Should everyone speak English?

So there's the rub, the world aspires to speak our language (perhaps excepting France) and it makes us lazy because we can coast along without all the hard work of learning another language
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About 30 odd years ago was touring and camping with our Citroen Dyane down the French coast and into Basque Spain as far as Bilbao, in N Spain 'no one' spoke English and our Spanish was none existent - difficult! Often stopped by automatic toting soldiers - ETA was on the rampage.
 
Last edited:
reginaldon said:
So there's the rub, the world aspires to speak our language (perhaps excepting France) and it makes us lazy because we can coast along without all the hard work of learning another language
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About 30 odd years ago was touring and camping with our Citroen Dyane down the French coast and into Basque Spain as far as Bilbao, in N Spain 'no one' spoke English and our Spanish was none existent - difficult! Often stopped by automatic toting soldiers - ETA was on the rampage.
Click to expand...

I too wasn't molly-coddled in Spain, Sent there by ITT in 1973 to join a software project that was the world's first digital communications switch, in the Standard Electrica laboratories in Madrid, it was still a pariah country ruled with an iron fist by Franco. No one, but no one, spoke anything but Spanish and I had intensive, one-on-one, Spanish lessons until I was fluent enough to head the group.

It was a very different Spain to today. Perversely, in my subjective, selfish way, infinitely preferable to the adulterated, internationalised and bland version one encounters now.
 
French tv often have programs in English that are subtitled in French (a good way to learn) and listen to any radio station and that is in English.
I believe the Portuguese are similar but have more English programs.
Imagine British tv with regular French programs :eek::eek:
 
A1Sailor said:
...but what language did our Lord speak? Was the Bible written in English - or was it maybe written in French, Spanish, Hebrew, whatever, then translated much later into English?
To assume that the Holy Bible was written in English is surely a typically arrogant assumption?
Click to expand...

It was a TIC remark. In fact he would have spoken mainly Aramaic and Hebrew.
 
Hi guys. It's been quite a while now that I am reading the forum, and I decided yesterday to get registered.

I am french and have been living in the Uk for a few years now, and did most of my sailing qualifications in the Solent as I wanted some "fluency" in the english nautical lingo.

Reason is simple: where I will always try to speak in the local language when I am traveling or sailing abroad, I still think that a few things should be available in english every time . That goes from weather forecasts (you should have one in the local language and one in english, it takes just an extra 2 minutes) to forms/discussions with customs officers.

For the rest, I am not expecting the inhabitants of a country to be able to speak english or french for what it matters. But I then tend to say, well, my loss if I am missing on something because of lack of time/laziness to learn a foreign language.

So where I think that nobody should have to speak english anywhere, I still believe that a few things (especially when it comes to safety) should be available in english for travelers.
 
Hello,
As a french man I had to learn English language as British people dont want to learn French. we had war for less.

So, british people were smarter than us to "imposer" the English language. Bravo.

It is quiet easy, but we understand better what it is said, when English is spoken by a foreigner, rather that an English man.

My brother in law is Scottish and make no effort to speak even English he speak the broad scottish, making sure that nobody else than scottish will understand. yé can.

I love scotland, I fell like home when I am up there.(Girvan)

I am always very suprised (pleasently) of the amount of British poeple who can speak French.

You have plenty of french word in your language and we have, also many, English word in our language.

Yes mayday and pan, are French origin.

Sorry for my broken English.

Best regards
 
A1Sailor said:
...but what language did our Lord speak? Was the Bible written in English - or was it maybe written in French, Spanish, Hebrew, whatever, then translated much later into English?
To assume that the Holy Bible was written in English is surely a typically arrogant assumption?
Click to expand...

Hi all,
@Sybarite.... "genial, hilarant...."
@A1Sailor.... thanks for the explanation... "encore plus hilarant"

This is why I LOVE you Brits... your sense of humour. Can't be beaten.
From a Frenchman (living by the A12 most of the time....)

