Do you think it is important to learn the local language when you live abroad?
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
May 3, 2012 3:21pm CST
I know a man from Australia. He was been living in Denmark for more than 20 years, but he doesn't speak Danish and he is not interested in learning it. I once asked him about it and he replied: "The Danes understand English, so there is no reason to learn Danish" I find it hard to understand his opinion. It is true that most Danes understand English, but personally I would find it frustrating to live in a country that long without learning the language. You don't understand what people are talking about, you can't read the newspaper or the letters that you receive etc. I have lived abroad myself and I always tried to learn the local language. I thought that it was too complicated to live there if I didn't speak the local language. I didn't want to feel left out and I didn't want to depend on my friends whenever I needed a translation.
What do you think? Could you live in a country where you did understand the local language? Would you try to learn the language as fast as possible or would you ask people to speak to you in English?
8 people like this
61 responses
@JohnRok1 (2051)
•
4 May 12
A relative of mine is in a relationship with a Danish girl, and I'm really just repeating what she told me. Danish is a much more difficult language to learn than the other Germanic or Scandinavian languages, because the language doesn't conform to grammatical rules. The only way to speak it is to grow up speaking it.
In the absence of a Danish contributor to this discussion (apologies if you're there and I've missed you), I would suggest that if an immigrant doesn't learn Danish in Denmark, the Danes understand why, and, really, they don't mind at all.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Jun 12
What the Danish girl said about our language is true. The Danish grammar is difficult. The nouns are difficult for foreigners, because there are no rules, sometimes you have to use "en" and sometimes you have to use "et". A Japanese girl who was living in Denmark once asked me if I could explain the rules about nouns, but I had to tell her that there are no rules, you simply have to memorize the different categories. The pronounciation is also quite difficult because we have 3 letters that don't exist in other languages.
Many foreigners find our language hard to learn, but it is possible to learn it and I have met many foreigners who have learned our language. They make grammar mistakes when they speak, but they are able to express themselves. I even met one woman who learned Danish in 2 months. I am was really impressed, because most foreginers aren't able to do that.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
4 May 12
Yes, I think it is disrespectful to the natives not to learn their language
all the best urban
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
23 May 12
I agree with that. I know that some people find it hard to learn a new language, but I think that they should at least try to learn some of the common expressions. I always do that. Even when I am just going to visit the country for a short time I like to learn some of the greetings and things like that.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
4 May 12
Your friend has no desire to really connect with the locals. And with Satellite t.v. and the internet , he can just stick to all the Aussie things he likes. In fact there are many new Americans that live in their ethnic neighborhoods and don't fully learn English and they live well. But me? I wouldn't even book the tickets without knowing, hi, bye, please , thank you , can you say that again slower, and do you speak English? in the native tongue. It may go this way. they see me I speak in their native tongue and the respond in English , because I look like a American , but at least I tried. As for reading the signs , that would be the easiest to learn. To me it is trying to be polite.
1 person likes this
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@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
15 May 12
I will try. These days I see it going this way, I'll say it in their language and they will answer in English!
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
14 May 12
That is true, if you have internet access and satellite tv can you stick to the things that you already know. My friend is happy that way, but I am like you, I would definately make an effort to learn the local language. I always do that when I travel, and I few of the basic words like hello or thank you are very useful. I also try to learn the names of the common signs like open, closed or no trespassing. It makes travelling much easier and the locals usually appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@JohnRok1 (2051)
•
6 Jun 12
Actually, why is he in Denmark at all and not Oz? It may not be just Danish locals that he has no desire to connect with (or, more likely, a deep-seated fear of connecting with - I don't think, Porcospino, that you, as a medic, can help knowing what I'm talking about).
1 person likes this
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@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
4 May 12
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@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
4 May 12
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1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
25 May 12
In my country most of the foreigners aren't here illegally, but quite a few of the foreigners don't want to learn our language. Their children learn the language because they go to school here, but some of the parents only speak their own language so the children have to translate for them for instanse when they visit the doctor or when they have read some papers in Danish. I find it hard to understand why some adults choose to stick to their own language. I know that I would find it hard to live in a country where I didn't speak the local language, and I would make an effort to learn the language.
