canany one translate French?

Oui.
Depends on the context.

Its one of the scenes from the film the great escape

GERMAN SPOKEN Ah Francais?
GERMAN SPOKEN Jawohl
FRENCH comme versant
FRENCH mais oui.Parlez-vous francsis
FRENCH unpeu
FRENCH votre accent est tres bon
FRENCH j'ai etudie dans les ecoles superieures
FRENCH tres bien passez

Aha, is this the bit where the German is checking the documents?

On the side?

It could be 'as pouring' but really depends on the context. The whole phrase or sentence would be helpful to translate it properly.

I know Google renders it as “comme versant ” but perhaps it is “conversant” as in “conversational, fluent” ?
(Converser =to have a conversation)

Actually I think the wording is wrong here. It doesn't make sense.

If you study 2nd world war documents, French identity papers start with nom, then nationalité, followed by profession.
Therefore I think he is reading the word "commerçant" on the document which means a tradesman or shopkeeper.

I'd translate it as a slightly amusing way to say "fluent" - like flowing - down a slope

Nannarose that’s what I thought. Not clear where you got it from ?

couramment is fluently

But I still don't think he is asking what language he speaks, more his nationality.

I think the Gestapo bloke is asking "Commerçants?" (businessmen/salespeople?)

As expert linguists we agree growstuff!

growstuff

I think the Gestapo bloke is asking "Commerçants?" (businessmen/salespeople?)

Oh... difficult to know which is the gestapo bloke !! This
Being google is reminding me if the horrors of google translate. When I used to say to students I’m afraid you’ve used google translate here they would be very indignant and say “how do you know ?”??

I think many used the word "commerçant" on their documents because that gave them the excuse for travelling .... when really they were escaping.
That is your answer infoman. 100% sure.
I remember studying the format of all the papers when I was a translator for the international police.

Are you sure he's not saying convaincant?I've listened to it several times, if it is it means convincing / plausible.
Just a thought.

Where are you listening to it please westendgirl? I would be interested to look beyond the written suggestions.

I found it in You Tube ; The Great Escape Good Luck.

Hope that works , Ellianne

Lucca - just out of my head! Spent a bit of time in France as a teenager

Ah, didn't make The Great Escape connection, in that context, any of the above!

Nannarose

Lucca - just out of my head! Spent a bit of time in France as a teenager

Sorry I meant where did the clip come from

Just played it and it’s Pretty definitely commerçant !

Yes, it makes most sense.

T/you westendgirl.

Thanks for all your replies.
Can I just say, that the German might have been saying
"your conversant"?
to which R.A. says "of course"
in the tone you would expect a Frence person to be conversant in French