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WHY ARE BRITISH/ENGLISH PEOPLE SO BAD AT FOREIGN LANGUAGES

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

I recently heard a british/english couple trying to speak spanish, seriously they seemed to think by adding an O at the end of a word, it would somehow make it spanish, it was like something out of fawlty towers, anyone else had similar?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In a museum in France. I managed to mangle my way through the french language, but was followed by a big yorkshireman who's attempt at French was English said in a very strong Sheffield accent, very loudly and very slowly, with plenty of hand gestures.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I started spanish on monday and its amazing wot u ave to do with ur tongue

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Bet that confused those frenchies lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Bet that confused those frenchies lol "

Make an effort, and they'll help you out. Don't try to speak the lingo, and even if they know what you mean, they just play dumb.

My accent completely mauls the accent, but at least I've tried

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By *itchfieldMan
over a year ago

Portsmouth

Probably because unlike the Dutch we don't start teaching our kids foreign languages until their too old to learn a second language.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Probably because unlike the Dutch we don't start teaching our kids foreign languages until their too old to learn a second language. "

Very true thats why my daughters learning a language with me

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By *1dKingColeMan
over a year ago

east london

I thought everyone spoke English anyway??

Accept the American's who struggle with any language.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Vot u all saing ???

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Oh and i can hold me own in turkey ya know

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My boys could speak fluent welsh before they could speak english, the younger the better, kids adapt to languages quite easily

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Totally agree i grew up in Germany and Cyprus, forces kid, i learnt German and Greek fluently.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Oh and i can hold me own in turkey ya know "

Merhaba

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Bet you can pussygalore lol

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By *andKCouple
over a year ago

Norfolk

I spent 4 hours in a meeting in Russia speaking through interpreters then at the end when we were relaxed the Russian guy started speaking to me in excellent English I was both embarrassed and angry, embrassed that he had obviously understood everything I had said and angry at myself for being so lazy. By the time I left Russia, apart from hello/goodbye etc I could order a taxi (for the airport) order a beer and a pizza, I also thought I could order a steak but I always ended up with a pork chop! Alas 10 years later I struggle to say hello now but have to say its right if you do at least say hello in the local language you do seem to get a little more cooperation.

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By *riendlyfunfemWoman
over a year ago

A world of my own

We Brits certainly are very lazy when it comes to learning/trying another language. I have always bought a phrase book for the places I've visited to at least be able to say a few words and phrases. When I started spending most hols in the Greek Islands I decided to take a Greek language course as I wanted to be able to read and understand it as well as speak it.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Have found especially in the Greek islands their are 2 prices for everything, stupid tourist price and local price if you can speak even just alittle of the local language your not gonna be ripped off lol

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

One of the most backward European countries when it comes to speaking a second language, is it because the British are so arrogant that they think everyone should learn to speak English and save us the trouble of learning thiers?.

I cant speak a second language either (unless you count broad Scots)

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By *aughtyHubbyMan
over a year ago

Sunderland


"Probably because unlike the Dutch we don't start teaching our kids foreign languages until their too old to learn a second language. "

Very very true. On our first visit to Amsterdam we wandered into a Burger King (yes I know, typical dutch grub...) and we were greeted by a Chinese lad, who spoke to us in fluent English....ordered the meal via a microphone through to the prep area in fluent Dutch, took our money and spoke in fluent English, then turned to his mate and spoke in Chinese...all in the space of 30 seconds. But since that first trip I've learned a few Dutch words and can order a taxi....but the drivers tell me I speak Dutch with a Russian accent!!!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Never yet met a foreigner anywhere that didn't understand and speak almost queens English when you get yer wallet out....

They suddenly become fluent... nah bother man.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"We Brits certainly are very lazy when it comes to learning/trying another language. I have always bought a phrase book for the places I've visited to at least be able to say a few words and phrases. When I started spending most hols in the Greek Islands I decided to take a Greek language course as I wanted to be able to read and understand it as well as speak it."
"efgharasto"

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By *riendlyfunfemWoman
over a year ago

A world of my own

[Removed by poster at 24/09/09 21:06:55]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Probably because unlike the Dutch we don't start teaching our kids foreign languages until their too old to learn a second language. "

What's the point when everyone else speaks English anyway.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

.... plus all these bloody foreigners are quite happy to take our cash when we're abroad so how the fuck can they moan that we don't learn their lingo. How many languages do you need to speak fgs.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

who give a spanish fuck

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"One of the most backward European countries when it comes to speaking a second language, is it because the British are so arrogant that they think everyone should learn to speak English and save us the trouble of learning thiers?.