@JohnRok1 (2051)
•
6 Jun 12
Bunnybon, this happens to me every now and then. I go to my preferences, cancel all my requests, and then reinstate them, and the service comes back.
Porcospino, I was "brilliant" at languages when I was at school, but my interpersonal skills, such as they are, are nowhere near my book-learning skills, so when it comes to learning Turkish my progress in the language compared with the exposure I have had to it has been abysmal (It, like Uzbek, is a very regular, straightforward language, though all the rules are the reverse of ours - If you know anything about the "Reverse Polish" computer language, it's like that). Is your Aussie friend worse, perhaps?
@garson (884)
• United States
13 May 12
I have lived in the US for almost 20 years. When I started back then, one of my desires is not to speak English with a heavy accent. Well, I actually have learned English since I was seven, had a US private tutor when I was in high school, watch lots of TV shows & movies from US and anything else that help my English language development. Even to these days, I am still learning.
The case of a foreigner living in other countries for so many years without having a fluency in local language is somewhat common and this Australian is not the only one. My guess is that this Australian is a white person and everybody in his circles/environment speaks English with him all the time. He's probably a scientist/researcher that does not have proficiency in learning language (correct if I'm wrong) or he's working for an Australian company.
Is he married? What kind of job is he doing? ...... I would have more questions myself. Also, how often he come and go from Denmark? etc.
In my opinion, this Australian is shallow. Even if he is not proficient with learning language, he should have made some effort. Again, he's not the only one. A problem could be that no one is knocking on his head. In other words, has someone in his circles brought up the idea that he should attempt to learn Danish? or etc
Even in the US, there are people that live in this country for such a long time, but are never proficient with English. They seem comfortable with their circles/environment speaking languages that they are so familiar with.
1 person likes this
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@garson (884)
• United States
13 May 12
I personally have learned other languages. I had Deutsch when I was in high school and took few classes in college. I learned Espanol and Francais as well. Problem is I don't use them. I just need to practice them.
If I travel to Europe and visit countries like France, Germany, and Spain, I would love to be able to converse comfortably in those languages.
1 person likes this
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@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
3 May 12
If you choose to live somewhere else you are stupid if you don't learn the language. If you don't do so you will never be a part of the society and you will never find your way. You will always have to depend on what others tell you or are (willing to) translate to you. You won't be able to to know the law or rules.
I always wonder why you want to stick to your own habits and life style if you don't want to live in your own country anymore and choose for an other life.
What is wrong with developing yourself? Being able to manage abroad?
Too stuborn or too lazy or too stupid?
I know to many it's not easy to learn a foreign language if you are already older but it's possible and people will appreciate it, even if it's not perfect. I am learning an other foreign language (again) so I won't need others to translate everything for me. I don't understand your friends opinion.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 May 12
I don't like to depend on other people all the time. It is natural that you need someone to translate in the beginning, but I prefer to learn the local language as fast as possible, because I think that it is the best way to become independent and the best way to get the most out of my stay in that country. I find it frustrating to be unable to understand the conversations and everything else.
When I was living in another country I had two goals: I wanted to be able understand the language and I wanted to be able to express myself in a way that other people were able to understand. It wasn't my goal to speak the language perfectly and the grammar was very difficult, but I think it is essential to understand what people are saying and make yourself understood.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (159754)
• United States
5 May 12
Okay, I did not read any of the other responses. I just think that is an arrogant attitude on hie part. I could see a couple of months, not learning the language, but 20 years?!
He wants to be understood, but he does not care if he understands anyone else. That stinks in a way.
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1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Jun 12
I also find it hard to understand why he has chosen to live in my country for 20 years without learning the language, but it probably because it is easier than learning the language. He knows that he will be able to find someone who speaks English, so he doesn't think that it is neccesary to learn Danish. You are right, he wants to be understood but he doesn't care if he understands other people. I would be willing to help him if he wanted to learn our language, but he is not interested.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
5 May 12
To answer the question, 'Could you live in a country where you did understand the local language?' I could really live in such a place.
