The Cellar - Language Powers

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Klingon? I know most of you nerds know how to speak it anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud (Post 438705)

you asked for the second most "important" language. Importance is a pretty vague criterium. I think other than English, it would depend on the part of the world you are in, the business you are in, etc.

For me, it's certainly Spanish. I live on the border and in a town that is 80% Hispanic. I would also argue that in the US, Spanish is the number two language all around, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Cloud, it sounds like, for you, English is the second most important language.

Nah, Cloud would rather communicate with us, than her neighbors.

Pas de commentaire.

I find automated business lines are in spanish and english. If I want english I have to 'opt out' by pushing button #2.
The products I buy have secondary spanish labels as well.
In my last job this new worker, in a different department whom I never met before approached me speaking in spanish. I thought he had an attitude so when he asked me why I don't speak spanish I kindly said," because I don't HAVE to" and walked away. It is so like our system is set up to help people everyone thinks it should be their way. If I go to another country I'll be sure to try to learn the language of the land and not pressure the people there about why they can't speak MY language.

No I don't think spanish is most imortant...just necessary with the great migration.

The other"auxiliary" language is French as well as our own of English.

I only speak English. I can understand French if spoken slowly (I haven't spoken it myself since 1988, but am remembering it because my Manager on Saturdays is from Togo, an East African former French colony) a little German and tourist Italian and Spanish. I can swear in Dutch and Punjabi.

IMHO I think those languages most foreign to us are most important - Japanese, Chinese, Indian (although the last two have dialects so diverse there is no official language). To learn to converse with people who have not only a different language but a different structure is to me a huge commitment. Dwellars with good memories will know I signed up for Chinese but the course was cancelled - I'll look again (NOW I HAVE A JOB!!!! sorry, still excited)

? I speak decent Spanish. Read French about 60%. But always more comfortable in English.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl (Post 438976)

If you learn Mandarin or Cantonese, you'll be understood everywhere in China, and if you learn 'Tokyo Japanese' you'll be understood everywhere in Japan. One thing I find very interesting about Japanese, is that there are island where the language itself has evolved into other dialects, so in order to communicate with someone on an island that you can see, you have to speak a dialect from a totally different area of the country.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stress Puppy (Post 439636)

If you learn Mandarin or Cantonese, you'll be understood everywhere in China,

This is horribly inaccurate.

He didn't say you'd be understood by everyone, just everywhere. :D