Lingusitics How many foreign languages do you speak/read?

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The discussion revolves around the language proficiency of various individuals, highlighting their native languages and foreign language skills. Many participants mention English as their native language, with varying degrees of fluency in other languages such as German, French, Spanish, Russian, and Finnish. There is a notable emphasis on the challenges of maintaining language skills, especially when not regularly practiced. Some participants express surprise at the number of people who claim to speak two foreign languages, suggesting that this might be more common among well-educated individuals. The conversation also touches on cultural aspects, such as the influence of American English on other languages and the unique linguistic characteristics of different regions. Additionally, there are humorous exchanges about dialects and the complexities of learning languages, as well as personal motivations for language learning, including family heritage and travel plans. Overall, the thread reflects a diverse range of language experiences and the social dynamics of multilingualism.

How many foreign languages do you speak/read?

  • I speak no other language except my native language

    Votes: 18 25.0%
  • I speak/read one foreign language

    Votes: 23 31.9%
  • I speak/read two foreign languages

    Votes: 17 23.6%
  • I speak/read three or more foreign languages

    Votes: 17 23.6%

  • Total voters
    72
  • #91
Coincidentally, I just received this as an e-mail from a friend.



The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c".. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f".. This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi TU understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

If zis mad you smil, pleas pas on to oza pepl.[/color]



It's not quite Esperanto... :biggrin:
 
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  • #92
Danger said:
Coincidentally, I just received this as an e-mail from a friend...

...It's not quite Esperanto... :biggrin:


That's awesome. :smile:
 

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