Language Joke- My daughter told me this (she transcribes French and Hebrew for the USN)

What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages?-

Bilingual

What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages?-

Trilingual

What do you call someone who speaks more than 3 languages?-

Multilingual

What do you call someone who speaks only 1 language?-

American

Suppose you could say the same about us British. I always feel ignorant when on holiday !

that one is soo oold..but soo true..

Quote: "Mark240590"​Suppose you could say the same about us British. I always feel ignorant when on holiday !

​It's generally not a problem though Mark, if the locals don't understand us, we just say the same thing, only slower and louder! haha!

Its true

also about france people, they mostley speak one language until 10 years ago. My genaration (19years) all speak English and France. But we the Dutch speak multi languages for century's (starting with German English and French.)

It's harder for people on island countries like New Zealand, Australia, UK, etc to speak a second language because we're just not immersed in foreign languages. You need to make a conscious decision to learn a language, and they're not usually taught until secondary school, and we all know the best time to learn a second language is when you're a young child.

Quote: "neilithic"​It's harder for people on island countries like New Zealand, Australia, UK, etc to speak a second language because we're just not immersed in foreign languages. You need to make a conscious decision to learn a language, and they're not usually taught until secondary school, and we all know the best time to learn a second language is when you're a young child.

​it's the same problem in the us, and most of Canada too actually. I would love to speak Spanish but there is no one to learn from or practice with. My wife majored in Spanish but is far out of practice because there just no one to speak with. But you must realize that you can drive 1000 miles and still talk to anyone in your own language, you can't really do that anywhere else.

Secondary school?! Wow.

Here, kids are taught English at last year (and only one obligatory) of kidergarten. That is at the age of five. I was last generation that started in third year of school - at age of 9...

Gymnasium or non-technically oriented secondary school means start of learning of second foreign language. At the gymnasium, you can also be taught basics of latin.

I had to learn basic German and read Polish on university, so that would be my 4th and 5th foreign language.

But besides English, Russian is only one of them I can handle.

Quote: "radrick007"​

Quote: "Mark240590"​Suppose you could say the same about us British. I always feel ignorant when on holiday !

​​It's generally not a problem though Mark, if the locals don't understand us, we just say the same thing, only slower and louder! haha!

​Brits on Tour Rule #288.5.

If Johhny Foreigner fails to understand your quite reasonable demands, add an "O" to the endo of eacho wordo.

Quote: "redsmithstudios"​​it's the same problem in the us, and most of Canada too actually. I would love to speak Spanish but there is no one to learn from or practice with. My wife majored in Spanish but is far out of practice because there just no one to speak with. But you must realize that you can drive 1000 miles and still talk to anyone in your own language, you can't really do that anywhere else.

Well, I believe there's quite a lot of ppl in the US who speaks Spanish, and Mexico isn't too far away, so that should really be a big problem. Just post an advertiser and you'll probably get a few responses.

LOL. Look at the ad I had while looking at the thread. Google is watching you!

Quote: "redsmithstudios"​

Quote: "neilithic"​It's harder for people on island countries like New Zealand, Australia, UK, etc to speak a second language because we're just not immersed in foreign languages. You need to make a conscious decision to learn a language, and they're not usually taught until secondary school, and we all know the best time to learn a second language is when you're a young child.

​​it's the same problem in the us, and most of Canada too actually. I would love to speak Spanish but there is no one to learn from or practice with. My wife majored in Spanish but is far out of practice because there just no one to speak with. But you must realize that you can drive 1000 miles and still talk to anyone in your own language, you can't really do that anywhere else.

​
I'm not sure I would totally agree with that. It depends on the demographic. A fairly significant proportion of the white population not including Quebec (and especially out west) probably can only speak one language. But on the other hand, just the sheer diversity of canada with so many people with more recent heritage from Asia, Europe, Africa and South America; those peoples would likely speak 2 or more languages. I imagine 40% of the population that way (and including quebec) would be atleast bilingual

From my experience, it is almost expected for people in India to speak fluently in atleast 2 languages and very commonplace for a significant proportion of the population to speak 3-4 or more languages.

Quote: "Jarcek"​Secondary school?! Wow.
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​Here, kids are taught English at last year (and only one obligatory) of kidergarten. That is at the age of five. I was last generation that started in third year of school - at age of 9...

​That's probably because English is the most universally spoken language and also the language most spoken in business so other countries often teach it early if it's not a native language.

The thing that surprised me was people's reacting if an English speaker does attempt to learn a language. My brother was going on his OE (overseas experience) and made an effort to attempt to learn French and Italian. He got to France and tried his French at the first opportunity and the Frenchman turned to him with derision and said in English "you can't speak our language...don't even F.....g try" He got that response all over Paris.

Quote: "nthn"​LOL. Look at the ad I had while looking at the thread. Google is watching you!
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​hahaha!! that's awesome!

I have to admit that I'm secretly in awe of people who are multi-lingual. I reckon in the modern world we can all crank up google translate and communicate in a far from perfect manner but outside of the English speaking nations it's quite amazing to me how many people are entirely comfortable using a langiuage which is not their mother tongue. Almost every Scandanavian I know speaks perfect English, so good in fact that I have to remind myself that they are actually speaking a second language.

Speaking as someone who as never been particulary gifted in this regard I also appreciate it very much. Trust me, if the conversation was dependent on my language skills it would be a quite painful but short experience.

So to all our non English contributors, I'd say thank you for your courtesy. For those who are less than fluent but give it a good try anyway, thank you for the clear effort you make.

With full submersion, it only takes a year or two to learn a new language. You might not ever reach the fluency of a native speaker, but you'll have a solid grasp and be able to communicate effectively.

Quotefrom Phil..<<Trust me, if the conversation was dependent on my language skills it would be a quite painful but short experience.>>

Phil, I've said that numerous times to people who said to me "sorry my English isn't very good"! My answer has always been "are you serious? We are having a conversation in English! We definitely can NOT have a conversation in (whatever is their home language)..."

The most spoken language in the world is Chinese, with 1.2 billion people speaking it. Then there are Spanish (329 million), English (328 million) and Arabic (221 million). The important thing is to differentiate between mumble a language (dame hamburguesa por please) and speak it correctly (¿Me harías el favor de servirme una hamburguesa? (By the way, sorry for my English)