Learning the Lingo - Should you speak the language of your new country?

[Melo 1]

I know a couple back in Old Blighty who have lived there for 40 years or more and do not speak a word of English. I find it quite unnacceptable. They own a corner shop in New Malden and never felt it necessary to learn English. Most disgusting if you ask me!!!

[Carola 0]

In this topic I only have to say let people be people... I agree with the statement: "if you immigrate to a different Country learn at least their language..." but don't you think it IS people choice... if a foreign that comes to a different country and choose not to learn the local language that is up to them... plus not everybody has the linguistic talent developed for some people to learn a new tongue is challenging I know that as a fact I'm really good in numbers and calculations but not as good in languages even that I can speak two languages beside my own mother tongue. So, I'd say don't judge people maybe some of them just can't learn.

Edited March 28, 2006 by Carola

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Some can't learn but some don't even try. Admit it. I have no repect for the ones that don't try.

[Kajikit 65]

I'm going to reply first and THEN read what everyone else has to say... so if I'm repeating anyone I apologise.

I think that ideally you should learn at least SOME of the language of the country you live in - it must make life much harder not to be able to communicate with the average citizen! But some people (especially from poorer countries) are illiterate and it's much harder to learn a second language if you can't even read and write your own! Or they might be dyslexic ditto... or just plain tone-deaf.

[Carola 0]

I'm going to reply first and THEN read what everyone else has to say... so if I'm repeating anyone I apologise.

I think that ideally you should learn at least SOME of the language of the country you live in - it must make life much harder not to be able to communicate with the average citizen! But some people (especially from poorer countries) are illiterate and it's much harder to learn a second language if you can't even read and write your own! Or they might be dyslexic ditto... or just plain tone-deaf.

That's what I want to say!

[Jasman0717 9]

When in Rome.................

[germangel 0]

I think that even if you don't have the linguistic superbrains, you should MAKE THE EFFORT to learn the language. That's the important part!! No need to be fluent or to drive yourself nuts trying. But you learn simply by listening and by trying to learn a bit.

In Germany, we have huge Russian and Polish communities, which are considered german as their families was forced to move away generations ago. Many of the older mambers refuse to speak German and wouldn't make any effort whatsoever to learn the language.

If you show that you try, you already won. Like my hubbie, he isn't good with languages at all but he took college German just to talk a bit with my family. They loved him for that and in return, tried to speak as much English with him as they could, even if they weren't all that good in it either. But it works and they communicaate just fine without speaking each others language perfectly.

As long as you try, I'm fine with it

[Fuzzness 2]

It's all about communication. Why would someone not want to communicate with the people?

[KarenCee 3]

Agreed. Although Joel and I both speak English, I do want to learn French, which he and his family are fluent in. Besides, languages are fun, if you give them a chance. Just MHO...

[denali_1963 0]

just watch sesame street and you will learn. My husband worked for beaners cleaners from mexico and thats how they learned.

[mawilson 2,133]

When in Rome.................

jasman - I didn't know you could speak English - LOL

[iceyspots 0]

I do understand what you guys are talking about here. I'm working on my 3rd language and sheese it is not easy, however I have no sympathy for one who doesn't even want to attempt to learn the language of the country they are going to live in. My fiance does not speak English, he does understand quite a bit, but I just sent him a language learning set of CD's (Will teach him English from French instruction, cost about $80). Fortunately I live in a community with a lot of other Algerians and other arabic speaking people so there are certain arenas where he can get clairification on certain concepts in his native tongue. He is going to more-so use the community as a crutch until he blossoms into a full blown English speaker. He is doing very well though on his exercises...

However, even though I feel that immigrants should learn English, I do feel that Americans are overly critical of others not being able to speak English when foreign language education in this country is like a joke... I know many foreigners who speak multiple languages... 2..3..4... hmm but that's a whole other story

[Satisfaction 1]

I think that someone who wishes to settle in a foreign country should manage to communicate, read and write in the language of that country. One can learn the basics easily on his or her own, but when it comes to strict grammar and conjugaison rules, there is a need to be teached academically (in high school for me, who was a student in the European education system). The best is to start young. A child's brain is like a sponge that can grab and memorize new sounds, concepts and ideas very quickly.

Many immigrants unfortunately didn't have the chance to start young and become fluent in a second language. Also it may not even have been possible to hire a language tutor in their home country schools. That said, it is never too late to learn. English is not, after all, the harchest language to learn among all (ask me about German )

So don't give up! "Faut pas laisser tomber!!"

[m_and_m20 0]

I am actually very proud of my husband. For having been here two years he speaks english so amazingly well. He works for a guy from Poland who has been here for over 10 years and he speaks english so horribly, enough to communicate, but really broken.

I will use my cultural background as an example. I know of many albanians that have been here for 10, 20, even 40 years that do not know a lick of english. When you surround yourself with people like you, from the same country as you, speaking the same language as you, to them, there is no need to learn english. The worst part about it is that you cant really be self sufficient when you dont speak the language. You would have to rely on others to take you to the store or to the doctor and communicate for you. Now, my husband is not someone who likes to depend on others, so his first six months here was torture for him. But now, like i said, i am so proud that he learned english (all on his own, he tried ESL classes but they didnt help him).

[almaty 19]

i think english needs to be learn in this country...just makes life easier and for economic purposes, if you want to work, in most cases a must..