17 replies to this topic

[Blofeld's Cat]

There is a thread on Bond being a cunning linguist, but which CBN forum members are cunning linguists too?

I've been working in Indonesia for over six years now so I've picked up a lot of the language, especially since I've married a local lady who helps me out.

However, as I work mainly in the Jakarta office in which all our our national staff members speak good English, I don't practice the Indonesian language enough. It has gotton to the stage where my 4yr old daughter is teaching me new words.

So, who else speaks a language other than their native tongue?

Obviously, those members who were born/raised in an non-english speaking country can at least speak English as they can converse in the forums in English.

BTW, I also know a little Motu from Papua New Guinea as I was born and spent the first 8 years of my life there.

[Blue Eyes]

Xenobia (08 Apr, 2002 12:59 a.m.):
Well, if American English counts as a foreign language for the Brits, I will count my fluency in English English as a second language.

For the sake of arguement, we'll say it's a second language! Though, I must admit, I always thought of it as a disability

[PaulZ108]

I know some Spanish. Enough to comprehend most of the Diario de Cadiz articles.

[James Page]

Mister Asterix (06 Apr, 2002 08:26 p.m.):
That depends on what G.C.S.E. stands for.

It stands for General Cerfiticate of Secondary Education.

But it counts for very little, most ppl do 10 of them at 16, 4 or 5 A-Levels at 18, and then a degree.

Been there done that got the cheap T-shirt

[Mister Asterix]

Ethan Hunt (06 Apr, 2002 07:37 p.m.):
Well, I'm about to do my G.C.S.E.'s in German...does that count?

That depends on what G.C.S.E. stands for.

[Xenobia]

Well, if American English counts as a foreign language for the Brits, I will count my fluency in English English as a second language.

Further, I speak Spanish, although I read it better than I speak it.

I also know enough Latin to say Roman Catholic mass!

-- Xenobia

[Tanger]

I'm currently coming to the end of my German GCSE course (Thank God!). I hate speaking it though, I much prefer writing. My Essay marks are far better than my oral.
I also learnt French in Year 8 and carried that on to Year 9 because it was compulsory, but dropped it when it came to the GCSE options in favour of German. And because learning just one foreign language is tough, but two at a time?!
Anyway, I hated French and only had to take it up in Year 8 due to getting 69% on an Exam, thus forcing me into the top set which has to learn both languages.
Out of curiosity, what are the names of everybody's language teachers. Sometimes they can be quite funny.
I've had:
German - Mr Parker, Mrs Trew, Mrs Craig, Ms. Henning, Mr. Buckland and Ms. Vinson. The first four were in the same year! It was the class, we drove teachers mad and they ended up having breakdowns.
French - Ms. f*gge (Hehe) and Mrs. L'Esteve-Dixon.

If you think I've had a lot of German teachers, you should see my Year10/11 Tech list. 11 teachers!!! 10 of which were either dismissed or cover teachers. Won't go into names though.

On the same language teacher note, my cousin once had a 'Mr. Pengelley' and a 'Mrs. Harverdasher'.
/ / /

[Jules]

Three years of high school Spanish, enough Italian to know what I am eating when I was there, and some pretty nifty German swear words from my coach...heh.

[Mister Asterix]

I had three years of French in high-school. And I know about one phrase per year.

I am attempting to teach myself the Queen's English for my fan fiction because that's the way I believe James Bond stories should be written. Usually when I am talking Bond I go into half British English mode out of habit and end up with a Mid-Atlantic English (to borrow zencat's phrase). And that is why I sometimes on these forums I'll type 'colour' and other times it's 'color'.

[DavidFries]

I'm very fluent in American English.

[Blue Eyes]

I'm hoping to go and learn French soon. I've always wanted to learn another language. Originally it was going to be German, however, bar my online friends such as Tim and Renard I don't know many people who know German. However, my mum and a fair few friends know French!

[007luvchild]

Well I speak Spanish, French and Italian. And know a very very little Japanese. For years, people thought I was non- American because I spoke several languages, which cracked me up.

[James Page]

French: I used to be quite good with French, and after a week in the country, it all comes flooding back and I can make good conversation.

Japanese: Enough to get through an airport and be generally polite an the well travelled Englishman.

German: Enough to earn a slap from a young lady (.....or breakfast).

I close friend of mine has been teaching me the differences between British and Canadian English for 5 years and I've finally got the hang of it.

And being half Scot, not that you could ever tell, I'm fluent in Scottish and often act as an English translator for those not blessed. :-P

I'm hoping Xen will be helping me out with my American English. :-P

[Tedley King]

Well, I'm about to do my G.C.S.E.'s in German...does that count?

[Tim007]

That's me.

[White Knight]

I am almost fluent in spanish. I need a little more work though.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Blue Eyes (08 Apr, 2002 01:11 a.m.):

Xenobia (08 Apr, 2002 12:59 a.m.):
Well, if American English counts as a foreign language for the Brits, I will count my fluency in English English as a second language.

For the sake of arguement, we'll say it's a second language! Though, I must admit, I always thought of it as a disability

A lot of times I find American English quite sensible.

I mean, seriously, why should there be a "u" in colour or labour.

Although, I am a little confused with the aluminium/aluminum thing.

[Tanger]

Blofeld's Cat (08 Apr, 2002 02:39 a.m.):
I am a little confused with the aluminium/aluminum thing.

Tell me about it! I totally miss-spelled an entire Science Project about Aluminium because of it. My teacher said 'And you're in set 1 for English?!'