Understanding the language would also involve understanding the culture of the place. Simply translating one language to another isn't enough as literal translations wouldn't always convey the real meaning which is being expressed. As jokes can be taken for granted within a group of friends while can be taken harshly by others who are not associated with the group, so would language which also has its familiarization and context.
'Would you try to learn the language as fast as possible or would you ask people to speak to you in English?'
The choice that I would prefer would depend greatly on the situation. Learning something new would definitely take a lot of time and exposure. Getting to use the language as often as I can obviously would help a lot in the learning process. Having someone who knows that language that I want to learn and talk with is also beneficial as that person can immediately correct my grammar or the pronunciation of the words that I am trying to learn.
Then, when the conversation that I am engaged in includes words that I am not yet familiar with, I might actually ask for assistance in understanding the language. In any case, if those that I am talking with would be comfortable enough to use a common language, such as English, to continue the conversation, I would pretty much appreciate it.
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@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
11 Jun 12
Some people would consider that as sarcasm, stating something which is actually the opposite to which one really wants to imply in their statement, like 'Students always look forward in bringing home a lot of homework from school.' (^_^") Of course, other cultures would probably have different scenarios for different sarcasms.
Yes, it is really good to have someone who knows the language you want to learn teach it to us, especially if it's someone we can really depend on. Though it is rather funny that there would be times that those who we depend on could play a prank on us by teaching us something which we thought would really help us.
An example that I could give would be of my sister who went to the hometown of my father. My father speaks a different dialect so going back to their hometown with my sister would have it's challenges. One time, my sister asked my father how to say, 'Good Morning!' since she gets to wake up early and see other relatives. My father told her a phrase in their dialect which my sister really gave effort to memorize.
The following morning, when my sister woke up and saw a relative, she recited her memorized phrase, intending to greet 'good morning' Oddly enough, after my sister said the phrase, our relatives immediately brought her to the kitchen table and served her breakfast.
My sister being confused with the sudden treatment went to my father to ask what he really taught her. There she found out that my father didn't teach her how to say 'Good Morning' in their dialect, but rather 'I am Hungry!' ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Jun 12
Yes, understanding the language also involves understanding the culture. Sometimes it not enough to understand the words you also have to understand the meaning behind the words. In my country we use a lot of irony and that is one of the things that foreigners often find difficult or confusing in the beginning. They understand the words and they don't always understand the irony that we wanted to express. Sometimes the literal translation of a sentence is positive, but the acutual meaning is negative. We might say: "That's beautiful" but we actually mean that it is extremely ugly.
It is definately s good thing to talk to a local who knows the language. That person can help us translate th words that we don't understand and he or she can correct our grammar and our pronounciation. When I was living abroad my local friends helped me a lot and I always asked them to translate for me when someone said a word that I didn't understand. I learned a lot of new words that way.
1 person likes this
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@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
4 May 12
Hello,
Both ways when you think about the situation. First thought is "definitely yes" but but for some it is not easy or harder to be motivated if you are in a portion or family and neighbors who speak your own language.
I would highly encourage people to learn the language if they are there for some time. Friends I have overseas always sem to learn the language. One family friend who had a grant to work and move to China for 2 years, learned the language. Now he is in Swtizerland for 2 years and he has also learned the language. But he's a really smart guy and in his 30's.
For elderly or slow learners I would say to at least learn the basic words.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
14 May 12
Some people find it relatively easy to learn a new language and other people need more time. It sounds like your family friend is one of the people who is able to learn a new language easily, and that is a big advantage when you live abroad. When you spend the time among people who speak your own language it can be harder to find the motivation to learn a new language, that is true. Quite a few foreigners in my country only speak their own language. The children learn Danish at school, but some of the adults only speak their own language, and they ask their children to translate for them when they visit the doctor and things like that.
1 person likes this
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
14 May 12
Porcospino,
Yes, some have it much easier. Language is one of teh barriers I wish we didn't have. I often wish I could speak much more with friends and relatives or even local people here who do not speak English, and I can not speak theirs, though we are fond of each other.
