What other languages do you speak?
Nov 3rd 2013, 6:09 pm
#16
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
There is no need to feel inferior because one doesn't speak another language, however, to learn Mandarin for example is a great opportunity to broaden ones usually very limited horizon. To have access to such a different, ancient, interesting cuture is definitely worth the effort.
Nov 3rd 2013, 9:02 pm
#17
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
I work in a health clinic in Auckland and I would be better placed learning - Japanese; Korean; Samoan; Tongan; French etc. Occasionally we get a person from China. I have learnt a few key sentences in a variety of languages and try to learn some more each time I meet someone who speaks a different language. I find that this is really appreciated by everyone, plus it allows me to grow my language skills.
I am also able to speak conversational Norwegian, but is not used very much here
I am also able to speak conversational Norwegian, but is not used very much here
Nov 3rd 2013, 10:27 pm
#18
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
Welsh= 1st language
English= Fluent (stating the obvious a bit, I know.)
French= Pretty much fluent, but could always improve.
English= Fluent (stating the obvious a bit, I know.)
French= Pretty much fluent, but could always improve.
Nov 4th 2013, 5:34 am
#19
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Joined: Jul 2013
Location: durham, durham, England
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
Hola. Yo hablo a espanol, pero solo un poco. 
Nov 4th 2013, 5:57 am
#20
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
Having lived in Auckland when we first arrived and recently visited, I did not at all feel there was heaps of Asians languages being spoken, unless you frequented shops/restaurants that had a predominantly Asian clientele.
Regardless, if you are feeling inferior have you tried learning simple greetings with will help you communicate with your fellow Aucklanders? A little bit can go a long way.
http://www.standardmandarin.com/chinese-phrases
Is a good place to start. Assuming they are speaking Mandarin, but you get the drift.
I really think having at least another language is a fantastic skill to have, but would stop short of saying it should be compulsory in schools, I can't imagine getting language teachers out into the remoter rural schools for example. The best way is to immerse yourself in the language you would wish to learn.
I can speak conversational Swedish and know all the swear words in Finnish.
Regardless, if you are feeling inferior have you tried learning simple greetings with will help you communicate with your fellow Aucklanders? A little bit can go a long way.
http://www.standardmandarin.com/chinese-phrases
Is a good place to start. Assuming they are speaking Mandarin, but you get the drift.
I really think having at least another language is a fantastic skill to have, but would stop short of saying it should be compulsory in schools, I can't imagine getting language teachers out into the remoter rural schools for example. The best way is to immerse yourself in the language you would wish to learn.
I can speak conversational Swedish and know all the swear words in Finnish.
Last edited by shocked kiwi; Nov 4th 2013 at 6:10 am.
Nov 4th 2013, 4:24 pm
#21
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
Yo tambien [I think!]
I did French at school and can get by but it takes me a couple of days to get into it. I had to speak French in Quebec recently and we coped, sort of!
I can speak a few words of various languages, picked up on my travels- some useful, some not.
If I go anywhere I try and learn the basics as a minimum-please, thank you, goodbye, I can't speak xxxx, Do you speak English etc. I think that's only polite rather than just expect everyone else to speak my language.
I've also got an O level in Latin- unusual for someone who went to a comp in the NE of England! It's not much use when travelling though
I did French at school and can get by but it takes me a couple of days to get into it. I had to speak French in Quebec recently and we coped, sort of!
I can speak a few words of various languages, picked up on my travels- some useful, some not.
If I go anywhere I try and learn the basics as a minimum-please, thank you, goodbye, I can't speak xxxx, Do you speak English etc. I think that's only polite rather than just expect everyone else to speak my language.
I've also got an O level in Latin- unusual for someone who went to a comp in the NE of England! It's not much use when travelling though
Nov 4th 2013, 5:40 pm
#22
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
I only know french - I can read it and make rather hopeless conversation. It does amuse me to have people at work who are 'francophiles' though - they go on long vacations there and spend time learning the language. For me it would be a Chinese language first, then probably Hindi. I'd also have a go at Spanish.
Growing up in the UK, which I do believe is a multi-cultural society and melting pot, I do love hearing the multitude of languages that are spoken around here on the North Shore.
Growing up in the UK, which I do believe is a multi-cultural society and melting pot, I do love hearing the multitude of languages that are spoken around here on the North Shore.
Nov 5th 2013, 9:14 pm
#23
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
I can get buy with French, sometimes German and Spanish as well but very limited
I'm now learning Mandarin and Russian for some reason. Make use of the small spare time I have these days
I'm now learning Mandarin and Russian for some reason. Make use of the small spare time I have these days
Nov 5th 2013, 10:15 pm
#24
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
I speak Franglais, and I recently completed an introductory course in Te Reo.
I know languages at school are taught primarily for commercial and economic reasons but i think it is hugely important to keep alive the 'indigenous' languages too, just like Gaelic in Ireland. No language, no culture.
I know languages at school are taught primarily for commercial and economic reasons but i think it is hugely important to keep alive the 'indigenous' languages too, just like Gaelic in Ireland. No language, no culture.
Nov 6th 2013, 12:07 am
#25
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,612
Re: What other languages do you speak?
My Mum taught me gaelic as a child . These days I can only count to 10 and remember odd random words and phrases.
Nov 6th 2013, 2:13 am
#26
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
I speak the odd bit of French & German, a smattering of Japanese, 2 words of Russian, I'm reasonably good at English but am fluent in talking utter b*ll*cks 
Nov 6th 2013, 5:28 am
#27
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
Nov 6th 2013, 7:35 am
#28
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
maybe on the wrong side of the tracks???
Nov 8th 2013, 7:27 am
#30
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Re: What other languages do you speak?
my family speak French as we lived there for 8 years prior to coming here and my daughter took French as an option to get some easy credits but was external course via computer link, very badly organised and she spoke better French than the tutor but she got some easy points and taught fellow student too. local college offers Japanese which is quite useful and Maori (no comment)
