Foriegn Language

[Roderick Usher]

All right, I'll try not to rant here, but something has building inside me and I feel I must discuss the topic with others or I'll go nuts.

I've done some traveling...not a ton, mind you, but enough to find myself visiting countries in which I do not speak the native language. As an English speaking American it has never been too hard to get by, as inevitably (even in the smallest town) someone who speaks English is rarely more than a stone's throw away.

But come to America speaking anything other than English and you're screwed. Sure you can get by in the heart of some major cities, but even there it will be difficult. So few Americans speak a foreign language...and I don't mean those who "took some Spanish or French in High School", I'm talking about being able to converse.

It seems this is part of an inborn American Xenophobia (and it isn't reserved to America - there are other countries out there - primarily English Speaking countries that fall into this same trap) that makes us such mad citizens of the world. When I ask people if they speak a foreign language, they so often reply "Why? Everyone speaks English." This really bugs me. Thinking that our nation - which has its faults, sure...but this country that I love is so full of people who simply do not care about opening a line of communication with anyone who doesn't speak their language - as if anything not in English is somehow less important.

I, myself am trying to do something about it. I can get by with my Spanish and have done so in Mexico repeatedly. Living in Los Angeles, I use it almost daily with shopkeepers and the like. I've picked up a tiny bit of Japanese, Cantonese & French, but only enough to get myself in over my head in conversation.

I am going to immerse myself in a foreign language and I challenge all of you out there to do the same.

I know there are a few on this site for whom English is not their first language, and I find that really cool. How many of us English speakers would post, let alone become members, on a discussion board in another language? You guys fucking rule!

Now I have a question...which language should I go for? My Spanish is O.K. and getting better all the time, so I want to add a third to the mix.

I'm torn between...

French - I want to be able to address people in Cannes without looking like the Ugly American...and it's big in Africa and the Carribean

Italian - I have a film in preproduction in Italy and would love to be able to chat with Dario Argento

Which one?

And any of you fluent in a second language, let me hear about it. Nothing would make me happier to find that I am simply mistaken in my observation.

[massacre man]

I took Spanish in 8th grade about 2 years ago, I failed so badly that by the end of the 4th marking period the teacher didn't even give me the work, same thing with a friend of mine who was in that class, now she tells them "Don't be a Michael or a Scotty". But I need Spanish to graduate so I'm taking it this year coming and next year, if I fail I'm fucked and I'm not graduating on time. So I'm gonna learn a foreign language... hopefully.

[jenna26]

I took Spanish in high school, 3 years actually......aced the classes and actually could carry on a conversation.....(though with my southern accent, it was a bit amusing) but have since forgotten almost all of it. If two people are speaking in Spanish I can pick up bits and pieces but that's it.
I would try Italian. Especially if I ever had the chance to converse with Argento. My husband and I also hope to visit Italy one day, and before we do, IF we ever have the funds, I do plan to try to learn the language beforehand.

[newb]

I would go for Ebonics.

Here are a few Ebonics' terms:
Crib.................................. place of residence
Dod.................................. worn out, bad, terrible
Boyz................................. gang friends
Ball out, jet......................... leave
Snaps, yayo, lutchi, cream....... money
Try-fo-lin........................... that's stupid
Phat, brick.......................... looks good
Peace out............................ good bye
Peeps, Homie...................... friend
Gank................................ to steal

[LoudLon]

I'm a steadfast patriot, but part of loving one's country is being able to recognize its faults and this one has always been a big one for me.

I'm the same way; I can speak just enough of a few other languages to get a conversation started, but then I'm lost. And I've learned that whatever language it is you're trying to speak, make sure you AT LEAST know the phrase, "My (insert language here) is bad. Do you speak English?" But even knowing that, it's an insult to the foreign-speaking person you're talking to.

I took a couple years of Spanish back in highschool, and it's been put to good use at my job, where we get a lot of hispanic clients, and I've been working a lot this last couple years to better myself at it. I've dabbled also in Cantonese, and when stationed in Hawaii while in the service I picked up some basic Korean, Japanese and Polynesian phrases.

But personally I think if you're an American who gets around even a little, you should at least familiarize yourself with Spanish, considering it's been indicated it'll sooner or later be termed America's second language.

[novakru]

French
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[Despare]

Quick question for those who expect Americans to speak other languages. Do you also believe that people who travel (or move) here should speak English? What I've NEVER understood are the people who believe we should speak more languages but in turn believe we should make sure all our signs, packages, etc... have other languages on them as well. Anyway, I speak a little Spanish (4 years) and a VERY little bit of French (2 years), I don't expect it to help me very much as I don't put myself in a position to use it very often. I do however believe that some people should master the basics of their first language before moving on to another. We have far too many people who can't even speak English properly and I'm not even talking about immigrants.

[Doc Faustus]

Italian is a beautiful language with easier grammar than French. I love everything about it. It's also very easy to read and full of intriguing etymologies.

[zwoti]

i learnt french and german.

if i was to learn another language it would be italian or cantonese, or maybe mandarin.


as for your choice, it has to be italian

otherwise you'll end up like this :eek:

[Vodstok]

I took spanish and german growing up. I lived in germany for a total of 9 years, but my german was always rusty, because much like a veal calf's legs, since it didnt get much exercise, it never got very strong. Everywhere I lived, most of the community spoke fluent english. However, i tried to use german as often as possible, which was appreciated by most people.