Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
#46
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,579
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by Bob
forms of it at least...
#47
Re: Should foreigner's be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by Bob
Well the offical language was almost German back in the day, only lost the vote by a couple votes
Having pointed that out I'd also like to ask - why should people coming here learn to speak English when the President hasn't even bothered?
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by Bob
forms of it at least...
#49
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by ImHere
Well like American is a form of English I suppose.
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by Bob
yeah, but we can understand them...depending on the spanish, can be quite different, well my mate had real trouble with it in Equador
Ever tried talking to someone from deepest darkest Alabama?
#51
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by ImHere
Well? Could you?
#52
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by ImHere
Ever tried talking to someone from deepest darkest Alabama?
Yup, fair point... *lol*
#53
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,579
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by ImHere
(Cuarto de) Banos = Bathroom
Servicios = (Toilet) services AKA the Bog.
Tocador = Toilet.
Servicios = (Toilet) services AKA the Bog.
Tocador = Toilet.
#54
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by anotherlimey
This shows differences in a language. Apparently 'servicios' is not acceptable in my fiancee's version of Spanish (Dominican).
NC Penguin
#55
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,579
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by NC Penguin
Just like English, there are regional versions of Spanish spoken in Latin America. This is probably why there is more than one word for toilet in Spanish.
NC Penguin
NC Penguin
...the two girls in question walked into a pub on a particularly windy day, both were wearing skirts so they were using their hands to keep them from blowing around. After making it through the entrance one said to the other "I really wish I'd worn pants today", at which point every Englishman in the room looked round.
#56
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Done some French at school but always wanted to learn German. I think it is an asset to speak another language.
#57
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by tony126
Done some French at school but always wanted to learn German. I think it is an asset to speak another language.
I'm terrible with languages, have given a few a go, but lack the knack...
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by Bob
easier said than done though
I'm terrible with languages, have given a few a go, but lack the knack...
I'm terrible with languages, have given a few a go, but lack the knack...
#59
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by Bob
easier said than done though
I'm terrible with languages, have given a few a go, but lack the knack...
I'm terrible with languages, have given a few a go, but lack the knack...
Ive had this argumenrt with language teacher in the past. When we learn our first language as a child we just point and say words then we slowly learn to construct sentences by mimicking what we hear. We dont give a shit about nouns, pronouns, verb conjugation et al until way after we can actually speak a language pretty well...even then most adults go through life without knowing what a bloody pronoun is! Yet when we try to learn a second language we do it all back to front...hundreds of verb tables and grammatical contructs we havent a hope of remembering. No wonder we struggle! Best way to learn is to mix with native speakers and go for the "Point and speak" method. Trust me its a whole lot easier since thats how our brains are programmed to learn a language.
#60
Re: Should forgeiners be made to learn basic English?
Originally Posted by ImHere
Ive had this argumenrt with language teacher...
However, as some folks get older the way their brain works changes and they cannot learn in the same way a child would. These folks often need some grammar "hooks" to hang their understanding on -- it helps.
Horses for courses...