I cant speak a second language either (unless you count broad Scots)"

they might as well all learn english , cuz they all end up living here sponging off us !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

excuse me lol, not all English are like that, Im fluent in Spanish and you would not know if I were spanish or not, in fact people think Im from the South of Spain with accent to boot, oh ,and talk Catalan too so there...nah nah nah nah hehe. (Steve).

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By *oe_Steve_NWestCouple
over a year ago

Bolton

We're just really lazy as most people speak English, hell - most British people can't even speak or write their own language so they've got no chance with another one!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"excuse me lol, not all English are like that, Im fluent in Spanish and you would not know if I were spanish or not, in fact people think Im from the South of Spain with accent to boot, oh ,and talk Catalan too so there...nah nah nah nah hehe. (Steve)."

Handy in Asda that Catalan I bet lol...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Oh and i can hold me own in turkey ya know

Merhaba "

cok hywan

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

evet

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

ndeed..I get what i want in minutes lol.

Asdat?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Can get by ok in German...but France is a nightmare.....so I applied for a job in France this week...PMSL...wonder how long it'll take them to realise I can't speak their language??

Spent a lot of time in belguim as a teenager...they teach their kids english from age 6/7, I didn't get near a foreign language at school till I was 13!!!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Probably because unlike the Dutch we don't start teaching our kids foreign languages until their too old to learn a second language. "

it is not just the dutch I think the hole of europe learn other language in school and the Brits do not. I was 28 when I started to learn German you are never to old to learn a language just that the Brits are lazy to learn we think every one else should speak English

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By *icekatCouple
over a year ago

north east

my b/f was trying to speak french in a bar in france when the barman said please stop and speak english as I cant understand what you are saying

I can not speak much of any langauge but I can count to 6 in french and korean wow wow wow lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

we have visited portugal a few times over the years on our hols and i did try to learn some of the lingo plesantries ect

I did manage to learn to ask for the bill and a large pint of larger lol but thats about it

anything else just confused the hell out of me lol

but its nice to try and learn another language even if you do make a numpty out of yourself

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By *ricky_DickyMan
over a year ago

Mirfield


"We're just really lazy as most people speak English, hell - most British people can't even speak or write their own language so they've got no chance with another one!"

I quite agree, but why are so many Brits struggling with the English language, have they stopped teaching it in school? or is it the kids not paying attention if they bother to turn up for school?

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By *ouvakMan
over a year ago

clacton on sea


"Oh and i can hold me own in turkey ya know "
bet you can hold your own in any country lol

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By *ouvakMan
over a year ago

clacton on sea


"We're just really lazy as most people speak English, hell - most British people can't even speak or write their own language so they've got no chance with another one!

I quite agree, but why are so many Brits struggling with the English language, have they stopped teaching it in school? or is it the kids not paying attention if they bother to turn up for school?"

all langauges not only english end up becoming bastardised by each of the newer generations, words that were common to the english language 200 years ago are no longer used, and the same goes for every language,learning a new language is as others have said easier as a younger person, because they haven't as yet been idiosised by their own, and if you go to any other country you'll find that for every language taught at a particular school they have a national from that country to teach it, unlike here in the uk ( unless it's urdue,hindi,checq,polish)

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead


"I thought everyone spoke English anyway??

Accept the American's who struggle with any language.

"

you mean Except...

ooooh... as an american who dabbles in a bit of french, german and spanish.. i was almost offended...

seriously though... the problem is that we dabble in languages way too late at 11, most other european countries start at 5 or 7.... so therefore they have a few years head start...

also the fact that languages are not complusary anymore hasn't help....

there are great podcasts out there even to learn the basics of languages.. and it doesn't take a lot to embrace the cultures

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There are many of us who speak multiple languages who are English. If you go into parts of Spain and France that are off the beaten track there language skills are less prominent. You also need to look towards the Welsh as they are bilingual in schools. Puts the rest of the UK to shame.

