How Germany’s version of Ugly Betty inspired me to learn German

Last Updated on February 2, 2026 by myriamoblogger

Somewhere in France, a French-speaking child sits down at the library, opens a language book, and decides that she’s going to learn how to count from 1 to 10 in German.

A few hours later, the little girl memorised all the numbers and knew how to count in her new favourite language.

That kid was me.

At that time, my favourite TV series was Le Destin de Lisa, also known asVerliebt in Berlin (In Love in Berlin) in Germany. It’s a German series, dubbed in French, which aired on French television from January to December 2007.

Le Destin de Lisa is a German adaptation of the Colombian series Yo Soy Betty, la Fea or the American series Ugly Betty. Needless to say, that show was an absolute sensation in France.

Though the characters “spoke” French, the show was set in Berlin, and as a 12-year-old, this was enough to make me want to learn the language.  

This experience has made me realise that French people, including myself, live in an alternate universe.

Because what if I told you that, for French audiences, most of the world’s most famous TV and movie characters actually speak with French voices?

For those of us who grew up in France, Rose and Jack from Titanic are fluent French speakers.

And Michael and Janet Kyle, the characters from My Wife and Kids, speak perfect French.

As a matter of fact, the first time I watched Home Alone (French title: Mum, I missed the plane) in its original language was only a couple of years ago.

The French soundtrack of Walt Disney’s The Lion King filled my childhood, but I only got around to hearing the original songs a few years ago. Rest assured, the melodies are the same in both languages, lol.

I’m sure you understand now that dubbing is an entire industry in France. Even Damon Wayans, the actor who plays Michael Kyle, acknowledged and complimented his character’s French voice.

So for anyone who wants to learn French, simply watch your favourite films or series in French. If you dig in through streaming websites, you’re likely to find their French-dubbed versions. And that is without AI, which many French voice actors speak against.

And let me end this nostalgic post by saying: I’m still not fluent in German.