Question

Which line in this excerpt from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales contradicts the claim made in the third line that the prioress speaks fluent French?

Her greatest oath was but By Saint Eloy!
And she was known as Madam Eglantine…
And fair she spoke her French, and fluently,
After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow,
For French of Paris was not hers to know.
At table she had been well taught withal,
And never from her lips let morsels fall,…

Answer 1

The line “For French of Paris was not hers to know” shows that the prioress did not really speak French. My English teacher put the way in which the prioress knew French as “French slang”, meaning she did not really speak proper and professional French, but the way we talk as naturalized Americans like saying “wha?” Instead of “I’m sorry, what?”

Answer 2

d. For French of Paris was not hers to know

PLATO