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When you go abroad do you bother to learn the language?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Since I might be going to Thailand for a few months I thought I might try and learn a bit of it - and found a few resources online but it sure is hard ..
I always thinks it's polite to learn the basics like please, thank you and to count to at least 10.
BTW this is one of the free resources I found
http://www.byki.com
Has some useful free downloadable flash cards for loads of languages.
I always thinks it's polite to learn the basics like please, thank you and to count to at least 10.
BTW this is one of the free resources I found
http://www.byki.com
Has some useful free downloadable flash cards for loads of languages.
Post edited by JustV on
0
Comments
Think you're definitely right about learning the basics, its only polite.
Thats exactly what im like with french
When I was 16 I moved to Austria, didn't speak a word of German when I got there but I got on really well with the language and my German is very good indeed these days (even if I do say so myself ). For a long time I was stuck in the rut of understanding everything but barely daring to say two words for fear of grammar problems or being laughed at. You have to force yourself really, and make the mistakes, if you want your speaking to improve. It can only really improve through... speaking :razz:
It's extremely difficult to learn Swedish (and I had this to an extent with German, too) because the level and frequency of English being spoken here is very high. You have to force the native speakers to speak with you in their language, because they're always terribly keen to improve and practice their English. When I'm in Germany and Austria especially I talk to EVERYONE in German, even English people! When they reply in English regardless of your effort (how rude, though not a common trait of Germans, more of another nationality whose name I will not mention) I just continue replying to them in German until I've managed to bully them more than they were bullying me! At first I had to really force myself though, as it's soooo easy when everyone speaks/tries to speak English to you.
If I was going to live somewhere (regardless of the length of time - three months or three years) I would definitely at least put the effort in. It's easiest to learn once you're there though, immersion is the best way!
Luckily I was a GCSE and A level German student, so my many visits to both of those countries (including living with 2 families for a while) gave me the perfect chance to practise what I'd learnt.
I feel a bit strange going to another country then going to order food in English, but sometimes, what can you do?
As a linguist (nominally at least), I do try to learn a bit, enough to get by and not look like a total fool. I generally find languages quite easy so learning enough to get by generally isn't too much trouble.