I lived in MI and just moved to NC, and I have this friend who is Asian and he lives in Michigan. He does not read or speak English very well, and he's kind of "married" to his job, but I still want to keep in touch with him because he is a great guy. I try to talk to him on the phone sometimes, but he's always like, "I have to go back to work!" (I think he has trouble thinking of what to say in English, so he uses his job as an excuse.) Also, whenever I call him, the reception on his phone is not very good so he has a hard time hearing me.
Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you!
2006-08-20 19:24:32 · 11 answers · asked by poeticjustice 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
He speaks Chinese, Khmer, and some English.
2006-08-20 19:39:02 · update #1
try sending him emails, see if he responds better. It could be that he is uncomfortable talking on the phone. (some people really are)
2006-08-20 19:30:34 · answer #1 · answered by mightymite1957 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Email him
Keep your grammar to present and past tense, maybe a little future tense.
Use simple words.
Don't use alot of slang, don't use ANY abbreviations (brb, lol, btwn, etc)
Watch your prepositions, they drive people crazy who don't speak English as a first language (I'll get ON it, what's IN it for me, you'll get OVER it, can you see THROUGH the excuse, etc)
Also- talking on the phone in a second or third language is REALLY hard. No body language to read, no situational context to help interpret. I would say skip the phone.
Keep communicating.
Even difficult communication is worth keeping up if it's good communication....
2006-08-21 08:11:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep in touch via email. Many Asians find it easier to write in English than to speak it. Or, if you really want to impress him for a special occasion, have what you write translated into his native tongue.
2006-08-20 19:29:31 · answer #3 · answered by Bethany 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you contact him online at all you may try using a translator like babel fish. But as for talking to him over the phone your options are slim. Maybe find another freind who can translate for you.
2006-08-20 19:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by imunalia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English would be discovered honestly via watching English movies and communicate in elementary English with some one for it slow extensive-unfold so as that your English would be stronger as we communicate yet coaching is likewise required.
2016-09-29 12:16:34 · answer #5 · answered by erlebach 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try using http://babel.altavista.com/ to translate your English into his Chinese/Korean/Japanese language. A note: it doesn't always give a word for word translation, so some of what you "say" could translate sounding funny to him ;-P
Good luck!
2006-08-20 19:38:39 · answer #6 · answered by sarah 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i also have a friend, he is Malay, i am Chinese! we also have language problem, i also don't know speak to him! but he always call me! so i always reply message ! so you can try to sms with him! i sure this is a good ideal!
2006-08-20 19:37:21 · answer #7 · answered by aihuko 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do sign language or learn their language
2006-08-20 19:29:02 · answer #8 · answered by kintrell_olia_wright 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
email lots of pictures with small words and fun cartoons that expres what is happen in your life
2006-08-20 21:35:41 · answer #9 · answered by yomom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where in Asia? I can teach some Tagalog,Bisaya and native in Davao. what do you think??? hmmmmmmmmm???
2006-08-20 19:32:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