We speak English because

[cojak]

We hate the French/Germans/Dutch/Italians//[insert nationality here] and wouldn’t dream of speaking their language like losers.

That was the response after I apologised for only speaking English when in contract for Nestle in the 00’s. Everyone was content with speaking ‘neutral’ English.

That’s why this comment piece from from the Guardian will never catch on.
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...uistic-justice

[eek]

That was the response after I apologised for only speaking English when in contract for Nestle in the 00’s. Everyone was content with speaking ‘neutral’ English.

That’s why this comment piece from from the Guardian will never catch on.
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...uistic-justice

Oh I make a joke about it and blame my education because I simply never learnt or understood phonics so can't sound out words which make foreign languages impossible for me to say.

I can understand French / German though which meant when I fly across Europe you had the English fool (I played to the stereotype because everyone loved it), which they could ignore by speaking German / French, occasionally interrupting (in English) to correct a misunderstanding...

[Dactylion]

But more importantly!

When did Nes-uls become Nes-lay

I remember that annoying little blond speccy git in my childhood and he sang:

"Nes-uls Milky-Bar"...
Then sometime 90's? 00's they started with this Nes-lay b0llix!!

What is the world coming to? It all went downhill form then!!! Blah Blah Gammon Gammon Boomer Boomer

[ladymuck]

I've always been embarrassed by my lack of ability with languages. I did a smattering of French and German at school, taking German GCSE but that's when learning ended and I don't really feel like I learnt anything practical.

In later life I've made attempts at Spanish and, more recently, Portuguese (European, not Brazilian) with very little success.

I am in awe of people who can communicate in more than one language and am always grateful to those who have learned English.

[SueEllen]

So in the UK all kids should be taught Spanish and/or Chinese?

Interestingly all my bi- and tri-lingual speaking family members learnt their other language(s) outside school. They have become fluent due to being placed in environments where people don't automatically speak English when they are around.

I suppose I should put more effort into the languages I understand...

[NotAllThere]

I learned French to a high level at school and retained it. I picked up German over the past twenty years, with only some formal instruction.

I've occasionally had to translated French to German and vice versa. Which is fun.

The name Nestlé comes from the founder - Henri Nestlé. But he was born Heinrich Nestle, in Frankfurt. He changed his name when he moved to French speaking Switzerland.

[vetran]

We speak English because we don't have to speak any other languages. The Empire was ruled in English (including America) but more importantly the the worlds movies are made in Hollywood.

[Dactylion]

I am in awe of people who can communicate in more than one language and am always grateful to those who have learned English.

I can communicate in many, many languages.

Well in the sense that in every country I have ever visited I have made an attempt to learn how to say:
Hello
Thank you
Please
2 beers (please)

And I have found smiling/gurning like an idiot and pointing at things helps too...

Oh and the lingua franca thing where you meet the waiters eye, act out signing something on your hand and nod...
meaning "Can I have the bill please"

[NotAllThere]

One of my friends speaks 10 languages fluently. Well, he says 10, but he has admitted to being rubbish at Maths.

[Fraidycat]

At the risk of getting banned again for posting an ancient videos.

This a hilarious old pop video of Adriano Celentano recreating what non-English speakers hear when they hear english (or atleast 60s era english pop songs)