12-29-2003, 01:14 PM | #561 |
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I can only speak of Norwegians - almost everyone speak English here, but more or less fluently, according to how much practise they've had. We have of course a great advantage in that we are exposed to English/American books, movies, TV-series (subtitled, not dubbed!), music, magazines, newspapers etc. all along. All children learn English at school, starting when they're about 8-9 yrs old. When I was young (alas - too many years ago, I've forgotten so much!) I also got to learn one language more, I could choose between German and French, and chose German. If I knew then what I know now, I think I would have chosen French instead, simply because it seems that Germans speak English much better than French people.
I've had some Frensh lessons and know some of the basics, but I think I would be in serious trouble if I were to be left alone in a small French countryside village. And I'm currently trying to learn Spanish, but I don't get to practise so a Spaniard would probably not understand much of my talking. As for the EU to use only one language, I think it will impossible for a long time to come. Personally I cringe at the mere thought of it. Should I abandon Norwegian for, let's say, English? No! Language is too much tied up with national identity, culture and history to give it up. And I would say Europeans are very aware of their nationality! Yes, something would certainly be lost.
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12-29-2003, 01:29 PM | #562 |
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Hmmm... brings to mind another American phenomenon. Remember that the vast majority of us are displaced Europeans. Yet, most of us don't at all speak the language of our European ancestors (unless it was English ). In fact, for many of us, THAT would be 4 or 6 or whatever languages.
What has been observed, I believe, is this: The generation that immigrates to America tries very hard to hold onto the language and culture they had in "the old country"... we still see this in major metropolitan areas like my own Chicago (most immigrants head toward an urban center) where there are enclaves of different language-speaking groups. In the past, that was Italian, German, Swedish, Polish, etc. Now it's Spanish (often sub-divided by country of origin), Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Arabic... still some Polish, Russian and other eastern European groups - and a little of about everything else. The NEXT generation often wants to abandon all that... they want to 'fit in' with all the other people their age - maybe they're rebelling against their parents too. But they often end up rejecting the language and culture of their parents' homeland (not sure if this is so true of the Asian immigrant cultures). The generation following is often curious about the culture and language of the immigrant grandparents. My own situation is a little different. My father's family can be traced to these shores from about the 1690's - but my mother was an immigrant (born in a German-speaking town in Czechoslovakia - they moved to Austria after the war). So we never spoke German at home (my father didn't speak it) but I think my siblings and I felt an attachment to our Germanic heritage. Most of us took German language in high school. We also lived in small-town America, far from any urban centers... immigrants were rare until we moved to a university town when I was 11 or 12. |
12-29-2003, 02:02 PM | #563 |
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I speak Swedish, English and French fluently. I can also speak a bit of Spanish. The Swedes are in general fluent in English. Like the Norwegians Artanis mentioned, we are exposed to English everyday through books, magazines, TV etc. Unlike the French, German and Italians, we never dub our films, we subtitle them.
In Sweden the kids start with English at an early age and then they get to choose another language to learn as well. Often they choose from French, German or Spanish. Most people I know speak multiple languages, like 3, 4 or even 5 languages. I don’t think we will ever see a single language take over the EU. Like Artanis said the languages of the member states are closely tied up with their national identities, and the European countries will always try to protect their identities. Something would indeed be lost if Europe was to give up all its languages for say English. I don’t think that too much time is spent on languages. Like you, Valandil, said the situation is different than in the US. Our neighbours don’t speak the same language as we do, so it is necessary to learn languages so that you can communicate with them. It is a lot easier to manage in a foreign country if you know the language, you can understand what is said on TV, you can understand signs in the street and read newspapers, and you can talk with people. Even though many understand English, not all of them do. Then you might have to speak German or Spanish or another language which they might understand. Also, by learning a lot of languages you get even better at understanding other languages which you haven’t been taught. For example, by knowing French and Spanish you can manage quite well in Italy since the Italian language is quite similar. The Europeans also get to practice their language skills almost whenever they travel. Countries with other languages are not far away, as is the case with the US. Though, for many Frenchmen it is a bit prestigious not to speak any other language than French. Some kind of national pride. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I have heard that many Americans think the same way, that it is sort of elegant to only speak English. [edit] Added Swedish to the list of languages that I speak. My mother tongue
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12-29-2003, 02:30 PM | #564 | |
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Most people here view one as a bit more cultured if they can speak additional languages. We're likely to be quite impressed when we meet someone who can speak 4 or 5 or more (lots of Africans I've met speak like 7 or something!!!). |
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12-29-2003, 02:48 PM | #565 | ||||
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12-29-2003, 04:21 PM | #566 | |
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As a swedish-speaking finn I'm part of a minority. We differ quite a lot from the finnish-speaking finns, and our language is very important to us. On top of that, finns get frightened very quickly, if someone mentions such an idea. Before we became independent, the russian leaders of that time tried to make russian the language of Finland. So I absoultely think there would be a cultural loss if we just had one language in Europe. Hope it'll never happen!