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By *uton_coupleCouple
over a year ago

luton

its not true that the english are any worse than other nationalitys at speaking foreign languages

when ive been in germany , turkey , china , north africa etc etc , no one there readily jumped up and spoke in english

the reason why some think that is the case is because you can understand the poor sod that is trying talk spanish by adding an o on the end as they try to find the time of the next train to barcelona, and yes they sound a complete twat

but you dont understand one word of german or chinese when they are struggling to comunicate wether they be adding an o on the end or taking it off

we live in salou spain and on a daily basis have to talk in spanish in the bank , hardware store ,supermarket , juntamiento etc etc because no one here ( with very very few exeptions )speak english

and believe it or not when you go inland up in the hills the locals there only speak catalan and do not understand my pidgeon spanish

the reason for that is fidel castro forced them to speak spanish and outlawed talking in catalan , and now they are free from that tyrany refuse to talk any spanish wether they can understand it or not

the spanish tv proggrames here have catalan subtittles to help those spanish folk here that cant talk spanish !

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By *ricky_DickyMan
over a year ago

Mirfield

I thought Fidel Castro was Cuban, could it have been General Franco that you mean?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"evet "

Evet evet evet

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

cos we conquered one third of the world and now under the yanks its all gone to pot - should never have left them to it lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

merhaba peaches,

nasaliniz?senin turkce cok guzel.nasil turkce billiyour?

kendini iyi bak

xxx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i dont think all brits are lazy at learning a language and i understand that if learning a language its better to do when younger and not 11 etc.however i speak 4 languages and i learnt them when i was 19-20.My hubby speak 6 languages and both of us never learned in school just through sheer persistence.

Its good to learn new things xxx

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By *ig badMan
over a year ago

Up North :-)

Half the UK speak Gujarati, Hindu, Urdu, Swahili and shit knows what else. Multicultural Britain it is these days innit?

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By *ig badMan
over a year ago

Up North :-)

Whats wrong with scouse, geooooooordie, brummie, cockney and jock????

Cant understand non of em!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I recently heard a british/english couple trying to speak spanish, seriously they seemed to think by adding an O at the end of a word, it would somehow make it spanish, it was like something out of fawlty towers, anyone else had similar?"

Gotta admit though...it is funny especially when they put on a strange kind of accent as well.

I think the reason why British/English people are behind when it comes to foreign languages is because the rest of the world has adopted English either as their mother tongue, or as their second language.So it kind of isolates us in that if everyone can speak English...why should we bother learning another language, sadly its made us kind of lazy..and that is to our detriment, Ive had the pleasure of living and travelling to many countries around the world, and a majority of people i met could speak 2 or more languages...so i learnt to swear in about 15 languages..lol, its the first thing i learn when i go away..lol

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By *emmefataleWoman
over a year ago

dirtybigbadsgirlville


"I recently heard a british/english couple trying to speak spanish, seriously they seemed to think by adding an O at the end of a word, it would somehow make it spanish, it was like something out of fawlty towers, anyone else had similar?

Gotta admit though...it is funny especially when they put on a strange kind of accent as well.

I think the reason why British/English people are behind when it comes to foreign languages is because the rest of the world has adopted English either as their mother tongue, or as their second language.So it kind of isolates us in that if everyone can speak English...why should we bother learning another language, sadly its made us kind of lazy..and that is to our detriment, Ive had the pleasure of living and travelling to many countries around the world, and a majority of people i met could speak 2 or more languages...so i learnt to swear in about 15 languages..lol, its the first thing i learn when i go away..lol"
i think you will find that the rest of the world has bastardised our beautiful language isms here isms there!!!

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By *uton_coupleCouple
over a year ago

luton

yes it was Castro , my mistake

i was in my front garden in luton last year , and a passer by sauntered over and said to me " do you speak english "

i said yes and he then asked directions to the library or somewhere

he went on to say that walking up dallow road i was the 8th person he had spoke to without finding an english speaker

its his own fault as he should knuckle down and learn russian , polish , urdu , or somalian

he then might find his way around the leafy united kingdom more easily

going back to other nations being able to talk other languages , i remember some years back a speaker at the african congress , as an experiment started talking in swahili , the national language of africa , and was amused to see ninety percent of the audiance rushing to put on there headphones to hear the speech in there local dialect , as they never understood there own national language

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

Anyone remember a few yrs back the teacher in a Glasgow school that the parents were trying to get sacked because she could not speak Urdu?

I think it was around the Pollockshaws area and was something like 80% ASian pupils.

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By *ATURISTASCouple
over a year ago

BENIDORM

No te preocupes, se feliz !!

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