speak a little French or speak French a little

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Fujibei

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2011
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Student or Learner
Native Language
Japanese
Home Country
Japan
Current Location
Japan
If I am a poor speaker of French, which of the following is more appropriate?
1) I speak a little French.
2) I speak French a little.

I've read in a blog that "I speak French a little" could mean "I don't spend much time speaking French, thou I can speak it pretty well when I have the chance."

Please help me clear up my confusion.
 
As an NES but not a teacher, the meanings to me would be as follows:

1) I speak a little French - I do speak some French, but only a little - try me and see if I can understand.
2) I speak French a little - same as 1, but also could mean I speak some French, but not regularly - and possibly less than in 1.
3) I speak little French - I speak less French than in 1 or 2.

Regards
R21
 
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