Foreigners who come here and don't learn English

Raekwon · 15-12-2011 07:27PM

TheZohan wrote: »

I'm not racist, but....

You know it's a slow day in AH when it took a whole 15 posts before the word 'racist' made it's customary appearance.

Stripey Cat · 15-12-2011 07:28PM

Antomus Prime wrote: »

And in response to the comment above about Irish... I am fluent in Irish myself and I love the language but I dont see how that question is valid here as it's not the primary language here nor is it a necessity to communicate in this country, its heritage.

Many people would argue that English is a foreign language here, though.

The fact that people speak it widely doesn't make it less foreign. Many people also speak Spanish or Russian or German or whatever.

Snakeblood · 15-12-2011 07:28PM

I'm a racist but this seems perfectly acceptable to me.

Logical Fallacy · 15-12-2011 07:29PM

OP, they speak English just fine.

They just couldn't be arsed talking to you.

RichieC · 15-12-2011 07:30PM

Irish people complaining about Spanish peoples lack of English.. hahahahahaahaha

I've heard it all.

OP, you might consider some do know english but pretend not to so they can avoid talking to the likes of you.

Garlic Suplmnt · 15-12-2011 07:31PM

Chris Waddle

Antomus Prime · 15-12-2011 07:31PM

Stripey Cat wrote: »

Many people would argue that English is a foreign language here, though.

The fact that people speak it widely doesn't make it less foreign. Many people also speak Spanish or Russian or German or whatever.

I never said it wasnt a foreign language, everyone knows that our native language is Irish but it was phased out a long time ago, bar some areas of the country where its still as commonly used as english, and in some places more than english, but nobody can argue that in order to communicate with the natives of this country you need to speak english.

El Horseboxo · 15-12-2011 07:35PM

I couldn't care less whether they learn it and kinda understand why they wouldn't bother. They are so submersed in Spanish culture while here I doubt they are planning on staying here permanently. But from my own point of view I'd want to make the effort so I could understand the new society I'm in more. Plus you'll feel more included in day to day things. Not to mention it's English they'd be learning which is a major world language. It's not like they'd be learning an obscure language which has no benefit to them in the future.

Naomi00 · 15-12-2011 07:36PM

Temptamperu wrote: »

Do you speak Irish OP, considering your in Ireland and all shouldnt you speak the native tongue?

MisterEpicurus wrote: »

Yes - Irish, Spanish, Portuguese, and German

Win.

Yeah it's a waste of time to live in a country and not attempt to speak the language especially English.

15-12-2011 07:39PM

Just speak to them normally but put 'O' at the end of every word.

E.G.- "Anyoneo likeo a drinkeo in the pubio tonightio"

Oh wait that's Italian..

Sorry OP I cant help ya..

MisterEpicurus · 15-12-2011 07:40PM

RichieC wrote: »

Irish people complaining about Spanish peoples lack of English.. hahahahahaahaha

I've heard it all.

OP, you might consider some do know english but pretend not to so they can avoid talking to the likes of you.

I'm not complaining of their lack of English, rather lack of effort in doing so.

"Likes of you" - You don't know anything about me, so refrain from trolling and insults please.

getz · 15-12-2011 07:42PM

when i used to sail into barcelona on merchant ships,the only foreign words i needed was quonta costa jig e jig,

Mr Benevolent · 15-12-2011 07:43PM

MisterEpicurus wrote: »

Yes - Irish, Spanish, Portuguese, and German

Irish isn't a native tongue, it's a minority language.

Naomi00 · 15-12-2011 07:45PM

Confab wrote: »

Irish isn't a native tongue, it's a minority language.

Aww someone's got a chip on their shoulder..

Antomus Prime · 15-12-2011 07:45PM

Edz87 wrote: »

Just speak to them normally but put 'O' at the end of every word.

E.G.- "Anyoneo likeo a drinkeo in the pubio tonightio"

Oh wait that's Italian..

Sorry OP I cant help ya..

