Being spoken to in your native language
- Thread starter Dtox333
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I did a couple of Italian cruises in the past where the crew is supposed to speak up to five languages (Italian, English, Spanish, German, French). They can never place our native language (a Flemish dialect of Dutch) so they always just start speaking German to us because it kinda sounds similar.
If someone who doesn't know my language and tries to speak it I PUNCH THEIR FACE IN!!!
No but I don't mind, I mean often you still understand what he/she's trying to say.
And to answer question number 2, nope, never been spoken to in a language I don't know by mistake.
No but I don't mind, I mean often you still understand what he/she's trying to say.
And to answer question number 2, nope, never been spoken to in a language I don't know by mistake.
Never really happened before. Who would want to learn Dutch? Well, except my brother in law (a kiwi). But I can take it from him, because he's awesome.Dtox333 said:
No, I think it's funny. When I was in Rome with school, the natives for some reason always seemed to address me. Same thing happened in Prague. I can understand Italian a bit, but I couldn't speak a word of Czech if my life depended on it.Dtox333 said:
Oh wait, pivo is beer right? Okay, so one word.
That actually happens quite often down here in the sunny Philippines, where daily living requires a working knowledge of at least two out of about a dozen major languages (not simply dialects, mind you) and the average person is usually familiar with around four or five of them. When foreigners roll around, all they're usually familiar with is Filipino, which has a varied degree of use depending on which one of the seven thousand Philippine islands you're currently in.
That said, I'd only like to hear a foreigner speaking in one of the vernacular languages if they're familiar with the syntax and sentence formation of said language. Accent isn't as important, but would still be a plus.
However, the above only applies to regular conversation. If all they're planning on saying is a one-liner like "thank you" or whatnot, I'd much rather prefer it to be said properly accented.
That said, I'd only like to hear a foreigner speaking in one of the vernacular languages if they're familiar with the syntax and sentence formation of said language. Accent isn't as important, but would still be a plus.
However, the above only applies to regular conversation. If all they're planning on saying is a one-liner like "thank you" or whatnot, I'd much rather prefer it to be said properly accented.
I think it might be viewed as offensive if you, for example, try to talk to the cashier in spanish - since he might think that you think that he isn't good enough at talking english.
Personally though, I like it when people try to talk german to me - I don't know, I guess I feel a bit flattered when someone actively thinks about how he or she could make me more comfortable.
Personally though, I like it when people try to talk german to me - I don't know, I guess I feel a bit flattered when someone actively thinks about how he or she could make me more comfortable.
.Dtox333 said:
First of all you introduce yourself in that language and ask the man if he can speak the language.
Blurting out 'gacias' out of the blue is degrading. One time a bloke came to me and started speaking Arabic. Dear god that was funny, I'm whiter than a Aryan. So I explained to him that I'm a Russian Jew and that I don't understand him. Problem solved.
When someone tells me a phrase in Russian, which is not connected to anything just to say that he knows I'm Russian is degrading. It's annoying because it feels like they're making fun of me.
I don't know. My friend is a 4th generation British Indian, and he only speaks English (and even then he's not that good at it ^_^) so just because someone "looks" Spanish doesn't mean they speak it. In those situations I leave it well enough alone.
My advice is to leave the languages for when your actually travelling to that country, or just speak to everyone in Klingon or something.
My advice is to leave the languages for when your actually travelling to that country, or just speak to everyone in Klingon or something.
I have a native Spanish teacher at school (two actually, but only one is relevant) who often tries to use Polish words and sentences. We like it, frankly. He likes to learn (he already speaks English and Russian well), and it's kind of fun to have a foreigner interested in your language.
I've seen a lot of people claim to feel this way on the internet. I'm a native English speaker myself and English is my primary language, as an American. So I can't speak of that. But I think most people who do this are horrid trolls. Trying to make people feel bad for doing something good with their time like learn another language.
I do understand that some people feel needlessly exotified and demeaned that some think it's appropriate to speak to them in their native language, just because they're of a certain nationality. But a lot of the time it's just because someone has been interested in learning a foreign language for years, and have been desperate to have a chance to practice it with a native speaker. No ill is usually meant when someone speaks to you in your native tongue.
