

(actual translation: Seal Cotton!)

[Mike]

Actually... "Ouate de Phoque" is a phonetically french translation of the popular WTF If you really want some Victorian french swearing you might try with " Mordieu" IMHO...

[ChattyDM]

LOl.... oh he knows Mike, he knows.... 

[Thanuir]

Thanks Phil and Mike. Much appreciated.

[Mike]

My pleasure.... or as we say: "Bienvenue, mon cher"

[Thanuir]

Current (correct) name: "Mendel Guillerme". Surname in actual use: "Finet". Father's first name: "Joseph". Mother's name: Unknown.

Are these too stupid to use or are there other such concerns?

[ChattyDM]

It's all fine man.  However, Mendel is more of a German name (as the father of modern Genetics). 

Alternate spellings/similar sounding names:

Mandel
Marcel (a common French name)
Michel

I like Guillerme.  Totally French and old school.

[Thanuir]

Mandel Guillerme sounds good. I'll take one of those.