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How Many Different Languages Can You Speak?

Discussion in 'Evolution of Language' started by Babs Hunt, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. Patsy Faye

    Patsy Faye Supreme Member
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    @Gloria Mitchell - definitely !
    I wish I had learnt Italian,.For me, the most beautiful of all languages
     
    #16
  2. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    Well if you want to be able to understand and talk to others who speak a different language than you it would definitely be a good thing to learn the language. It will also make your life in another country much easier too. :)
     
    #17
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  3. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
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    Yes...but what about all those who move to the US....and expect someone to continuing to interpt for them...vs learning the language?
     
    #18
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  4. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    As it is, struggling school districts have to hire people who can deal with multiple languages in order to accommodate students from other countries, who are now able to demand that we cater to them, rather than that they learn English. A case in point, Lewiston, Maine.

    Lewiston Public Schools (LPS) is a school district headquartered in Lewiston, Maine.

    Demographics
    As of 2014 the district has over 5,000 students. The most common non-English language spoken by students is Somali, with speakers making up 90% of the district's students who don't have English as a native language. The remainder speak about 23 other languages. Out of the total student body the percentage which qualifies for free or reduced lunches is 69%.
     
    #19
  5. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    I just love how we can start off talking about one thing and then take off anywhere we feel like going. :)

    That's one thing I really love about this Forum too. :)

    I know it used to be that those who wanted to become citizens of the United States did have to learn to speak English but I have no idea if that is true anymore or not. And since there are so many people here illegally now...classes can be offered to teach them English...but they probably won't show up.

    Those who employ those who are here illegally must not really care if they speak English or not...as long as they do their jobs.
     
    #20
  6. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    Children in school learn English easily, I did.

    It's the older folks at home who don't have a job that have a harder time.
     
    #21
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  7. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    I agree. I have an Uncle who married a Spanish lady and as they had kids she taught to them talk in English and Spanish at the same time. :)
     
    #22
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  8. Martin Alonzo

    Martin Alonzo Supreme Member
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    English, good in profanity, fair is slang, countryside Spanish and enough Japanese for teaching judo.
     
    #23
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  9. Spencer Berrett

    Spencer Berrett Veteran Member
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    English. High School Spanish, not much. I can travel to Mexico & order food and drink, get a doctor, ask for police assistance. I understand Japanese phrases common in anime, an idiom that has been bastardized in the last 10 years. The most common word in the world is "OK".
     
    #24
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  10. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    My son works in the language department at a local university. He speaks puertoguiese, Spanish, French, and Italian. He also learned some Turkish at one time when he was dating a Turkish girl. Languages seem to come rather easily for him. He says it's because he's good in music. Anyway both his son and daughter speak Italian fluently and some Spanish and have a good foundation in English. The boy recently spent a couple weeks in Germany and said he didn't have much of a problem. I think it must be a gene. I seem to be the only dumb bunny in the family.
     
    #25
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2017
  11. Ted Richards

    Ted Richards Veteran Member
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    I think that is my problem in learning another language, I do not have any music ability, I can't carry a rune in a bucket! That became very apparent in the military when I had to learn Morse Code. I memorized the individual letters but I could never get the rhythm. I went to school with Mexican American kids and could never learn much Spanish.
     
    #26
  12. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
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    LOL....how did I miss this?... when's the next class? I've always wanted to learn English properly... :cool:
     
    #27
  13. Sacheen BrightEagle

    Sacheen BrightEagle Veteran Member
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    English and Francais.
     
    #28
  14. Sheldon Scott

    Sheldon Scott Supreme Member
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    I speak Arkansas-Oklahoma border English, a smattering of deep south English, a fair amount of Texas and Louisiana English and, I hate to admit it but I'm beginning to learn some California English.
     
    #29
  15. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
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    ha!! good thing I speak to you online... I doubt I'd understand a word you're saying in real life.... :D:D:D:D:D
     
    #30
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