Here’s a post I found interesting from Trevin Wax who worked/s as a missionary in Romania about his journey of learning romanian.
"So, one day, I decided not to speak in English anymore to anyone. The only time I would use English was when I did not know how to say what I needed to say in Romanian. In such a circumstance, I would say the desired phrase in English and then ask how to say it in Romanian. When I would find out how to express myself in Romanian, I would repeat the phrase or sentence in Romanian. That way, I would be learning even when I didn’t know what to say.
Making the decision to speak only in Romanian was like taking the training wheels off a bicycle. Yes, I fell off a lot and the bike kept going wobbly for a while. But at least I was riding! And every time I fell off my only choice was to get back on the bicycle and keep going.
This decision was my breakthrough. Within days I was
speaking Romanian freely and fluently. Not perfectly, but fluently.
There could be no more relying on my training wheels for this bike to
get going!"
When Rachel and I were in Paris in April, I dusted off my high school french and resolved to try and at least start every conversation with a frenchman/woman in french, even if that was often "Excusez Moi Tu Parlez en Anglais?" (Excuse me, Do you Speak English?). Im fairly sure everyone I spoke to thought I was ridiculous, especially in Paris where there is a good level of english is spoken by almost everyone (though if they think you are abnoxious and rude they wont be forthcoming in showing they understand!) but I think it is important to try, if only to show them that you legitimize their culture and language.
For French people, and indeed many non-English speaking countries there is an unending wave of cultural globalisation where US and less conspiciously UK culture has attempted to define itself as a cultural default which results in the native culture becoming deviant and other. A good example of this is to listen in on any group of younger teen girls in the UK and see how many Americanisms/FRIENDS phrases are used.
Because the UK and US share the same language (broadly speaking) it feels much less like cultural reform but in non-english speaking nations there is an understandably reactionary response to this cultural globalisation, and that is why when you begin chattering away to a frenchman asking directions in your best regional accent in English he will ignore you, or pretend he doesn’t understand what you are saying, because everytime he simply decides to respond to you in English he is furthering the conception that wherever you go in the world, you dont need to understand the language or culture because you can just ‘revert to the default’ and force others to understand you, instead of making the effort to understand them.
What do you think? Is speaking nothing but English in a non-english speaking nation a form of cultural colonialism, or is it useful to have a default setting in order for communication to transcend culture?
15 responses so far ↓
1 Willy // Jun 4, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Did you know that almost 3 times as many people speak Mandarin as a first language compared to English, but English is the most widely spoken 2nd language.
2 Liam // Jun 4, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I do now, thanks thats interesting!
3 Laura Anne // Jun 4, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Chinese mandarin and Spanish are the 2 most spoken languages in the world.
It really annoys me when tourists (usually british or american) get angry in a non-english speaking country that someone DOESN’T speak English.
It’s totally obnoxious. I have to say in France and in Spain my Highers didn’t help me much. But I think it’s important to try and learn. It’s a sign of respect.
By the way, I’ve tagged you in a meme!!
4 Rachel // Jun 5, 2008 at 11:12 am
I do think that it is always good to challenge yourself when in other country. I also think it adds to the whole experience of travel. I think many people would agree with your point, however, alot of people (including me who is the WORLDS WORST at challenging myself with the language) lack confidence to to just “go for it” because generally it means making an ass of yourself many times before actually getting anywhere. Having said all that,there is no excuse!
5 Rachel // Jun 5, 2008 at 11:13 am
*another
6 Liam // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Laura Anne, Thanks for commenting, I guess spanish must be partially due to south american nations? I will try and respond to the meme asap. Liam
7 Liam // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Rachel, how great to have you comment, some great thoughts there. I agree, and I think it also depends on how invested you are to the place, say for example you moved somewhere I think we would more intentionally learn and try, but if your somewhere for a few days it can feel like ‘whats the point’.
8 Rachel // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Yes. Although, don’t you get such a sense of achievement communicating with someone in another language whether it be for 1 day or years. When i chickened out of speaking french, for example, i did feel like i was missing out alittle. (your going to hold me to this conversation, when we away and i am letting you do all the talking…)
9 Liam // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Well to be honest my sense of achievement was only out of the feeling that I tried, my only other achievement was to make a complete ass out of myself, but I think its a balance, although its important to try and not worry about what people think of you, if it really affects your demeaner to feel silly in front of a native speaker and your only there for a few days I think its acceptable to chicken out and try and conquer your fear the next time.
10 Laura Anne // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Rachel, just go for it.
After all if you do make an ass of yourself, what is the likelihood you’re ever going to see them again?! And it can be simple things - even just saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in their language, or asking them how to say something in their language that can make all the difference.
It is because of this that my only knowledge of german are the words for the following…
One, Two, Scoop, Ice cream, Please, Thank you, Chocolate, Water, Apple Strudel, Train.
You can see where my priorities lie…in the sugar!
Summer after my first year at uni my friends and I went Inter-railing and we made total asses of ourselves trying to speak different languages across continental Europe…
11 Rachel // Jun 5, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Yes - anyway, very interesting post, i throughly enjoyed reading it.
12 Rachel // Jun 5, 2008 at 2:48 pm
In response to Laura,
I agree. It works little by little. I hope that the next time i am away i remember this conversation and “go for it” !!
13 Blanko // Jul 31, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Mostly I agree. I always find in Spain, if you are willing to try, Spanish people are helpful and accommodating. This seems very different to France. If you don’t try you are treated as rude and boorish, if you do you’re treated as a simpleton for your lack of understanding the finer rules and implications of the incredibly complex and socially mutable French grammar.
The French are brought up to believe, cradle to grave in their born superiority, in everything, and that their language is not simply a tool, but the embodiment of that superiority. I have had several French friends, all of whom have evinced this deeply unpleasant characteristic, all of whom have been proud to belittle the English, and especially the Americans at every opportunity. I believe that France has never recovered from it’s fall from a world wide empire to a cultural provincial backwater. The fact that French has never been adopted widely only rubs salt into already sore wounds. The fact that the French pass law after law in an attempt to keep their language pure highlights the ridiculousness of the French attitude to language, and it is the expansive mongrel nature of English that makes it the de facto language of international exchange. Maybe English simply excels in this role, and we shouldn’t get up tight about it
14 Liam // Jul 31, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Blanko, some valid points, but I would say that Francophile colonisation has not been as impotent as you suggest as the middle-class professional (legal, governmental, medical) classes in large swathes of modern Africa continue to use french as a second formal language.
English is indeed a mongrel language, and while I accept the premise that English works well in it role of international default, I think it is helpful to recollect that it isnt THE language but A language as I have tried to hear.
Many Thanks for your thoughtful response.
15 LUCY // Aug 12, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I THINK FRIENDS I S THE BEST THING EVER ME AND MY FRIENDS BE BEST FRIEND
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