Have you bothered to learn?

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4th April 2008, 07:59am
#21
by NM Reb
Lisbon Portugal
Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 4042

When I listen to George Bush speak I shudder. Its really sad that I hear many foreign leaders speaking better English than the US president even when their first language is not English. I have known town drunks that speak better English.


4th April 2008, 08:51am
#22
by maxwestman
London United Kingdom
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 6
Being from Sweden and living in London I speak those languages fluently. I'm sort of working on German since I'll probably move there next year. Just came home from a trip to Berlin and did okey so hopefully it'll be even better.
5th April 2008, 06:54am
#23
by CAJUNBOY
England
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 2716

sad to say but i only speak English. i would to learn another lanugage but not your usual French or German, no somthing like Thai maybe!


5th April 2008, 07:04am
#24
by Klunk
Bristol United Kingdom
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 104
I speak English obviously, a decent amount of French and basic Spanish. I am also studying Latin and ancient Greek.
6th April 2008, 10:48am
#25
by Queenie
London House United Kingdom
Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 1813
petershaby wrote: I speeke an rite flewintly in allmowst evry languidge

 Ha, Ha, lol, 


6th April 2008, 10:54am
#26
by Queenie
London House United Kingdom
Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 1813
I know we would lose something by all speaking the same language, but don't we miss out on each other by not all speaking the same. Puzzle eh? I really admire those people who do learn other language's. I think a second language should be taught as soon children start school at the age of 5 yrs, then by the time the children were 6 or 7 years old they would be ready to learn another. and so and so on. By the time they leave they could have four or five language's learnt. 
6th April 2008, 11:04am
#27
by Frapplo
The Moon, Denver United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 62

I tried to learn, but my mind isn't wired for it.  I just can't seem to get the whole "habla, hablamos" thing down.  I don't even know what changing the word to suit the tense is called anymore!  I'm a poor, poor student! 

 I do admire those who can spout other languages without even trying, though.  


6th April 2008, 11:15am
#28
by God2
Malaysia
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 1082
my english is very weak untill there are some member here miss understanding my meaning.so i not brother to learn english.hope all of u help me improve,thanks
6th April 2008, 11:59am
#29
by M4t3J
Radovljica Slovenia
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 98
mrsoccerchessman wrote:

Yeah, I speak American-English which is pretty cool cause you ain't got to gots the bestest type of grammer when ya speak. LOL, it's pretty fun

 

I also like how people from other countries speak English better than those raised with the English language.  The reason being is because they take it more serious and it doesn't help when an American grows up around people speaking slang English and incorrect grammar in their words.

 

I love you all who are not American.

 

I also am taking Latin.  So that makes it easier for me to comprehend words from other countries.  Latin is the root of all languages.  And it's not dead, a new word has been made recently. 


 u to? im studying latin! anyway my other languages are slovenian(1st) then english,german,french,japanese,heck i understand even a bit of chinese...


6th April 2008, 12:12pm
#30
by last_file
United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 242

English and Spanish fluently

Some French and Italian


13th April 2008, 07:22am
#31
by EnGliSHCheSsPlAy
Italy Italy
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 791
Italian, English and French
23rd April 2008, 08:11am
#32
by qtsii
Machiavelli United States
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 4501
English and Spanish (not fluent)
23rd April 2008, 08:18am
#33
by dvandegraaf
Pittsburgh United States
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 18

Dutch and English (fluent)
German (close to fluent)
French (well enough to order my food to keep me alive Smile)


23rd April 2008, 08:19am
#34
by Achterberg
Amsterdam Netherlands
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 66
Chesser777 wrote: Dutch, German, French, English

hehe, same here.


23rd April 2008, 08:43am
#35
by saryataha
Syria
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 47
i know arabic english and french and currently i am learning german and i can understand written spanish a bit
23rd April 2008, 09:15am
#36
by MM78
Ireland
Member Since: Nov 2007
Member Points: 3114

English, Irish, American (!), French.  Can read a fair bit of Spanish and did Latin at school.

 

P.s. sorry to be pedantic but there's no apostrophe in "languages" Wink


23rd April 2008, 09:40am
#37
by eternal21
New Jersey Poland
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 399

English is my second language, but I speak it fluently.  I'd be perfectly content knowing only English - as it is the lingua franca of today's world.

I don't blame the native English speakers for not bothering to learn a foreign language.  English is all you need.  I'd much rather spend my time learning something useful, like playing an instrument. 


23rd April 2008, 09:43am
#38
by Creg
Belle Mead, NJ United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 225

It has already been mentioned on this thread that learning multiple languages in America is a generation issue. It is important to understand that for a country as large as America where everyone spoke the same language freely from state to state, there was really no need to learn other languages. Not until the world finally appeared smaller or closer has it become more important to learn other languages.

 

For me growing up in the 70's my elders did not see a need to teach other lanuages so today I struggle to learn just one other and that is Spanish. However, those of us from that generation on see the mistake of our parents and are teaching future generations to speak other languages. It will take a generation or two but it will happen. 

 

Linguist experts say that if you do not learn a second language by the age of 7 it is then generally difficult, but not impossible, to learn another language as you get older. There are multiple reasons for this but one obvious point is time (adults need to work) and the need to practice/immerse yourself in the language of choice with others. Not exactly easy to come by when those around you and of the same age are in the same boat.

 

More and more American adults are making the time though as many top selling books and learning CD'S/DVD's are growing in the market place, and as mentioned second languages are being introduced to our young...finally. 


23rd April 2008, 10:00am
#39
by skwirlguts
Florida United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 301
i dont get exposed to other langs so cant really learn them
23rd April 2008, 10:23am
#40
by frankiek
New Zealand
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 262
Latin French Maori Somali Oromo and English...

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