Comments on: Learning Language and why the french wont speak english to you

By: LUCY

LUCY — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:28:24 +0000

I THINK FRIENDS I S THE BEST THING EVER ME AND MY FRIENDS BE BEST FRIEND

By: Liam

Liam — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:07:20 +0000

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.

By: Blanko

Blanko — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:02:03 +0000

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

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:48:42 +0000

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” !!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:05:00 +0000

Yes – anyway, very interesting post, i throughly enjoyed reading it.

By: Laura Anne

Laura Anne — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:58:48 +0000

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…

By: Liam

Liam — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:27:14 +0000

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.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:17:34 +0000

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…)

By: Liam

Liam — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:06:38 +0000

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’.

By: Liam

Liam — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:03:59 +0000

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