Here, the main immigrant language is Spanish. Many of them at work do not learn English, but the population both at work and in neighborhoods are filled with other Spanish speaking, so it is easier for them, but for others it is much harder. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
4 May 12
I think it would be the most obvious thing to do. How else are you going to fit into the community/ Having said that I have spent some time in Denmark and was amazed that all the bus drivers spoke english.
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@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
3 Jun 12
I was only a tourist and my comment was made because I was so amazed of how many Danish residents spoke english and spoke it very well. I am not good at languages and spent a long time learning french only to have my daughter move to Spain so I am now struggling with spanish as my daughter-in-law is mexican so also uses spanish.
I agree speaking the local language is the best way
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 Jun 12
It is interesting to hear that you have spent some time in Denmark. Did you work in my country or did you visit Denmark as a tourist? In which city did you do stay? I also think that learning the language would be the most obvious thing to do. Many things are a lot easier when you are able to speak the local language and you don't have to ask people to translate for you all the time.
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@hgwyneth (120)
• Philippines
4 May 12
Well, learning the language of the locals where you reside will make you feel at home if you're a foreigner and more likely, you'll far to be cheated. I will cite two scenarios: My boss is a Korean and living in the Philippines for more than 20 years already. He is fluent with the local language as he mingled with different commoners everyday. He is interested in knowing the words which he doesn't understand yet. He asks us once in a while for the English meaning of certain words since he's very fluent with English already. That made him very understanding of Filipino culture and never has been cheated. On the other story, there was a Japanese, one of our client. He is here in the country for almost 20 years also. He didn't even try to learn our native language even the English language he hardly understand. He just entrusted everything to one of her employee. Just last year, he found out, his business is in trouble. His employee has tampered government document without his knowing. Because of that, his company was penalized huge amount. Not only that, that employee has also some illegal transactions and has stolen huge amount of peso. It's really sad but it's reality. Better to learn the local language to avoid any problem in the future if you mean to stay for good.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 Jun 12
The two people that you mentioned are a good example of importance of learning the local language. You are vulnerable if you don't learn the language in the country where you live and people can cheat you. I think that it is important to learn to understand the local language. You don't have to speak perfectly as long as you are able to make yourself understood, but many things are difficult if you are unable to understand the things that people say or unable to read letters or instructions in the local language. I think that your Korean boss has a very good attitude towards the language. It is a great idea to ask people to translate the words that he doesn't know yet, because the the best way to learn new words.
@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
4 May 12
Here in India, the country is divided into 29 states and this division is done including on linguistic reasons. Means there are minimum 29 languages and frankly speaking it goes to 30-35 including many vernacular languages. Many langauages have no inter relation and it is hard to learn and understnd, people says. And I am one who speak such a diffult language. Which have Vowels (svaram) - 33, Consonant (vyanjanam) - 36, A selection of conjunct consonants - 30 Total - 99. But I think this is one of the best langauge. All languages have its own origin and importance those who speak it.
Here in your topic, I think it is not so necessary if we live where so many languages are handled. I am here in a different state for last 25 years and above and till now, the particular language where I am currently living is not so fluent to me. I have tried to learn it but dropped. I can understand but never feel to lern fully. As I know 6-8 langauges and handle independently, it is ok to manage various occasions.
However, I belive that knowing differnt langauage is an asset and it will improve our credibility. Also, if we are out in a differnt country or state, to know that particular language will help us in many ways.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 May 12
6-8 languages that is quite impressive. I only speak 3 languages (Danish, English and Italian) It is little hard for me to imagine what it is like to live in country like India where there are so many different languages, because I am from a small country where we only have one language. I agree with the last thing that you wrote. I also think that it it is a help to learn the local language when we visit on stay in another place. It makes it much easier to find new friends and it is also useful in other situations for instanse if we need to solve some practical problems.
@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
7 May 12
Though I have learned the other languages in school and when it come pratical, I found it it difficult to manage. But, when we used to talk and listen to other languages, we will pic-up slowly. I think to learn a new language, the best way is to mingle with small children who speak the same languge. When we mingle with them, we can easily improve, through we wont realise.
