Foreign Languages

[DaGaffer]

I think it's fine if you're strictly UK orientated, but in a larger and more global playing field I feel slightly uneducated next to the guys that have multiple languages.

I only feel like that when everyone starts jabbering away in their own languages when you're in a meeting (which I think is a bit rude tbh); but in general terms I've never found it to be a real problem; I've worked for a German company in the past and they even spoke English in the office back at Deutch HQ.

The problem if you're a native English speaker is picking a useful language in the first place; the default choice when I was at school (back when woad was fashionable) was French, which is pretty useless as a business language. Ditto German (because Germans always speak better English than you). Spanish is spoken widely but not in countries with any money (ditto Portugese), so they're out. Dutch and Scandanavian languages - see Germany. Polish only became useful about three years ago. Russian was only useful if you were going to be a spy (although its quite a cool language to listen to). Japanese - too hard; Chinese - too dialect dependent, and the Chinese won't talk to Gwai Los in their own language anyway. Indian languages, too much local competition, which leaves Arabic, Bahasa and Farsi, as every other language is too piddly to bother with. Arabic and Farsi are only useful until the oil runs out, so that leaves Bahasa. Teeds, how do you order a beer in Indonesian?

 

[FuzzyLogic]

I think the normal way is to speak slowly and loudly while making large circular motions with your arms...right?

 

[Scouse]

I feel slightly uneducated next to the guys that have multiple languages.

I feel genuine shame. I shouldn't, but I do

However:

The problem if you're a native English speaker is picking a useful language in the first place; the default choice when I was at school (back when woad was fashionable) was French, which is pretty useless as a business language. Ditto German (because Germans always speak better English than you). Spanish is spoken widely but not in countries with any money (ditto Portugese), so they're out. Dutch and Scandanavian languages - see Germany. Polish only became useful about three years ago. Russian was only useful if you were going to be a spy (although its quite a cool language to listen to). Japanese - too hard; Chinese - too dialect dependent, and the Chinese won't talk to Gwai Los in their own language anyway. Indian languages, too much local competition, which leaves Arabic, Bahasa and Farsi, as every other language is too piddly to bother with. Arabic and Farsi are only useful until the oil runs out, so that leaves Bahasa. Teeds, how do you order a beer in Indonesian?

This is bang on. I think I'd like to speak Spanish because if I piss off travelling I think it'll be the most useful.

However, what ECA said about Japanese has turned my head. I've always thought it'd be pretty cool to speak it. Fuck writing

 

[- English -]

Currently in the process of learning Danish here. My native is English but i moved to Denmark before xmas to be with my gf knowing no Danish, and I can say its comming on slowly, but theres still alot I dont have a clue about. If they write it down or speak slowly I can often work it out, although its quite easy as they speak very good English ;P

 

[00dave]

while we're on the subject of launguage, what is the point in Welsh?

 

[Scouse]

while we're on the subject of launguage, what is the point in Welsh?

I'd say it's a tool used for communication between Welsh-speaking people

However, I'll humour it. If we're going down that route, what is the point of any language other than English?

 

[Wonk]

Currently in the process of learning Danish here. My native is English but i moved to Denmark before xmas to be with my gf knowing no Danish, and I can say its comming on slowly, but theres still alot I dont have a clue about. If they write it down or speak slowly I can often work it out, although its quite easy as they speak very good English ;P

You got to love the accent then

 

[- English -]

You got to love the accent then

haha well my gf had a lancashire accent already ;D

 

[Wonk]

I'm flirting with a costa rican lady these days, who has lived here for a year. She writes danish decently, however she can't for the love of god say anything that sounds remotely like it should

 

[Helme]

Swedish: Native
English: As good as can be I guess.
Norwegian/Danish: I understand 90% of what they say, pretty much 100% of written text but I can't speak back(no real point in learning since they understand me).

I did do 3 years of Spanish in school but fuck me if I can remember more than introducing myself. German text is also fairly easy to understand as it's very similar to English and Swedish in alot of cases.

 

[mr.Blacky]

The British beat themselves up too much about not being able to speak foreign languages; I live in a country where most people can't speak their own language. (Not that I don't get great pleasure in reminding them of that fact. Cultural Imperialism FTW!)

but according to some reports they are better in English then the English and don't forget according to the Irish Cromwell killed half the population.

What I just cant get my head around is people asking "how is it going" and not expecting an answer.. if you want just to say hello say just hello!

Language wise speak Dutch English and understand German.

 

[pez]

I think Bahasa Indonesian is supposed to be one of the easiest languages in the world because it was invented, recently, to unite a multilingual country in an easily understood language.

Kind of like Esperanto, except people use it.

 

[00dave]

I'd say it's a tool used for communication between Welsh-speaking people

Considering that just about all Welsh people speak English but not all speak Welsh I'd say your sarcasm was unjustified.

