there is a french exchange student staying with a girl in my 4th period and the whole exchange group is visiting for 3 days because they are actually staying with another school.. but they always visit us. the french girl doesnt speak english at all and i was wondering if it would be rude of me to try to speak to her in french when i dont speak french.. well.. much at all.. i speak enough to pass french 1 and 2 but im still FAR from partially fluent. my latin teacher said its rude to try to speak to someone in their native language if you dont speak it well.. but he meant if they speak english as well as their native language... but this girls doesnt even know 'hello' in english... and i want to atleast learn how old she is, what she thinks about our school, and if she's having a good time.. my french teacher says i can and it wont be rude...but i keep thinking back to my latin teacher.. he was the french teacher but he retired last year.. .and he taught many years longer than she has.
2007-03-27 10:56:47 · 8 answers · asked by janna w 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It wouldn´t be rude at all. I am sure she will appreciate that at least somebody is trying to communicate with her. So, go ahead.
2007-03-27 11:24:46 · answer #1 · answered by Martha P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard that it would be rude before. In reality, most people appreciate your effort. In a lot of countries speaking the native language badly will result in getting English back, but that's because the other person is trying to help you out, not because they think you are rude, quite the opposite.
2007-03-28 01:49:13 · answer #2 · answered by Gullefjun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would not be rude at all, on the contrary, she may appreciate your effort and feel more welcomed. Besides the only way you will improve your French is actually using it, otherwise you lose it. .
By the way, it is no coincidence that Latin is a dead language and French is very much alive.. ;-) go for it !
2007-03-27 18:17:47 · answer #3 · answered by nmaria 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
People are not that easily insulted. Maybe your latin teacher just thinks that people shouldn't speak English unless they can speak it well, which seems kind of racist. Go ahead and talk to her. Just try to tell her that you don't speak it very well. Chances are, she'll try to help you. It could be alot of fun. Bring a dictionary, just in case.
Good luck ;-)
2007-03-27 18:04:51 · answer #4 · answered by Kharm 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it would be rude at all! I think if i was in a country whose language i didn't speak and someone tried to talk to me in my native language. i would love it!
2007-03-27 18:05:40 · answer #5 · answered by JEANNE B 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it would be rude. She is probably very lonely since she speaks no English. She would probably appreciate you (attempting) to speak to her.
2007-03-27 18:08:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
sure why not?
also help her with our language
2007-03-27 18:13:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make her feel as welcome as you can. That is NOT rude.
2007-03-27 18:06:47 · answer #8 · answered by Alicia 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