Languages and Linguistics

DFW

(58,650 posts)

5. I'm not fluent in any Asian languages, wish I were

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #4)

Sun Dec 20, 2020, 05:58 AM

Dec 2020

But living in Germany, a country already bordering on nine others, I have concentrated on European languages. As it is, they never expect Americans to know anything, and I can hold a coherent conversation in eight European languages besides English. Besides the obvious ones (French, Spanish, Italian and German), I can also get along fine in Russian, Swedish, Dutch and Catalan. Though a number of Americans know some Russian, either from old family connections or college studies, we are definitely NOT expected to know Dutch, Swedish or Catalan, and I have a trove of stories where I have left some people just as surprised as the Koreans in the video.

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American Boys Pretending to Not Speak Korean ( Actually Fluent ) - Prank - [ Sean Pablo ] [View all] yuiyoshida Dec 2020 OP

This happens to me all the time here in Europe DFW Dec 2020 #1

I believe Cherlez Theron tells a story where two guys are making some sexualized comments mitch96 Dec 2020 #2

Happens to me, too, but usually negative comments DFW Dec 2020 #3

I have a good friend who speaks Italian, German, PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2020 #4

I'm not fluent in any Asian languages, wish I were DFW Dec 2020 #5

One of my huge regrets in this life is that I never had a chance to live in another country PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2020 #6

My path did indeed lead me there DFW Dec 2020 #7

i'm impressed with their listening comprehension soryang Dec 2020 #8