Can you speak a foreign language?

[GBJ]

Inspired by the off-topic discussion in another thread, I was wondering does anyone here speak any other languages?

I can speak a tiny bit of French (well, I know how to ask for a beer), but I’ve been learning Spanish for a while now. I’m nowhere near fluent, but can get by fairly easily in a holiday-style setting - again, mainly asking for beer.

Anyone ever been bothered to learn something new? Personally, aside from being helpful when abroad, I think it’s a great way of brain training/stimulation.

Oh, and no, talking bollocks does not count, before any smart arses get that one in.

 

[Napster]

Once upon a time I was fluent in German. I'm fairly decent in French, did Scottish Gaelic/Irish at uni, so can understand it OK, and due to my degree in linguistics, can pick up an understanding of a new language quite quickly, particularly if its Indo-European. I also studied Finnish (long word alert) and Arabic at uni, but only for research purposes.

 

[Mad Cyril]

It's never too late to learn another language.

It took five coppers to take me down when I was caught urinating in a churchyard in Paphos.

It could have all been avoided if the police spoke English.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Very basic pigeon French, so pretty much no.

My ex tried to get me to learn Punjabi but I didn't. No matter, we broke up!

 

[GBJ]

Once upon a time I was fluent in German. I'm fairly decent in French, did Scottish Gaelic/Irish at uni, so can understand it OK, and due to my degree in linguistics, can pick up an understanding of a new language quite quickly, particularly if its Indo-European. I also studied Finnish (long word alert) and Arabic at uni, but only for research purposes.

Did you learn these by studying (books etc), or through living where these languages are spoken primarily?

I’ve been using the Duolingo App to learn Spanish, and whilst it’s been good, and given me a decent foundation, It’s obviously not as good as actually conversing in Spanish, with a Spaniard, in Spain.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

When in Quebec you had to speak french (they would leave you bleeding in the street rather than speak english at you) and for someone who struggled with french at school I was surprised by how much I actually knew.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Grays Blue Junior, you have the ability to suprise I have to say.

 

[GBJ]

Very basic pigeon French, so pretty much no.

My ex tried to get me to learn Punjabi but I didn't. No matter, we broke up!

Working in East London over the last couple of years, I’ve been taught/picked up a couple of phrases in different Asian dialects.

Needless to say they’re all insults, panchod.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I learned French at school but have yet to visit La Rochelle to try it out.

 

[GBJ]

Grays Blue Junior, you have the ability to suprise I have to say.

You should never trust internet persona’s

 

[MK Shrimper]

Working in East London over the last couple of years, I’ve been taught/picked up a couple of phrases in different Asian dialects.

Needless to say they’re all insults, panchod.

Haha, definitely learnt and remembered those Some are VERY rude!

 

[GBJ]

When in Quebec you had to speak french (they would leave you bleeding in the street rather than speak english at you) and for someone who struggled with french at school I was surprised by how much I actually knew.

I’ve heard this one before actually. In fact, I’ve also heard that areas of France can be similar, where they simply won’t give you the time of day, unless you speak French.

I find the Spanish to be quite accommodating on the whole, when trying to converse using their language. Sometimes I have to slow it right down & think about what I’m trying to say, but they tend to be patient & fairly happy to see a Brit actually attempting it.

 

[Napster]

Did you learn these by studying (books etc), or through living where these languages are spoken primarily?

I’ve been using the Duolingo App to learn Spanish, and whilst it’s been good, and given me a decent foundation, It’s obviously not as good as actually conversing in Spanish, with a Spaniard, in Spain.

Studying mainly, linguistics gives you the tools to understand how a language is broken down (syntax, semantics, phonetics, phonology) and you can go from there. Ive been to France quite a few times recently and where we go, English is very very rare. So you're forced to speak the lingo.

 

[GBJ]

Haha, definitely learnt and remembered those Some are VERY rude!

Absolutely. I called a Pakistani colleague of mine a panchod one day, and he almost exploded with rage

Apparently Gandu is an accepted form of insult, but panchod is fighting talk.

 

[MK Shrimper]

DuoLingo downloaded.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Absolutely. I called a Pakistani colleague of mine a panchod one day, and he almost exploded with rage

Apparently Gandu is an accepted form of insult, but panchod is fighting talk.

My ex regularly called me a Bhenchod....and that's when we were getting on

 

[GBJ]

My ex regularly called me a Bhenchod....and that's when we were getting on

Haha foreign insults are exquisite.

Maybe @Tangled up in Blue can confirm this one - that’s if I can remember it correctly - I was told that if you ever said this Spanish term to another Spaniard, you need to put your fists up straight away, because it’ll be on instantly.

Yo mierda en tu familia muerta.

 

[GBJ]

Studying mainly, linguistics gives you the tools to understand how a language is broken down (syntax, semantics, phonetics, phonology) and you can go from there. Ive been to France quite a few times recently and where we go, English is very very rare. So you're forced to speak the lingo.

Ah right. And by that logic, once you’ve cracked it with one language, it’s interchangeable with others?

Could be wrong here, but I’m assuming the process is similar to conjugating verbs, for example? I.e. once you’ve learned the correct syntax for conjugation, then you can apply that to everything, barring the odd ones here and there?

 

[Supernaut]

I did a 6 month online Welsh course 8 years ago. Keep meaning to pick it up again but never find the time. I'm always amazed at how much I've retained though, it was a great course.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Yo mierda en tu familia muerta.

I'm not suprised if Babelfish is correct.