I'm interested in finding resources on this to see if I can write something for a class about the Occupation on language contact during the period.
Did the French resist using German? I know it was fairly common to study it in French schools before the war (and after there have been treaties between France and Germany that explicitly state they will continue to teach it as part of good relations).
Did German soldiers speak mostly French? I know there was a strong push to sort of placate the French population and give a sense of normalcy, but also a very strong presence/huge changes to daily life.
Very curious to hear any related thoughts as well, or if you know of a book or other resource I should check out on this. (My French is solid enough to read in, but no German)
There are actually two answers because France occupation was not the same in the North as in the East or as in the West. The main difference is between the East (particularly the région of Alsace and the département of Moselle in the région of Lorraine, Elsaß and Lothringen in German) and the rest of France. Alsace and Lorraine were considered as "German territories" and were annexed by the Reich in 1940 (the battle to get these territories also happened during the 1871 war and WWI). Therefore, the people living there became German citizens (even if they did not want to) according to certain laws (no Jewish, no foreigners or "newly French", no Francophile...). And of course, if you are considered a German citizen, why speaking French? Everything in French language was deleted (signs, administration...), and for example priests had to preach in German (and many were arrested for refusing). Those who were considered "too French" were expulsed or arrested (some were sent to special camps to be educated in order to become "good Germans"). So Yes, the German language was a to-do in the annexed territories.
But not in the rest of France. Though, to encourage collaboration, many language courses were proposed. And signs were changed to German. You can find a lot of pictures with German signs in big cities during WW2, such as Paris.
For a general study on Occupation: Henri Amouroux, La Vie des Français sous l'Occupation, 2 Tomes, Paris, Le Livre de Poche, 1961 et 1971. For a study on Alsace: Bernard et Gérard Le Marec, L'Alsace dans la guerre 1939-1945, Alsatia,2000.