Cheers. Al
 
Barnac1e said:
I too wasn't molly-coddled in Spain, Sent there by ITT in 1973 to join a software project that was the world's first digital communications switch, in the Standard Electrica laboratories in Madrid, it was still a pariah country ruled with an iron fist by Franco. No one, but no one, spoke anything but Spanish and I had intensive, one-on-one, Spanish lessons until I was fluent enough to head the group.

It was a very different Spain to today. Perversely, in my subjective, selfish way, infinitely preferable to the adulterated, internationalised and bland version one encounters now.
Click to expand...

One-on-one is a great way to learn a smattering of several languages, even if you do have to be careful where you speak some of the words afterwards.
 
I have two alternators, an inverter, three solar panels but would like a suitcase generator to keep as a back up if really necessary.
There is a inverter/ generator on sale here for 250 pounds (1KW, 5,300 rpm, 59 decibels, 14 kgs). Is this big enough or would you go bigger. I just want something that will help us through should we be at anchor for longer than intended.
 
Nostrodamus said:
Look,I am in France and I am the biggest culprit in the world. I hear the French weather forecast on the radio and I don't understand it. I hear what I presume is the coast guard but I have no idea what they are balbbering on about. I hear other boats but have no idea what they are saying. If I use my radio I speak in English and hope they can do so too.
It may be someone is in trouble nearby but if they speak in a foreign language I am as useless as a chastity belt for Katie Price.
Am I arrogant or should I have learnt some French before coming here?
I am going to Spain and Portugal next. What happens then?
Should everyone learn English so they can understand me or should I learn everyone else's language?
Click to expand...
I landed in Algeria in 76, the choice was Arabic or French. My schoolboy french soon came back, I am still fairly fluent. I went to Angola, I soon learned to speak Portuguese, I can still speak it fairly well. I picked up some Arabic and I can speak a little bit of Welsh.
Smartars e?
Stu
 
temptress said:
NO - but No one should have to speak FRENCH.
Click to expand...
I took the kids to Disney Paris in Oct, it was ****! but trying to park the car I was accosted by a big black bolshie frenchwoman who didnt want me to park where I wanted to and was allowed to. I took so much of her tirade in French, asked her could she speak English ( I knew what the answer would be from her body language!) and when she said Non! I launched in to a non stop tirade in French back to her! I won!
She was that surprised that a Rosbif could speak such good vehement french that she backed down!
Stu
 
Nostrodamus said:
Look, before people send out to have me assassinated I have to say the following.

I will sometimes write a serious question in a way that will get some interesting responses. I think that this one certainly has.

I agree that it is important to make an effort when going to another country. I knew basic French before coming here but regional accents in France can be far worse than in England.

Since being here our French improved somewhat initially but over winter I have had daily French and English lessons with my neighbour who could not speak English. We also joined a French club on our first week of being here. This club will only speak French but will help you. We have also made friends with many French people and were invited to a Judges house for lunch. We have made the best efforts we can to integrate into the French society and as a result we have enjoyed our stay so much more. I can now understand and say quiet a lot but it is not an easy language.

We will be leaving soon for Spain so my son has spent the winter learning basic Spanish.

The important part is that we have made an effort and do understand the radio.

How many of those on a weekend jolly across the channel do not understand the language at all and may find themselves not understanding what was said on the radio.

French sailors on the whole are wonderful and enthusiastic sailors but believe me they will do the most unexpected things and being able to ask them what they are doing on the radio may save you a whole heap of trouble.

The other point is that life is so much easier and enjoyable if you know the language. My preconceptions about the French have changed so much and I really enjoy their way of life.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean, we were in Port Grimaud one year, my mate and his wife had a little boy with us. Both me an Nick can speak french pretty good. We needed a baby sitter and chatting to our neighbours, oldish french couple they volunteered. A few nights later, we invited them around for a drink, it was fascinating, the old boy had been a spitfire pilot in the war (free french?) and liked very much our duty free whisky! We chatted away all night very comfortably.
Another occassion, Total had just bought a concession offshore Angola, the big CEO had come to the base to have a look arround, again my french came in handy, we played boules after dinner, (we won!) the man was an old fashioned gentleman, his greeting with a handshake was "enchantee"
I was most impressed BUT again a little bit of french goes a long way!
Stu
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top