 

[Yoni]

for me, going to the country and speaking it. I've never been able to learn a language in school and always had low grades for tests :/

I think you underestimate your abilities... you forget you speak Dutch and English and iirc Indonesian

For me:
English... excellent
Dutch.... B2 level
French... basic conversation
Swedish.... basic pleasantries
Spanish.....very basic pleasantries

 

[TdC]

Teeds, how do you order a beer in Indonesian?

no idea, I was 9 when I left the country still, listening to those ladies speak, I actually got quite a few words.

I think Bahasa Indonesian is supposed to be one of the easiest languages in the world because it was invented, recently, to unite a multilingual country in an easily understood language.

I didn't know that. BI is like the Queen's English I suppose, everyone knows it, nobody speaks it. There are a million million dialects in Indonesia. Our local one was a variant of Acehenese.

I think you underestimate your abilities... you forget you speak Dutch and English and iirc Indonesian

correct, but my point was that I learned all of that on location, not in school.

 

[Milkshake]

Spent some time in Malaysia and began to learn the language - until I realised that a great deal of the people in the restaurants and bars I frequented were either Chinese or Indian immigrants and couldn't speak a word of it! Bah!

 

[Deebs]

Unfortunately I only speak and understand English. The one language I wish I could speak is of course Italian but due to Dad working his arse off when we were younger he found it easier to speak to us kids in English.

 

[Scouse]

Considering that just about all Welsh people speak English but not all speak Welsh I'd say your sarcasm was unjustified.

Ahh :wub 00dave:

It's a dying language isn't it. That's the point. It used to be the only language they speak but now they all speak English.

There was an article I read a couple of years ago in the papers about the old French president (Mitterand? (sp?)) walking out on a EU meeting about France for 24 hours because it was conducted in English.

He was trying to make the point that if meetings about France were being made in English then there's a long-term threat to the language. This is true in the case of many languages IMHO.

Increasing globalisation means increasing homogenisation. The Welsh language is an example of this. Shame really

 

[DaGaffer]

Actually Welsh language uptake is on the rise. More people speak it now than when I was learning it as a child (I can remember about two words). This is in stark contrast to Irish where despite it being compulsory up to 16, hardly anyone speaks it (they reckon about 20,000 speak it as a first language in the Gaeltacht). I find this particularly interesting given Ireland has such as strong sense of national identity and I put it down to one reason, its too fucking hard!

Welsh is much easier to learn; principally because when Welsh was reinvented in the 19th century (yes, modern Welsh is largely invented) they phoneticised the whole thing and simplified the tenses, making it pretty easy for an English speaker to pick up (certainly no harder than Spanish or French). The Irish went through the same exercise and made it more obscure, not less, and have paid the price. (Another personal irony is that if we have a daughter we'll be giving her an Irish name, which she, and us, will spend her entire life explaining to English people).

 

[MrHorus]

Unfortunately I only speak and understand English. The one language I wish I could speak is of course Italian but due to Dad working his arse off when we were younger he found it easier to speak to us kids in English.

It's not that difficult a language to pick up.

You should look and see if any of the local colleges or anything run night classes in foreign languages - they generally aren't too expensive.

 

[Scouse]

Welsh is much easier to learn; principally because when Welsh was reinvented in the 19th century (yes, modern Welsh is largely invented) they phoneticised the whole thing and simplified the tenses, making it pretty easy for an English speaker to pick up

I'd better revise my statement then: The Welsh language is already dead

 

[sayward]

Used to be fluent in French and Spanish but lack of use has taken its toll. Was pretty good at Italian until I had to learn Spanish, I find it very difficult to run the two. It's far easier to learn a language if you live in the country.

 

[Vasconcelos]

Used to be fluent in French and Spanish but lack of use has taken its toll. Was pretty good at Italian until I had to learn Spanish, I find it very difficult to run the two. It's far easier to learn a language if you live in the country.

Odd, as theyr kinda the same language. Being native in spanish I have few preoblems understanding a native italian unless we both start speaking with a lot of slang or weird regional accents.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

I only really speak English, with a tiny amount of French.

As I get older I get increasingly frustrated with the way I was taught languages at school. I did 5 years of French, up to 'O' level, and hated it. It was entirely taught to pass exams and far too much emphasis was put on written rather than spoken use.

During those 5 years I twice did the French Exchange. Against all odds I really loved this. Finding that I could actually make my self understood, and that I could understand what was being said to me was a revelation. My grammar was very poor, and virtually everything I said was in the present tense, but the locals were happy I was making an effort, and I had quite a good memory for vocab. I found I actually enjoyed speaking it.

It is a real shame that schools cannot teach this aspect of language, and give kids a more useful life skill.

RB

 

[tierk]

Out of interest, what methods has anyone here found to be best in learning a new language?

Get a girlfriend from the countries language you wanna learn.

 

[Ctuchik]

Basic Spanish. (and I do mean basic).

you mean something like "gimme a beer!" and "gimme more beer!"?