Foreign languages

[Salty]

Started this this thread so as not to hi-jack another thread.

Fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
Conversational Italian.

Outstanding

I don't belittle Americans for speaking only English. When your nation is the most powerful and one of the most numerous in the world, you don't need to learn other tongues the way an immigrant must.

One of my greatest regrets -is that for having been in Germany for 8 yea rs - I never bothered to learn the language. - at one point, I worked at the family furniture warehouse - we contracted a German moving company to do the work (I was the supervisor) .Only the driver knew English - the other two did not know any English. What a perfect opportunity to learn German.
But for most GI's - we lived on an American base - rarely shop on the local economny, and the Germans we worked with, for the most part all spoke English. -
As far as Americans in the US learning a foreign language - well - I drove from Texas to NY to Ga then the NW - went thur Canada - and finally to Alaska - Drove 8,000 miles - and the entire trip was in English. In Europe - if I drove 8k miles - I would have traveled several countries - all with different languages. ----IMHO - us Americans need to expand our knowledge at least in Foreign languages.

******************************************

So do you speak a foreign language?

Does your church have services for a foreign language peoples group?

Should we be more pro-active in leaning a foreign language.

Open for discussion

 

[Van]

I am not "gifted" in language skills, not English or any other. However, by reading about other languages say in a concordance, or reverse interlinear, or lexicon, or commentary, I can grow in understanding to some low level about the foreign language. And those who claim views about scripture cannot be challenged by those lacking fluency in the original Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek is akin with claiming Gnostic knowledge is required to discern truth from scripture.

Yes, our local church has a Spanish speaking church, with a Spanish speaking Pastor and Choir, for several years, reaching that part of our community who are less than fluent in English. A few times a year, we have a combined service and get to be blessed with the faith, devotion and love of our siblings in Christ.

 

[asterisktom]

Started this this thread so as not to hi-jack another thread.


Outstanding



One of my greatest regrets -is that for having been in Germany for 8 yea rs - I never bothered to learn the language. - at one point, I worked at the family furniture warehouse - we contracted a German moving company to do the work (I was the supervisor) .Only the driver knew English - the other two did not know any English. What a perfect opportunity to learn German.
But for most GI's - we lived on an American base - rarely shop on the local economny, and the Germans we worked with, for the most part all spoke English. -
As far as Americans in the US learning a foreign language - well - I drove from Texas to NY to Ga then the NW - went thur Canada - and finally to Alaska - Drove 8,000 miles - and the entire trip was in English. In Europe - if I drove 8k miles - I would have traveled several countries - all with different languages. ----IMHO - us Americans need to expand our knowledge at least in Foreign languages.

******************************************

So do you speak a foreign language?

Does your church have services for a foreign language peoples group?

Should we be more pro-active in leaning a foreign language.

Open for discussion

I think people should learn foreign languages. With free apps like Duolingo it has never been easier. Having been born in Germany and living there many years I already had a head start with that language. And when I was in the AF I learned Russian under the vague suggestion from my boss in the NCO club (I was a club steward) that I might work in the embassy in Moscow. It didnt pan out, but I have since followed up on the language. It came in handy when we were in Armenia, Georgia, and a few other countries. Our Spanish has really been helpful here in Mexico, of course, and in many other countries.

Even if one never leaves the country I think learning other languages is a good thing.It helps to understand other people and countries and, thus, to get a better perspective on our own country.

 

[Salty]

Even if one never leaves the country I think learning other languages is a good thing.It helps to understand other people and countries and, thus, to get a better perspective on our own country.

Shortly, after I got out the army, I was at the Dallas Airport -
I saw a group of German tourists - and I was speaking to them in my very limited German.
I think they were impressed -that I at least tried to speak German
As they had realized that most Americans do not have a second language

That was before I forgot most of the German that i knew!

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Just a couple of general comments. People vary in linguistic ability, even regarding their native language. Also, many countries require learning a second language in school, but the US does not.