In fact, most of the additional languages I learned in this way and I think this is one best simple technique to learn any language.
Thanks for your response.
Regards
1 person likes this
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
4 May 12
When living abroad, we should learn the local language. It is really useful for your life, communication, going to somewhere or go to supermarkets. It is not difficult to learn local language also because you can meet the local people everyday and just try to improve your language day by day.
It is a big mistake when you are lazy to learn the local language when living aboard, i think.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 May 12
I also think that we should learn the local language when we live abroad. It makes things a lot easier for us. When we know the local language we are able to communicate with the people we meet and it is eaiser to find new friends among the locals.
It is also much easier to handle all the daily things like instructions in the local language and shopping. When you don't speak the local language it is easy to misunderstand things. I am a language teacher for a family from Burma, and they find it very difficult to read the letters that they receive, because they don't speak much Danish yet. One day they misunderstood a letter about a meeting with the authorities and they missed the meeting. To avoid situations like that it is important to learn the local language.
@viji_v2 (727)
• India
4 May 12
I experienced in past four to five months that I have to learn the local language what they speak. Actually I learned the language to write and read but what they speak is really different and devoid of grammer for the language. It is hard to learn. But I wish to learn it sooner so I could manage myself in local places.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 May 12
I can understand from your response that you live in another country at the moment. Where do you live? The language sounds like a challenge since the spoken language is different from the written language, but I understand why you want to learn it as soon as possible. Many things are easier when you are able to communicate with the locals. I have lived abroad myself and I also wanted to learn the language as fast as possible. That was the best way to become indepedent and make the most of my stay in another country. I found it relatively easy to learn to understand the spoken language, but the grammar was difficult and it was hard to learn to speak it fluently.
@as2006 (5040)
• Israel
4 May 12
In my opinion is good to speak many languages but only if you are talented to this or you have learn this from some reasons.To learn a language when you are adult it's not so easy.For example: I was born in Poland and speak the language until today even I live in Israel many years.I speak English too.
I think that with English you can manage in every country in the world so you must not to learn the local language but it will be very difficult for you to live there.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
28 May 12
I think that it is true that it isn't so easy for adults to learn a new language. It is possible to learn a new language as an adult, but it is easier for children and they usually learn a new language faster than adults. I know a Japenese man who has lived in Denmark for many years. When he arrived in Denmark he only spoke Japanese and he says that he learned Danish like a small child. He listened, listened and listened and little by little he learned the Danish language. He didn't speak English and that made it harder for him, but eventually he managed to learn the Danish language. I think it is easier to learn a new language if you speak English because you are able to translate from English to the local language.
@think_twice (553)
• India
5 May 12
Yes, because without local language you cannot communicate with the local people and so you are always away from some vital local informations without which life could be complicated.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Jun 12
That is true, it is not easy to communicate with the locals if you are unable to speak the local language. Most Danes understand English, but I still think that it is a really good idea to learn the language, because if you don't understand the Danish you won't be able to understand people's conversations and you won't be able to read letters, instructions and many other things. It is also easier for people to cheat you if you don't understand the language and that is another reason why it is a good idea to learn the local language in the country where you live.
@petersum (4522)
• United States
3 May 12
I speak a lot of languages already. Now I'm living in Greece and I have no desire to learn the language at all!
There are only six million Greeks. (The other four million of the ten million population are foreigners.)
There are at least four different dialects.
It is an open form language - having no word order, sentence construction rules and very little formal grammar.
How the ancient Greeks were ever considered civilized is quite beyond my imagination.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 May 12
My husband and I visited Greece in 2010 and we were totally lost because we couldn't read the signs. If I lived in Greece I would definately learn the alphabet and learn to read some of the basic words, because I would find it too frustrating to live there without a basic knowledge of the language. I read your description of the Greek language, it sounds like a very challenging language to learn, but I would still try.
