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Help[Opinions] Re: Out of interest....
in reply to a message by AdelheidAnne
That's interesting. I feel the same as you about people not wanting to learn another language. I'm very intolerant of any Gael who can't speak Irish, and doesn't want to learn how. I'm only 14, so I don't claim to be completely fluent in it (I will be, someday), but some people can't go much further than "Conas atá tú?" (How are you?) It's like you can't speak your own language. (Que my signature!) Plus, I think Irish is far more beautiful that English. I don't know why we don't speak it all the time, as a first language rather than a second one. Many people can also speak basic French over here, too. I love learning languages!
This message was edited 5/6/2009, 12:42 PM
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There isn't much of a need in the US to learn other languages. I majored in Russian and spent a summer in Moscow. My biggest problem there was that once people hear your accent, they automatically start speaking English. How can I learn their language if the native speakers won't use it with me when I use it. Also, there's a difference between Spanish and Norwegian. Most people can say Spanish names the way they should be said, probably because there are so many Mexican (Hispanic) immigrants and a neghboring country speaks it. As for Norwegian, not many people know it here. I can see how they can be confused. I hate when they pronounce the j too.
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There seems to be a general ignorance of other languages and cultures in America which is embarrassing. Even if you don't study the language you'd think you would at least pick up on a few things (i.e. do not order a "kay-sa-dill-ah"). But yeah the foreign language programs in US public schools are severely lacking. I had to do three years of French 1 because each school I transferred to wouldn't accept the fact that I might already be able to say 'banana' in French. Sigh.
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