The required info at contact is callsign and level.
But,even if you say what youre saying,and they reply the way they do,why don't you just reply with your callsign only?
You keep your RT book with you,or you fly with a cpt who has one,and bind you to it?
I find talking with french ATC pleasant,except of course the use of french language in terminal areas and on the a/p.Fortunately ,I do understand french,and manage to stay in the picture,but it's a bit dificult though,compared to english speaking only.