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 Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:48 am
So..I haven't traveled in quite a while but I think it is important to communicate with other people if I'm going to stay in their country for a reasonable amount of time. I'm talking about a work trip / stay longer than 1 maybe even 2 months.
I would hate it to constantly resort to an interpreter or dictionary. And at some point it would just annoy me.
I cannot stand people, that live (work permit, address, car, job, national insurance and all the riff raff) in a country for years and STILL cannot speak the language ! I'm talking about those people, that don't even make an effort and constantly stay in groups of people speaking their language.
So people what is your opinion on this ?
P.S
Mods I have no idea if the subforum is intended for these kind of discussions. I apologize if it is not.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:53 pm
I would definitley learn the language!
1) It shows you have respect for the country and the people, and maybe you'll get some respect back in turn. It also shows that you are taking your job seriously and are not an arrogant b*****d who expects everyone to know your natlang and to accomodate for you.
2) It will make things a lot easier for you (and others) and open doors in the long run.
3) You can have a wider experience and meet more people.
4) It can give you a greater independence so that you don't have to constantly rely on interpretors and phrase books.
5) It can possibly show you are more open-minded and by consequence may perhaps be more willing to be a part of new experiences in that country, and people will probably see this in a good light.
6) It's fun!
7) Why not?
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:45 pm
Of course I would learn the language of the country, if I'm expected to stay there. My aunt, after all these years, still cannot speak English. :c But how do you expect to go further than tourist status, or, 'just living' in another country, if you don't break out of your comfort zone? It's a two-way street when it comes to things like that. I can't say I necessarily hate it- It happens. But if one is brave enough to make that step into a new sort of life in another country in the first place, then why not?
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:13 am
Nice to see some like-minded people ^^ But then thinking about it...this a foreign languages guild. I'd be surprised if someone wouldn't make an effort to learn the language ^_~
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:37 pm
I think it's sort of disrespectful to not at least make an effort when visiting long-term or living in another country. I'm not expecting people to debate politics, but at least be able to get around in daily life, I think.
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Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:31 pm
I agree completely with the sentiments of the previous posts.
I live in the US, but live in an area with a very large Mexican population. Many people can speak almost no English and some expect everyone else to learn Spanish. Those who don't are sometimes called anti-immigrant or racist. It's not a good situation.
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:14 pm
I agree with FluffyElf. I think if someone is going to live in a country they should at least learn enough to get around, for all the previously listed reasons. It's one thing to attempt to learn the local language but to not be able to speak it after years of residing there is just ridiculous. Why would you roll up in someone's country and not even be able to interact with the society? Now tourists or short-term visitors, I give some leeway but if you plan on living somewhere permantly then you should partake in society as insufferable as it may or may not be.
(Note this doesn't give locals a free pass to be douches, my post just happens to be about travelers.)
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