MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - To speak or not to speak the local language when visiting other countries?

rebarnmom · 06-19-2009, 09:48 PM

Interesting question!

I so admire people that can speak multiple languages and am embarrassed that English is all I really know, despite 4 years of German in school (in hopes of someday going to Germany, Switzerland and Austria). I don't remember hardly any of it, since I never got a chance to use it.

I have some friends that go on missions trips to Mexico and Central America and they would set up time with a women born in Peru (fluent in both, but English is her second language) to learn and practice conversational Spanish with all of its more natural inflections, expressions and subtle nuances. I would certainly try to do the same if I had the opportunity.

I do recall hearing it said that if you go to France, don't speak the language unless you really know it well... that they would be offended with the misuse of their language. This was a long time ago. Sounds like it's no longer true, if it ever was true at all.

06-19-2009, 09:48 PM	#14
rebarnmom Wizard Posts: 1,289 Karma: 4525055 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: rural Illinois, USA Device: Sony PRS-700 (traded in), Sony PRS-650	Interesting question! I so admire people that can speak multiple languages and am embarrassed that English is all I really know, despite 4 years of German in school (in hopes of someday going to Germany, Switzerland and Austria). I don't remember hardly any of it, since I never got a chance to use it. I have some friends that go on missions trips to Mexico and Central America and they would set up time with a women born in Peru (fluent in both, but English is her second language) to learn and practice conversational Spanish with all of its more natural inflections, expressions and subtle nuances. I would certainly try to do the same if I had the opportunity. I do recall hearing it said that if you go to France, don't speak the language unless you really know it well... that they would be offended with the misuse of their language. This was a long time ago. Sounds like it's no longer true, if it ever was true at all.