languages

~~Cuthbert~~ · 03-19-2013, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

They tend to understand Castellano speakers ok in most parts of Latin America, the problem often occurs when Latin Americans go to Spain and speakers of Castellano can have problems understanding them initially. You have to remember that the differences between Spanish from Latin America and Spain are far greater than between UK English and American English. Even within Latin America the differences between say Mexican Spanish and Chilean Spanish are substantial.

Cheers mate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren

Fluently bilingual(English/French). My dad is Québécois and we speak almost exclusively in French. My mom is American and doesn't speak a lick of French, so I grew up learning both languages concurrently.

That's quite good that you've been fluent in both all your life.

I've noticed on here the bilingual posters are all non-British. And by non-British I really just mean English as at least the Irish and Welsh have their own languages plus speak English too (I think anyway, maybe someone from Ireland, Scotland or Wales can correct me). I find it a bit embarrassing that most English people can't speak a word of any other language yet most of the rest of the world can speak English, that seems quite ignorant tbh, especially when we go on holiday to other countries and don't bother to learn a few words of their language.

Darren · 03-19-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffy Kittens

That's quite good that you've been fluent in both all your life.

I've noticed on here the bilingual posters are all non-British. And by non-British I really just mean English as at least the Irish and Welsh have their own languages plus speak English too (I think anyway, maybe someone from Ireland, Scotland or Wales can correct me). I find it a bit embarrassing that most English people can't speak a word of any other language yet most of the rest of the world can speak English, that seems quite ignorant tbh, especially when we go on holiday to other countries and don't bother to learn a few words of their language.

It is true that most of the world's population is multi-lingual. I live just outside of Montreal during the week and New York on weekends. In Canada outside of Quebec, there's a good amount of bilingual people but most are unilingual English speakers. In Quebec, French is the sole official language. But if you live in and around Montreal, public service jobs require you to be fluent in both French and English. Then when I live in New York, we're right back to the unilingual English speakers.

It is true than Anglophones are vastly unilingual. And it's also highly disrespectful to go to another country and expect to be catered to in English.