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01-01-2004, 07:38 AM | #567 |
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Hey, Eärniel. How do you say 'my brain is fried' in Nederlands?
Do write some more in Flemish, that lovely language of yours, similar to other Germanic languages but with double letters everywhere. Last edited by Linaewen : 01-01-2004 at 07:43 AM. |
01-01-2004, 08:59 AM | #568 |
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Mijn hersens zijn gefrituurd.
Of course since 'fried' has different meanings, the Dutch sentence will change with the different meaning. I used it here in the way that belgian fries are fried. It seemed appropriate. De eerste sneeuw die valt op de stille stad omwald. Het kleurt de vele daken wit, en spaart ook de wegen niet. En valt de sneeuw snel of traag, de kinderen zien het even graag.
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01-02-2004, 03:44 AM | #569 |
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Das ist sehr schön! What is it? I like it so much I've put it in my sig. (Underneath all that Swede stuff )
Thanks! Still can't understand much Dutch The other Germanic languages are easier for me to understand. |
01-02-2004, 07:40 AM | #570 |
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It's a just little poem about the first snow. We got a nice layer of snow on new yearsday, which is rather rare so I thought of posting that.
Shall I translate it?
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01-02-2004, 10:29 AM | #571 | |
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My German is rusty, but I can still guess at a little of it... but like I say, I'm even forgetting my German now. The first snow (of) the ___? On the quiet town ___? ... ... ... The children, their ___? ___? ___? |
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01-02-2004, 08:01 PM | #572 | |
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You have translated correctly: The first snow ______ On the quiet town ___ .... ... ... The children, ______
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01-04-2004, 11:22 PM | #573 |
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Wir haben die gleichen Wörter verstanden, Valandil!
*Awaits translation into French, or even better, Swedish or English* C'è qualcuno che parla italiano? Cin cin! (I find that 'Cin cin' meaning 'cheers' is funny) Last edited by Linaewen : 01-05-2004 at 07:42 AM. |
01-05-2004, 09:13 AM | #574 | |
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My German used to be pretty strong... took 3 years in HS with a very good teacher (all her students did well in state-wide tests)... but with all the intervening years, and the vary rare opportunities (and no real need) to practice, it's fading more and more... Oder, soll ich sagen?: Ich habe drei Jahre Deutsch in der Hoch Schule gehabt... mit einer sehr gute Lehrerin! |
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01-05-2004, 09:47 AM | #575 | |||
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01-05-2004, 09:51 AM | #576 | |||
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01-05-2004, 10:14 AM | #577 | |
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Here's the translation of the little poem, but it doesn't rhyme anymore. The first snow that falls on the quiet walled town. It colours the many roofs white, en also doesn't spare the roads. And falls the snow fast or slow, The children like it just as gladly. Oh Lin, here's another thing for your sig: "De Zweden komen!"
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01-05-2004, 10:23 AM | #578 | ||
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I kept forgetting to ask you for that. Dank je wel! (Det verkar som jag altid säger 'tack' för nånting.) Last edited by Linaewen : 01-05-2004 at 10:25 AM. |
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01-05-2004, 12:04 PM | #579 | |
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Last edited by Grey_Wolf : 01-05-2004 at 12:06 PM. |
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01-05-2004, 12:08 PM | #580 | |
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edit: I'm sorry... that just couldn't be helped. Last edited by Ruinel : 01-05-2004 at 12:11 PM. |
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