tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883894757442110760.post4854644127361395252..comments2023-10-28T18:40:41.523+08:00Comments on Freeman Carter: Why can't you speak English?Freeman Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582927113168375477noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883894757442110760.post-84645765683388637982014-03-10T20:35:42.275+08:002014-03-10T20:35:42.275+08:00It doesn't take much knowledge of the language...It doesn't take much knowledge of the language to connect with the locals. The most important thing is attitude and confidence. That, and good pronunciation.Freeman Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582927113168375477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883894757442110760.post-45576049046033150882014-03-10T03:31:04.614+08:002014-03-10T03:31:04.614+08:00Ugh I was guilty of this when I was traveling in E...Ugh I was guilty of this when I was traveling in Europe. I think I'm a more sensitive traveler now, and I do try to learn the language wherever I may be. The locals really love it when I attempt to speak their language, even though I may be butchering the words.Aleahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08992672443267478687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883894757442110760.post-6337983705659118792014-03-09T11:04:57.766+08:002014-03-09T11:04:57.766+08:00The French are more sensitive about foreigners bas...The French are more sensitive about foreigners bastardizing their language than most. In Europe, the level of English is high and it makes sense to use the best common language between speakers. If you travel in non-English speaking Asian countries, you'd do well to learn the local language.Freeman Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582927113168375477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883894757442110760.post-68745692888810828592014-03-09T10:09:24.191+08:002014-03-09T10:09:24.191+08:00Although there is a natural generosity of spirit t...Although there is a natural generosity of spirit that makes most people patient with a non-native speaker who is trying to communicate in the local language, that generosity is outweighed by frustration if the speaker is unable to communicate effectively in it. I remember one time in a restaurant or hotel in France where I had tried to speak French, but was asked to speak English because my interlocutor's English was much better than my French. Since then I have been a little shy about trying to speak the local language in another country, where my command of the language is weak. In other countries that I've been to (mostly in Europe), the locals know I'm from the States, and their English is usually better than my facility in their language, and I have often felt that they'd prefer that I speak English. It's different if I am living in the other country for an extended time. In that case, I want to learn the local language and use it when appropriate. But there too, if I don't yet speak the language well enough, my effort may seem more frustrating than appreciated to the locals. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com