Do you think you should learn their language?
2006-12-19 14:25:00 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Sure! It's fun. If you're a native English speaker, it surprises the socks off folks in the country where you're living that you would bother to learn their language. English speakers are often seen as arrogant because we seem to expect others to learn our language, no matter where we go.
If you are speaking of immigrants to the US, be careful. I think they should learn English, yes, but you need to take into account educational backgrounds and levels. As an American, I've spent over 15 years in school and am therefore reasonably well educated. When someone who has had perhaps two to four years of schooling -- and isn't even functionally literate in his native tongue -- comes to my country, who should learn the other's language first? To whom would it come most easily? I think we should learn at least a little bit of the languages of those coming into our country so we can better help them adapt.
2006-12-19 14:37:21 · answer #1 · answered by thejanith 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Definitely yes....especially if you're staying there for a while. You'll gain respect there by learning just a few of the most common words or phrases like:
How are you
Thank you
Please
because it will show that you respect them. For a very short holiday those will be enough, but the longer you stay, the more words you should learn, as it will not only impress them, it will also help you!
however....PLEASE learn the proper pronunciation too! As a 'newbie' they'll think it's cute when you say the words wrong, but the longer you stay.....the "less intelligent" they'll think you are for not getting it right yet. I know what I'm talking about, because I've heard the "natives" talking about some people behind their backs for this sort of thing many many times.
2006-12-19 17:49:27 · answer #2 · answered by veroanique 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to live there,yes. If you are visiting for a short time,no-but it wouldn't hurt any to try to learn some of the language.
The local people will generally help you to pronounce correctly and are genuinely pleased when a foreigner tries to learn the language.
2006-12-19 14:30:40 · answer #3 · answered by Ralph T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course.b4 I came to the US I learn how to speak English. So I think everybody should speak another country's language if you live in it. especially Americans they should try to speak other people language when they want to live in other countries instead of expecting them to speak their language. I think everybody should speak a little bit of another language. for exemple me, I speak French very good, I speak creole very good, and I speak a lot of spanish, and speak english really good also. Speaking another language is a plus, because where i get a job as customer Service Rep. or call centers Customer serv. rep I always get a higher salary than other people because i can help almost every customer that comes or call the business.
2006-12-19 15:35:22 · answer #4 · answered by Diamond C. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I was moving to France, I would learn French. Even if I was moving to England, I would learn England-English. I know it's quite different from American-English. I would not want to offend anyone.
However, if I was simply traveling, I would not learn the entire language, just enough to get by or get a translator.
2006-12-19 14:34:50 · answer #5 · answered by yowhatdoyouwant 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This depends entirely on how long you wish to stay.
If you are going to live and work there, learn the language.
If you just want to see the sights and spend some time on the beach, climbing the mountains, buying crap, it's not so necessary.
It is always better to know anything than to remain ignorant.
All knowledge is superior to all ignorance.
Still, learning Latvian might be less useful than learning Mandarin.
Unless you are going to live in Riga, that is.
2006-12-19 14:30:13 · answer #6 · answered by Richard E 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thailand Japan Liberia Iran the U. S. became controlled by Britain Britain became conquered by the french, vikings and romans Switzerland conquered by the romans and the 1st reich antartica isnt a rustic and is alleged by various international places each ecu usa has been invaded plenty which you cant say theyve been self sufficient
2016-12-18 16:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i feel lonely than family is the person that i miss all the time.but another one can make me depandence by my self. ofcos i should learn their language be well. it's easy to commucate with there people
2006-12-19 14:56:17 · answer #8 · answered by summer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well being in China, it would be difficult to live there without speaking Mandarin. So I started first in France then there.
2006-12-19 14:35:50 · answer #9 · answered by kl55000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why yes, of course
2006-12-19 14:48:33 · answer #10 · answered by Oh Dee! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