1 person likes this
@coldnpale (555)
• Greece
3 May 12
First of all I am greek. It is true we are full of foreign people here.:P The only thing I am proud about my country is our language, as all the rest is going pretty much awfully wrong.:) It is a lot harder than most languages out there, and if you are not a native speaker it is going to be really hard to be able to talk like one. The grammatical rules are a lot more than most of the other languages. There are actually so many grammatical rules, that I can't explain because they don't exist in english language and I can't find any words:P. Unless you are talking with really uneducated greeks who speak in a slang way, the sentence construction is very strict. I know 1 dialect only, however, I can speak with all the greeks and cypriots. The dielects are not really 4. Only in crete you'll find people speaking differently and then in cyprus, which is kinda an independed country anyway. Of course each place has a few words different, but i wouldn't consider it a different dialect. And as for the last part, greeks were considered civilized not for the language, but because when they were building great towns, studying sciences and philosophy, music and gymnastics etc, the rest of europe couldn't even speak.:) I am not trying to be rude, I am young but well-travelled and the truth is I hate my country and I want out of here as soon as possible, because apparently, modern Greece hasn't evolved since the ancient times:P However, I still am proud of my roots, as every man should be, no matter where he is from.
3 people like this
@coldnpale (555)
• Greece
3 May 12
It is true that if your native language is english and you live in a country that speaks english pretty well, it doesn't encourage you to learn their language. I find it hard to believe how you can live in a country for 20 years and not being able to speak their language. Even if you wouldn't want to learn it, in 20 years you probably learn it anyway. I think it's most important to know the language of the country you live in. I have lived in another coutry for less than 2 years, and good communicate pretty good in their local language, even though almost everyone was really good in english.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 May 12
I also find that a little a strange, I thought that he would at least recognize some of the common words after such a long period of time. Our grammar and our pronounciation are quite difficult for foreigners, but I still think that you automatically learn some of the words after a while especially the words that you hear very often. On the other hand if you aren't interested at all you probably don't pay attention to the words that you hear.
1 person likes this
@coldnpale (555)
• Greece
3 May 12
Indeed. Scandinabian languages tend to be pretty different. However if you don't learn the language in the place you live in for 20 years, you must be really stubborn. To think, I am playing a videogame with a fellow from Denmark, and if it goes on like this, even I am about to learn your language! (exaggeration). I learned about the Dansk Pølser already. :P
1 person likes this
@345042441 (130)
• China
7 May 12
Most Eurpeans know English so its not a problem if he could not speak Danish though i think it is necessary to learn a bit the local language in order to know more about the local culture and people.
The man you know is not alone. I also know a friend who is studying PhD in Germany now. He has been there for many years but he knows nothing about German. I was puzzled but he told me most people there could speak English so there is no problem in communication there. If he has no interest in learning a foreign language he would not do it.
@JohnRok1 (2051)
•
6 Jun 12
What's he doing his PhD in? For understanding research literature, I believe German is second in importance only to English (unless, of course, you're researching someone like Molière, when it would be ridiculous to depend on just Richard Strauss's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme suite).
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
4 May 12
As we all know that English is a well popular language and most of them know it. So languages doesn't
matter for a person when he reach in a unknown place. The problem arises when the people in the area is unknown about such universal languages.
According to my opinion it is better to study the local language becuase, it helps us us to know what the
people tell to us. In most of the cases the people try to cheat us by telling lie. The local language of the people is unknown to us and they are able to sell the
things at different rate like the people like us who don't know their language. So I think i is better to study those.
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@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
4 May 12
That is a good point. I think it is easier to avoid people who cheat if we are able to understand the local language. As I a tourist I have been cheated many times. The sellers knew that I wasn't familiar with the local prices or the language and they took advantage of that. I think that many tourists experience the same thing when they visit a foreign country, but if you are going to live in another country, it is important to learn the local language. A lot of situations will be easier to handle when you speak the locals languages, people are less likely to scam you and you are more independent because you don't have to ask other people to translate for you all the time.
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
5 May 12
I agree. Learning the local language is like you are preparing yourself for a battle. I believe you can dwell effortlessly to that place when you are armed with reasonable understanding and practice of the local langauage. Also, having a knowledge to that local language is like having a light to your path - you can easily connect to people , make friends and able to find a better job.
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