Im pretty sure Dr. Bob Kelso would disagree with you there!! :pac:

Confab wrote: »

Irish isn't a native tongue, it's a minority language.

Irish is the Native language of Ireland, regardless of whether or not it's the primary language

cocoshovel · 15-12-2011 07:46PM

where do i go from here wrote: »

No one should travel anywhere unless they are fluent in the language(s) of the country/region they are travelling to.

I travelled to Poland for 2 weeks during the summer, should I have spent months becoming fluent in the language before I went? Such a silly post.

learn the language if you're going to live there for an extended period of time. Is that what you meant?

Antomus Prime · 15-12-2011 07:52PM

cocoshovel wrote: »

I travelled to Poland for 2 weeks during the summer, should I have spent months becoming fluent in the language before I went? Such a silly post.

learn the language if you're going to live there for an extended period of time. Is that what you meant?

Im pretty sure he was being sarcastic:rolleyes:

lar203 · 15-12-2011 07:52PM

so why are there here ??? there not working so how are they getting money to stay

cocoshovel · 15-12-2011 07:53PM

Antomus Prime wrote: »

Im pretty sure he was being sarcastic:rolleyes:

Worst sarcasm ever!

aujopimur · 15-12-2011 07:53PM

They probably learned Irish, but when they got here they could'nt find anyone to converse with.

Antomus Prime · 15-12-2011 07:57PM

cocoshovel wrote: »

Worst sarcasm ever!

The joys of text..... lol

HovaBaby · 15-12-2011 07:59PM

That sounds stupid alright.

Sure I go over to Spain once every 4/5 years on holiday, and once every 4/5 years to see a Soccer game. I have an intermediate level of Spanish from doing this. I would get completely fluent if I was to live there.

newmug · 15-12-2011 08:00PM

The OP's right though. If you move to a country (note I said MOVE, not go on holidays!), you should at least make an effort to learn the main language of that country. Why wouldn't you?

Naomi00 · 15-12-2011 08:01PM

aujopimur wrote: »

They probably learned Irish, but when they got here they could'nt find anyone to converse with.

You obviously don't live in Ireland then :rolleyes:

15-12-2011 08:08PM

HovaBaby wrote: »

That sounds stupid alright.

Sure I go over to Spain once every 4/5 years on holiday, and once every 4/5 years to see a Soccer game. I have an intermediate level of Spanish from doing this. I would get completely fluent if I was to live there.

You have an intermediate level of Spanish from going there on holiday every 4 or 5 years? Either you're a linguistic genius or your idea of 'intermediate' is very different from mine.

risteard7 · 15-12-2011 08:11PM

You dont need to learn english to write your signature in the post office

Naomi00 · 15-12-2011 08:12PM

Willow Icy Salesman wrote: »

You have an intermediate level of Spanish from going there on holiday every 4 or 5 years? Either you're a linguistic genius or your idea of 'intermediate' is very different from mine.

In fairness Spanish isn't like learning Ancient Greek or anything. Lots of people pick up a fair bit of Spanish from going on holiday there and if you already spoke other languages I think you would pick it up quite quickly if you made an effort.

getz · 15-12-2011 08:15PM

maybe they dont want to learn english in ireland in case they get a dublin accent

Big Nasty · 15-12-2011 08:16PM

Edz87 wrote: »

Just speak to them normally but put 'O' at the end of every word.

E.G.- "Anyoneo likeo a drinkeo in the pubio tonightio"

Oh wait that's Italian..

Sorry OP I cant help ya..

Does that mean all our Tomo's; Anto's and Johno's are of Eye-talian descent!?! :eek::eek::eek:

And there was me thinking they have no culture and know nothing more than Dutch Gold; Johnny Blue and Celtic!

El Weirdo · 15-12-2011 08:31PM

MisterEpicurus wrote: »

I live with 3 Spanish people, and about 2 of them don't bother to learn English.

Could you not give us an exact figure considering the small sample size?

lar203 wrote: »

so why are there here ??? there not working so how are they getting money to stay

The irony of this post in this thread...

Foreigners who come here and don't learn English

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