General Chat

Foggy has just managed to make the point I was going to make as I read through the first page -- inadvertently, I imagine.

What I was thinking about the OP was:

Just imagine what that same English person would say about people who have lived in England that long and don't speak a word of English.

It would be for the same reason: they conduct their daily life among people who speak their first language. (It's actually important for people to be able to do that, because it's through their language/cultural community that they learn about their new society and then feel comfortable and do make contact with the broader society.)

But I'll bet that someone like that would think that the sauce was purely for their own goose, and no one else's gander.


Uzzi, if you're commenting on government offices having staff who speak multiple languages -- believe me, that is way better than having people bring their own interpreters, both for the government office and for the individuals. The fact that some friend or family member speaks two languages (more or less) doesn't mean they can interpret in one direction, let alone both! I know, from long experience in immigration. There are many people in the population who speak other languages fluently, so it makes sense to hire them: they understand the service they're delivering and the requirements for whatever it is, and they can communicate directly with the clientele about it in that language.

We have two official languages in Canada, English and French, and federal government offices in most places have to be able to provide service in both. Many local government offices also provide services in other languages that are common in the area.

My neighbourhood contains many people whose first language isn't English, and my community health centre (I choose to go to a CHC rather than a private practice) has staff who speak several languages. It's important for people to be able to communicate accurately about their health. That does include me, though! and I would have thought they might assign someone who spoke fluent English to call me about my Pap results last week ... ;) (And yes, I am going to say so next time I'm in.)

Georgygirl it's surprising how pleased most Spanish are if you try even if armed with a phrase book . If you try, they try to understand and help.

Deb please and thankyou should really be essential even for holidaymakers. It's part of being polite so good for you to learn that small bit even.

Foggy What can I say I do know that;s it's not just the English ex-pats but also the es-pats in England. That when I lived there made me fume, infact it still does. Here in Spain if you want anything official you take an interpretor with you ..They do not have English speakers just for the ex-pats.

Uzzi

Good for you, you have made an effort of speaking the language of the country you have chosen to live in, and you are trying more

I think that is right, the least you can do is try and speak the Language (which you are doing)

When I go abroad I always try to learn a couple of words before I go (like Please and Thankyou) not much I know but I feel it goes a long way. When the people can see you have made a bit of an effort. they dont mind if they cant understand what I am saying Actions are very good :))

I think the english people are very lazy with learning another language

So hats of to you for trying

Deb K

Unfortunately this not only related to Brits living abroad.
You only have to go to places like Bradford, Bolton or Southall in London to find examples of people who do not even try speak English.
Its unfortunate, but its how it is.

Hi Uzzi,
Some years ago we went to a remote cafe in the middle of Ibiza, they spoke no english, the menu was in spanish, we managed to muddle our way through the menu using the bit of spanish i knew, after we had eaten, the waitress who was an elderly lady tapped me on the shoudler and said, "you english? you speak espanol? magnifico, gracios"
I must admit i felt quite chuffed, my spanish is, to say the least basic, but taking the trouble to learn just a few phrases-priceless....................

It's okay Kevin you post away, I understand that my plot isn't yours, I also understand that your post might be the most serious thing that you can comment on because your blood is boiling.
Post away Kev

I was in ASDA today doing some shoping when this man pushed to the front line thats makes my blood boil

Yes Gail this person is proud (by the sounds of it) that they have lived in this country for 15 or so years and NOT have learnt the language.

Even the holiday makers or the seasonal dwellers know more Spanish

Sorry Uzzi.

I just scanned you post and got the gist!

The fact that you are speaking of Brit residents, is more hard to swallow!

Common courtesy is all that is asked. Even please and thankyou is a start. But to guess English should be spoken by all.....I don't think so! x

Gail good for you ,

I'm not actually talking about the holiday makers ...do not get me on to them at all, but the people who have chosen to live here all year round year in and year out ...I have been here 6yrs the person in the 1st post reckons since the year dot in actual fact probably 15yrs ... all year every year day in day out. thats a lot of years not to learn to say hello and thankyou. and have a bloody shitty attitude

Oh Uzzi!

I hate to rock the Scottish /English divide!. but, hay ho!!

I am Scots, as my name would suggest! OH and I love to visit Spain, Tenerife, especially, of late.

