Why is it that we expect people that come live in our country to speak english, and why then when we go abroad on holidays, most of us (not all) expect to be spoken to in english?
2006-11-13 05:06:45 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Remebr that english is only fluently spoken by 15% of the world population
2006-11-13 05:10:39 · update #1
Its not the problem of us not speaking another language when away on holidays, its the problem that some of us expect to be spoken to when away
2006-11-13 05:26:41 · update #2
spoken to in english i mean
2006-11-13 05:27:59 · update #3
Well, there is a difference between moving to a country to settle, in which case it is perfectly reasonable to expect to learn the language, and just visiting!
I've just finished reading J K Jerome's 'Three men on the Bummel' which was written over 100 years ago, but raises a similar point, about the prevalence of anglophones in Europe compared with our lack of polyglot skills ourselves. He put it down to weaknesses in our education system, and I think he had a point. For example, I can't speak French, I can only speak 'O level French' which seems to be a language unique to English schools!
2006-11-13 05:18:13 · answer #1 · answered by Avondrow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a foreigner living in UK it seems normal to me to speak English here. If I was here just as a tourist it would be different i suppose but I'm sure i would try at least just by politeness and to be sure i am understood. Having travelled around the world i found out that you always have more help from the locals if you try to speak their language.
2006-11-13 13:15:12 · answer #2 · answered by talkingformydog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no problems with holiday makers coming over and talking their own language but if they want to live over here they should make an effort to speak our language! I know if i lived in another country i would learn the language!
2006-11-13 13:24:36 · answer #3 · answered by everydayangel 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you lived in a place that was fabulous enough to draw people from all over the world; you would also know that many foreigners visit America, but do not speak any English...or Spanish.
2006-11-13 13:23:16 · answer #4 · answered by limendoz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would not expect someone on vacation to the US to speak English, however if they reside here than that is a different story.
2006-11-13 13:15:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you visit Italy, you aren't there to stay, and you had best learn the language of Italians... it's courteous.
If an Italian is going to move to the US to stay and work, they must learn English. They are no longer in their 'home' country.
.
2006-11-13 13:10:13 · answer #6 · answered by twowords 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know!! I went to Northern Cyprus and most of the people there speak Turkish and no English...I felt so bad that I knew not one word of Turkish. (Mind you if I go to Spain I speak Spanish and in France I can speak French and in Italy I can get by in Italian so I don't think I'm too ignorant really.)
2006-11-13 13:11:04 · answer #7 · answered by Amanda C 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
English is the universal language, but you should know the basics of the language to which the country you are visiting.
2006-11-13 13:09:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I hear ya brother! We should get some nets, snag up those dang foreigners and toss 'em over the border! Yeeee Haaaa!
2006-11-13 13:11:48 · answer #9 · answered by buh! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's in our mindset to think that everybody should know English, since American culture is such a dominant force in the world. We are arrogant in that way, because we expect people to communicate and serve us on our terms.
2006-11-13 13:25:55 · answer #10 · answered by jenahfah 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