im in geneva for a couple of months and if anyone can help me, i'll be grateful. i cant understand whenever you say, 'pardon, non francais,' they get all huffy and say, 'non anglais' as if to say, well, i dont know any engish either, so get lost!' HALP!!
2007-01-12 00:09:20 · 7 answers · asked by Vidushi 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I think you're all being too rude to Vidu! She could just be on vacation! How many of you learn a language just to go on vacation? I agree with those of you who say they might be offended because she's not really saying "I don't speak French", but she's trying her best to tell you in your own language that she doesn't really speak much French! Anyway, Vidu, the fact is that, hard as it is, many countries are not too fond of Americans... and that's the truth! We all should try to become better tourists.
2007-01-12 07:14:51 · answer #1 · answered by rebeca_16_2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all: Thanks for the generalization!
Geneva is not Switzerland, it’s just one little part. AND
yes, they have a lot of foreigners there, who all behave
EXACTLY like you: Why the heck don’t they speak MY language?
What about trying to learn theirs???
By the way
if I read your text, ”engish” and ”HALP” don’t strike me as perfect English either.
In my experience, many Swiss people speak more foreign languages than the average American or Englishman. So, instead of complaining, try to adapt. If you show a little effort, I’m sure the ”huffy” attitude of your Swiss will change.
You are welcome
2007-01-12 01:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by saehli 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its probably because 'pardon, non francais' doesnt really mean anything, basically it means 'pardon, no french', so you could mean 'je ne peux pas parler le francais' i cant speak french, 'je ne suis pas francais' i am not french, or something like you dont want any french people there???? and its strange that you havnt picked up the language much yet, have you been living in an air tight bubble or something? and if they say 'non anglais' they probably mean they dont speak any english, or in retalliation, to the strange thing you just said, just the opposite, lol
2007-01-12 01:16:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're there for a couple of MONTHS, learn some French! It's not that hard. Get out of the internet cafe, get off Yahoo Answers, and go speak French. Go. Get up. Right now. Don't wait for many more answers.
2007-01-12 02:39:34 · answer #4 · answered by theloniouszen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can't speak French in Switzerland, no problem; just switch to German, Italian or Romansch - works like a breeze ;-)
2007-01-12 00:57:43 · answer #5 · answered by Sterz 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They probably don't know English and are annoyed that you are in their country without bothering to learn their language.
2007-01-12 00:18:29 · answer #6 · answered by Angelz 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'd be a little annoyed too, if I were them...
2007-01-12 00:43:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