We find that a few common words used to the locals, is greeted with thanks.

Hola, gracias, de nada, la cuenta por favor.. You get the idea.

We find that a certain age group of English holiday makers, in general,(But there are exceptions) take it as a given, that everyone should speak English. We have actually been scoffed at for using these common phrases!


Hence why we like to let it be known , that we are from Scotland, NOT, England!

Gailx

who-ever deleted I am sorry if I didn't answer you personally ..I'm not good at that I answer points raised (small brain see can't hold a lot of info)


lol better say thanks to Jane ..Jane yes it is typical English and nooo I won't be speaking the lingo in 6mths but I will be able to talk to their dog in spanish and invite them to a BBQ

Joy kids are so easy to teach ur cous must love it , up until last year my interprator (sp) was a 7yr old who moved here at 4 and sadly has gone back to the UK but he will never lose that Spanish.

Motown I think the French are less accomadating to the Brits even my Dad whospoke fluent French had problems ..mind he did speak patiou (sp) french with a yorkshire accent. spoke french french (if ya see what I mean) perfect .

Beverley I understand that they would like to practice their english on us when it's a holiday resort. I am talking about long time ex-pats that the staff know because they see often ..and never hola or gracias

Nightwatchman

My problem isn't my sensitivity, my outrage (which isn't a problem) is the brits who refuse to join in with as you said a beautiful country, No we are not all equiped with abiltity to learn a language ...take me I have been here 6 yrs but we all are equipped to be polite to our hosts and at least learn hello and thankyou .. trust me they learn dos cervezas quick enough .

edit to say ....after 6 yrs I can say hello thankyou in 4 languages.
I think nothing of a morning of speaking English, Spanish, French, Dutch and german that's only the hello's or goodmornings ..

buenas noches joven Uzzi! veo tu PROBEM su sensibilidad! y decir que él tiene problema, no usted! asegúrese de España es un país hermoso con un lenguaje bello! pero no todos estamos dotados en el aprendizaje lenguajes! Por eso digo ignorar y disfrutar!

hi uzzi ,my cous has lived in spain maybe 15 years [ish]hes recently been helping spanish classes learn english .which is commical really as he comes from somerset.i have this mental pic of the spanish kids all talking like they come from somerset.

tis i....manuel...
joking aside,he loves it.and the kids have helped him too.so its like swings and roundabouts.

This is a typical British attitude!.I think what makes it easy for us is that most other Nationalities are taught English.When we go to France,Italy or wherever we always try to learn at least a few words or sentences ,just to get by .But as someone said here ,because everyone speaks English we tend to sit back and let them do the talking lol
Go for it Uzzi....I expect you to be speaking the lingo in 6 months !!!!!!

I actually put this on general (by error) and have decided to leave it there anyway .. No need to reply to both threads. It deserves to be on both 'cos it does make peed orf


I was talking to somebody earlier who has lived out here "for more years than I care to remember"
To which I replied oh good you can help me with my Spanish

Now I admit after 6 years out here I haven't learnt that much which is to my disgrace, but I do know enough to get by in shops etc and to be polite. My excuse is living heavily amongst ex-pats. Mind that will change in October when I move to a sector with many Spanish residents.

Anyway the person I was speaking to replied that they don't speak Spanish at all, after why should we they all speak english and if they don't they should seeing as 'we' are putting money into their economy.

I was actually gobsmacked. They are actually quite wrong also as many of the older residents on here do not speak English which I pointed out to the person only to be told well that maybe so but they aren't missed as there are enough english language speakers about. When asked how she got on at the shop where also few speak english (well they can understand some but won't if you can't be bothered to try with them) The answer was pointing and speaking slowly and if that doesn't work shopping where they understand.

I'm appalled at the attitude and will be making a point of talking with my new Spanish neighbours. T'is a shame because it would be nice to have english around but not with that attitude to their adopted countrymen (and women) .

One good that has come out of the conversation :- I will get that Spanish course out again and learn more. he he and practice it on my new neighbours. who already think I'm a loon and smile tolerantly me. They don't know what they have let themselves in for ...It would have been better to close the blinds and locked the gate.

Seriously though it's does make me mad it's not the not learning of the language but the 'why should we' . Why because it's their country that we have chosen and they have allowed us to live in.

hasta luego

gracias para escuchar