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Subject:Re: Learn a new language From:anastasia -at- joost -dot- cx To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 13 Jun 2003 06:38:32 -0600
I'd like to pitch in my 2 eurocents and offer a perspective from "the
other side". (I'm hoping this is not too OT or ugly :-)
Generally, there are two main situations when you might consider learning
another language for the sake of courtesy (as opposed to for the sake of
survival):
1. You are a "minority" within a foreign group/company/country, even
though everyone speaks your language
2. You are part of the "majority", and the "foreigners" are a minority
within your native environment.
In the first case, learning a language is almost a must. When everyone
else is making an effort to speak a language that is comfortable for you
(and not for them), it is only normal that you try to speak that foreign
language -- both as recognition of the others' efforts and as a show of
gratitude.
In the second case, I do not think that speaking a few words of the
"foreigner's" language would improve communication. Worse, your good
intentions may very well be interpreted in a negative manner.
I have lived outside my native country for most of my life, and speak 3
languages fluently. Being well integrated, and having a fair mastery of
the language, I can say that I did *not* appreciate it when the "natives"
blurted out a few sentences in my language. Here are some of the reasons:
1. I found that most of the times, people did it only to show off their
skills. All they wanted was to show me either how cultured they were, or
how understanding they were to my situation as a foreigner. And no, the
fact that they knew how to say "Hello" in my native language did not help
us communicate any better than we already did.
2. If I am the foreigner and I do not speak the language very well, being
addressed in my native language tells me that my language skills are so
terrible and my accent is incomprehensible to a point when the "natives"
feel that learning a few words in _my_ language would be an improvement.
(Yes, I know I'm a bit paranoid)
3. When I speak in my native language to a fellow expatriate, I do it
because I want to reconnect with my culture and my roots. Often, such
conversations are filled with nostalgia, or with stories of how difficult
it is sometimes to be far from home. In that context, someone putting in
their "Hello" is not really appropriate.
4. Discrimination and false assumptions. People assume that just because
you are foreign, you do not know how to speak the local language. Many
Europeans who live in Japan speak fluent Japanese, yet rarely speak it.
This is because many Japanese assume that "white people don't speak
Japanese".
Yes, I do realize that your intentions may be nowhere near any of the
above categories, but we "foreigners" get too much of that kind of
attention and are often on the defensive. :)
So, what are the things that you *can* do to improve communication?
First, bear with the foreigners' struggles to tame your language. Be
patient when it takes them a long time to find the right word or to
compose a sentence.
Second, why not offer some practical advice about your
company/city/country. How do you fill in tax forms? What local museums
could you recommend? What is the best restaurant in town?
Finally, if you want to get to know and befriend those "foreigners", don't
try to impress them. Instead, try to understand them. A question or two
about their homeland, their culture, or their perception of your own
country can start passionate conversations!
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