How many foreign languages do you speak/read?

  • Context: Lingusitics 
  • Thread starter Thread starter tehno
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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the number of foreign languages spoken by forum members, revealing a trend where most participants report fluency in two foreign languages. The languages mentioned include English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Finnish, Croatian, Japanese, and Chinese. Participants emphasize the importance of native language context when discussing language proficiency. The conversation also touches on educational systems in various countries, particularly the Netherlands, where learning multiple languages is mandatory.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of language proficiency levels (fluent, semi-fluent, basic)
  • Familiarity with common European languages (English, German, French, Spanish)
  • Awareness of language learning challenges and cultural contexts
  • Knowledge of educational systems related to language instruction
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of multilingualism on cognitive development
  • Explore language learning resources for less commonly taught languages
  • Investigate the educational policies regarding language instruction in the Netherlands
  • Learn about the cultural significance of language in identity formation
USEFUL FOR

Language learners, educators, linguists, and anyone interested in the dynamics of multilingualism and cultural exchange.

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 have 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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