How many of you speak more than 1 language?

Question

And do you think it's a form of arrogance if English speaking countries don't bother to learn another language? Not judging, just wondering.

I also think it's enriching to know more languages, English is not my native language btw. But I do believe it should be mandatory to at least learn 1 other language, it does create more understanding for others.

Answer 1

I speak Flemish (Dutch), French, English, a little bit of German and Spanish.
I don't think that it's a form of arrogance...it's just knowing that a lot of people speak English...it's more like "why bother"...
I do know from experience that people find it charming when you try to talk their language and that they will help you much easier...
People who speak only one language loose out on so much things...

Answer 2

I don't think its a form of arrogance at all. I'm not a native English speaker, but I've been taught at a young age, and this happens all over the world, so theres so many people speaking English, theres really no need for people in English speaking countries to learn other languages.

So if theres really no need for them to learn, why should they if they don't want to, I can see how some might interpret that as arrogant though.

Answer 3

I am a Spanish-speaking native who is almost fluent in English and has started to learn French and Latin

Is not arrogance, but I consider is the fair thing. We already are bothering to learn your language (is mandatory in many Non-English speaking school systems around the globe) also that learning another languages is almost always useful

Answer 4

I feel you are overgeneralizing. I reside in South Texas. Many folks right here understand each English an Spanish. Why is it so major for an American to be taught French, a language they'll absolutely in no way use? I took 2 years of French in prime university, incidentally, and particularly loved it. You have household in Europe; so much Americans do not. They can be taught a language, but when they do not get to talk it with others, it is going to be misplaced. That has been my revel in with talking French. Je ne souviens pas beaucoup de francais. Dommage! Besides that, it is an man or woman resolution on whether or not one needs to spend the time, attempt, and cash to be taught a further language. Some jobs require it, like yours, at the same time it would not make any change in mine. I paintings totally in English. Most Americans' dad and mom did not talk a language instead of English at dwelling. That's why they do not talk something instead of English. _________ William, I understand what you are speakme approximately, however this being a globalized financial system now, folks be taught English since it's often required in the event that they wish to paintings within the trade sector the world over. That's why those non-English audio system be taught it at university, since in the event that they wish to compete, they must understand English, and their university techniques appreciate this. Having stated that, we already understand English. So, any language we be taught is totally for cultural or gratifying causes. We are already at an potential to have it as our first language. The U.S. has the biggest marketplace-base on this planet. These different international locations have discovered to outlive, they have got to be taught English and educate their youngsters English. My mom is Hispanic, and I do understand a little bit Spanish. But just like the interpreter stated, until you are immersed in a language, it is elaborate to be fluent in it. Best Regards!

Answer 5

Yup.
I speak English AND Americanish.

hehe... a bit of singlish too.
Singapore English is influenced by Malay Chinese
Indonisian and Arabic
actually... quite a few Chinese dialects.

I speak a few words in 'Indo.
a few words in Cantonese (trouble with the tones)
a few words in Hokkien / Fuzhanhua.
(I want to learn Fujianese, SOMEBODY HELP!!!)
Quite a bit of Mandarin (not anywhere near fluent yet)

I studied Russian for a few years.
I know a few Polish/Armenian/Croatian words
and phrases that are similar to the Russian versions.

I speak some Japanese.
(Just started Korean)

Some Arabic/ some Turkish / some Uzbek
and yesterday learned 5-6 phrases in Farsi.

I can read SOME basic Coptic.... but no one
speaks it anymore.

I keep trying German and French, but I always
forget an hour later.
Swiss German sounds a bit like English if you
listen close enough.

I speak a few hundred phrases in Swahili

And I can get slapped in about 14 languages.

Answer 6

Native English speaker; I've studied German, French, and Spanish well enough to hold a conversation, Latin and Japanese a little, and Sanskrit and Greek enough to read (without comprehending) the alphabet.

I don't know if it's arrogance, although it certainly can be. In the US, however, I think most people who can't be bothered with foreign languages feel that they can live their entire life in English-speaking areas. Take Quebec and Mexico out, and Anglo North America is an absolutely enormous area with over 300 million people.

Answer 7

i speak 3, but i don't think it's arrogant to only know English. From a practical point of view, English is generally known all across the world, so it's not really necessary to learn another language that cannot be used as often.

Answer 8

I am from Morocco and I speak four languages which is not unusual. I think English speaking countries especially the US don't bother to learn another language because they do not have to. In Europe it is really important to learn a new language because of the European union in other countries international trade makes learning foreign language an asset. English is commonly spoken in a lot of different countries for business purposes and it is easy to learn not as intricate as other languages.

Answer 9

I speak four languages quite fluently (French, English, Spanish and Russian) and a bit of Italian too (because of my Corsican origins)
It's not arrogant but you can go almost all around the world with two languages: English and Spanish! And do not forget that the business language is English!

Answer 10

Yes,
English, Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin, Spanish, French, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Javanese. That's 9.

No, I believe that most english speaking coutries, usually speak their language well, like everyone in that country would be able to speak one language and do really well in it. Whereas other countries where there are other languages, it is harder for everyone to understand everyone, coz some don't speak english and those who do, usually speak it brokenly only in rare occassions will you find one who speaks it perfect and has high vocabulary. I think it is good to speak many languages but it is equally important to know how to speak at least one very well.