An American Brigadier was attending an Army conference that included Generals from the U.S., British, Canadian, Australian and French Armies.
At the cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a group of half dozen or so officers that included personnel from most of the countries.
Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French General suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked: "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"
Without hesitating, the American General replied: "Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German..................................."
2006-06-25 23:43:42 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
A definite 10. Why? Can you think of the last time the French ever won a war...with out the help of others? Also, English is the international language used in commercial shipping and flight travel; including ATC.
2006-06-25 23:53:42 · answer #1 · answered by iraq51 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have heard this story before. And it makes a good point.
But the fact is that the internal command language of NATO is and always has been English, even though the two official political NATO languages are English and French.
The importance of the French language, which was the most dominant language of Europe and the educated world during three centuries (16th-18th), began to decline after the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815.
2006-06-26 08:12:26 · answer #2 · answered by Magic Gatherer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
8
2006-06-26 19:18:20 · answer #3 · answered by dd964vet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether the General actually said it or not, it is quite apropos. The English language has earned its position as the de facto language of the world (most of the world any way) because it has been the center of the industrial and education, as well as the communication of travel, preferred around the world. France has demanded that French be used because . . . . . . . they are French.
2006-06-26 06:57:18 · answer #4 · answered by Randy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought it was great. A 9!
Ironically, in the middle 1800's German missed becoming the official language in the US by 1 vote!
2006-06-26 06:49:17 · answer #5 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately a " 10 "
2006-06-26 07:45:49 · answer #6 · answered by tmoondove28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10 bravo
2006-06-26 06:59:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very cool story...definitely a 10.
2006-06-26 09:43:57 · answer #8 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will give you a 9.4 I need to leave some room for improvement on your next rating.
2006-06-26 07:16:29 · answer #9 · answered by MP US Army 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best joke I've heard in a while. Absolutely true.
2006-06-26 06:49:25 · answer #10 · answered by Greg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