I'm glad that most people in the thread feel the same.
I do understand that some people feel needlessly exotified and demeaned that some think it's appropriate to speak to them in their native language, just because they're of a certain nationality. But a lot of the time it's just because someone has been interested in learning a foreign language for years, and have been desperate to have a chance to practice it with a native speaker. No ill is usually meant when someone speaks to you in your native tongue.
I'm glad that most people in the thread feel the same.
What if I were to walk up to you and start yelling "Bork bork bork!" like The Muppets' Swedish Chef? That's definitely real Swedish, right?IamQ said:
Being an American, I of course assume all non-Americans know English and just make up gibberish to piss off tourists.
LOL... now, that's just mean! Hell, I can't even pronounce the word 'Xhosa' properly!RhombusHatesYou said:
If I knew Mandarin, I'd teach you that... but Cantonese?! Crap, is it difficult to learn... >_>aprilmarie said:
Half of what you say can't be written down, half of what you write you don't say in normal conversation. And I'm having difficulty imagining you in a qipao... ¬_¬
Quoted purely for tehlulz... sorry! :3trollnystan said:
I think in real life, particularly if you are living somewhere that doesn't speak your native tongue, it would be a huge relief to have someone make an effort to talk to you in your own language, or even show that they can understand when you speak it (many immigrants who don't -speak- english well can still understand it pretty good, so just knowing they could speak more comfortably would help).LilithSlave said:
I've been debating learning Spanish because I've seen older Mexican immigrants trying very hard to speak to like a store clerk or what have you and explain what they need only to be treated a)rudely for not speaking fluent english and b)like a toddler because they can't express themselves properly. I'd like to be able to help in those situations.
I'm an American and my ancestors were some of the first American settlers. And that would offend the heck out of me. It would be like going up to a Chinese people and saying "ching chong nip nong wong".TheMagicLemur said:
Wait, so you mean -- oh man, no wonder the people at the China Wok groan when I go in there.LilithSlave said:
*gasps* How could you say something so hurtful? Actually I've worn shirts similar to the top half of those (are they dresses? Cause that's what they look like) And I don't look TOO bad in them. I can badly pronounce a few derogatory words and a funny phrase or two in Mandarin but that's the extent of my knowledge. OH! And one of my mates from Sweden agreed to help me learn to at least have a basic conversation in Swedish! *claps hands and dances around excitedly* I'd rather learn to speak it first honestly. And then learn to read it. Still. you should teach me. And talk to me more.SckizoBoy said:
People usually think twice when they have that sort of instinct around me. I look a bit on the "if you tried to punch me in the face, I would ruin you" side of things.RhombusHatesYou said:
All the same, I do try to avoid ticking people off if I don't have to.
So yea, my friend's Aussie friend was in town last August...I had to try soooooo hard not to say certain things that come naturally to me when he was around. I think I only mostly succeeded.
My natural vocabulary is very "pan-English speaking country" (+pirate +ye olden timey). I watch so much Top Gear and spend so much time talking to British guys that sometimes I get mixed up as to whether I'm using English or American spellings and pronunciation.
For example, I have no idea if "grey" or "gray" is the American spelling.
I automatically write "daemon", "armour", "honour", and "colour" instead of "demon", "armor", "honor", and "color".......etc etc etc
I say "boot" instead of "trunk", and "al-loo-min-e-um" instead of "ah-loo-min-um" sometimes......etc etc etc
If I spent time worrying about if I'm keeping my vocabulary restricted to the appropriate country I'd waste waaaaay too much time.
Oh yes, whenever I hear that I think it's rather droll, really ^^Sonicron said:Nah, I'm not offended. In fact, in most cases hilarity ensues - watching English folk fumble about with a few snippets of German is quite entertaining!
Though I have to say... I'm not completely innocent concerning this topic, when you hear me speak in English you'll hear a case of (relatively) heavy German Axe-Ent and eternal struggle with the th
I was told my English is understandable, though I really hope I'll find a way to improve my vocal skills in this regards, it's quite embarrassing for me.