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#11
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So who's made an effort ...
Am Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:40 -0700 schrieb EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque):
I once had an amusing experience trying to communicate with a chambermaid in my Vienna hotel - seems she was Slavic, and spoke no more German than I did! Thats quite typical, most staff in European Hotels are foreigners, as it's one of the jobs that don't require good local language skills. Regards, Frank |
#12
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So who's made an effort ...
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:44:51 +0100, David Horne wrote in post :
: I would like to learn Arabic at the moment, as I do like to visit Arabic speaking countries and wonder if the experience wouldn't be enhanced by a little understanding of the language... Understanding what all the local beggars are calling out to you in the street may not enhance your holiday :-) -- Tim C. Linz, Austria. |
#13
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So who's made an effort ...
Tim C. wrote:
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:44:51 +0100, David Horne wrote in post : : I would like to learn Arabic at the moment, as I do like to visit Arabic speaking countries and wonder if the experience wouldn't be enhanced by a little understanding of the language... Understanding what all the local beggars are calling out to you in the street may not enhance your holiday :-) Hah! D -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) |
#14
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So who's made an effort ...
Erilar wrote:
poldy wrote: [] Maybe typical American arrogance, to expect others to cater to them, including learning English -- though arguably, Southern Europeans would do well to learn English to enhance their marketability in various professions (not limited to tourism trades). When I don't need English, I don't use it because I've seen too much such arrogance and don't like being considered a citizen of their version of my country. I think it's more complex than that. What language will the average, say, Finn use when communicating with a waiter in a Hungarian restaurant? I bet it's English. The Finn isn't being 'arrogant', simply practical. D -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) |
#16
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So who's made an effort ...
On Friday, April 12, 2013 8:21:50 AM UTC+1, Martin wrote:
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:46:44 +0200, Frank Hucklenbroich wrote: Am Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:21:36 +0000 (UTC) schrieb Bert: I studied French and German in school, and have had little opportunity to use either. I was able to read signs, menus and the like when I traveled in Austria and Germany, but neither language was of much use in The Netherlands or Norway. In the Netherlands you can get around with German, the two languages are not so different from each other and most dutch people understand basic German. You will also be able to read menus or roadsigns. That's true, but you do better using English. The Dutch have long memories -- Martin in Zuid Holland Absoluut! |
#17
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So who's made an effort ...
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:46:44 +0200, Frank Hucklenbroich
wrote: Am Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:21:36 +0000 (UTC) schrieb Bert: I studied French and German in school, and have had little opportunity to use either. I was able to read signs, menus and the like when I traveled in Austria and Germany, but neither language was of much use in The Netherlands or Norway. In the Netherlands you can get around with German, In the Netherlands you'd be better off using English, Germans aren't popular... |
#18
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So who's made an effort ...
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:42:46 +0100, David Horne wrote in post :
: Tim C. wrote: On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:44:51 +0100, David Horne wrote in post : : I would like to learn Arabic at the moment, as I do like to visit Arabic speaking countries and wonder if the experience wouldn't be enhanced by a little understanding of the language... Understanding what all the local beggars are calling out to you in the street may not enhance your holiday :-) Hah! D Seriously though, I expect it would help. When I try and learn a language - or even just a few words, or browse through a newspaper in Rheto-Romanic - it gives me a very small insight into the people and culture. Very small. -- Tim C. Linz, Austria. |
#19
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So who's made an effort ...
On 4/12/2013 3:21 AM, Martin wrote:
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:46:44 +0200, Frank Hucklenbroich wrote: Am Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:21:36 +0000 (UTC) schrieb Bert: I studied French and German in school, and have had little opportunity to use either. I was able to read signs, menus and the like when I traveled in Austria and Germany, but neither language was of much use in The Netherlands or Norway. In the Netherlands you can get around with German, the two languages are not so different from each other and most dutch people understand basic German. You will also be able to read menus or roadsigns. That's true, but you do better using English. The Dutch have long memories I had no trouble using German - but my accent made it obvious that I wasn't a native speaker. This was in the 60s, when English wasn't as much spoken as it is now. I spoke in German, and was answered in Dutch. |
#20
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So who's made an effort ...
Am Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:31:56 +0200 schrieb Tim C.:
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:44:51 +0100, David Horne wrote in post : : I would like to learn Arabic at the moment, as I do like to visit Arabic speaking countries and wonder if the experience wouldn't be enhanced by a little understanding of the language... Understanding what all the local beggars are calling out to you in the street may not enhance your holiday :-) But imagine their surprise when they realize that you understand them... Could be well worth it ;-) SCNR, Frank |
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