The US is indeed vast and much of Canada is English speaking. The equivalent amount of travel in America compared to most other places in the world amounts to encountering accents rather than other languages.

Learning another language provides insight into how cultures can vary. You might find that word for word translation can result in complete misunderstanding, even serious offense.

 

[Salty]

Just a couple of general comments. People vary in linguistic ability, ...

I dont think that it is due to a lack of ability- but we think we don't need to,
so most do not see a need to put forth an effort.

Rather, we should challenge ourselves.

 

[Marooncat79]

I ha

Started this this thread so as not to hi-jack another thread.


Outstanding



One of my greatest regrets -is that for having been in Germany for 8 yea rs - I never bothered to learn the language. - at one point, I worked at the family furniture warehouse - we contracted a German moving company to do the work (I was the supervisor) .Only the driver knew English - the other two did not know any English. What a perfect opportunity to learn German.
But for most GI's - we lived on an American base - rarely shop on the local economny, and the Germans we worked with, for the most part all spoke English. -
As far as Americans in the US learning a foreign language - well - I drove from Texas to NY to Ga then the NW - went thur Canada - and finally to Alaska - Drove 8,000 miles - and the entire trip was in English. In Europe - if I drove 8k miles - I would have traveled several countries - all with different languages. ----IMHO - us Americans need to expand our knowledge at least in Foreign languages.

******************************************

So do you speak a foreign language?

Does your church have services for a foreign language peoples group?

Should we be more pro-active in leaning a foreign language.

Open for discussion

I’ve said for years

churches need to have services in many languages. Even if only 6-7 are present

empower your people pastors

many of them speak multiple languages

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

I dont think that it is due to a lack of ability- but we think we don't need to,
so most do not see a need to put forth an effort.

Rather, we should challenge ourselves.

We may be talking about different things here. Not everyone is capable of being a Shakespeare or a Pushkin. This does not mean one shouldn't strive to do his best, or should avoid learning another language altogether.

And the younger one begins, the better the success is likely to be. It is often said of children that they don't so much learn a language as acquire it. And it is far easier for a child to learn to speak with a native accent.

 

[George Antonios]

Started this this thread so as not to hi-jack another thread.


Outstanding



One of my greatest regrets -is that for having been in Germany for 8 yea rs - I never bothered to learn the language. - at one point, I worked at the family furniture warehouse - we contracted a German moving company to do the work (I was the supervisor) .Only the driver knew English - the other two did not know any English. What a perfect opportunity to learn German.
But for most GI's - we lived on an American base - rarely shop on the local economny, and the Germans we worked with, for the most part all spoke English. -
As far as Americans in the US learning a foreign language - well - I drove from Texas to NY to Ga then the NW - went thur Canada - and finally to Alaska - Drove 8,000 miles - and the entire trip was in English. In Europe - if I drove 8k miles - I would have traveled several countries - all with different languages. ----IMHO - us Americans need to expand our knowledge at least in Foreign languages.

******************************************

So do you speak a foreign language?

Does your church have services for a foreign language peoples group?

Should we be more pro-active in leaning a foreign language.

Open for discussion

Wednesday night in English
Friday night in Chinese
Sunday morning in English
Sunday evening in French

It's Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Here cultures retain their mother tongue.
(there are pros to that, but a huge con also: division/no patriotism)

 

[Two Wings]

So do you speak a foreign language?

Does your church have services for a foreign language peoples group?

Should we be more pro-active in leaning a foreign language.

Open for discussion

not really. 5 semesters of French. I can stumble through it with a gracious Frenchman ... though I did successfully order myself a ham/cheese sandwich at DeGaulle, no corrections. International man of intrigue! ;P

No our little church is English only.

I think if a congregation is led to become involved in such mission work, then yes provision is also for the learning of that area's primary language.


I could probably put more effort into learning more languages. Hopefully (if I don't get fired on 5 Jan), I'll be returning to "long-haul" international flying and it will be good to be somewhat conversational in many languages. The smarty phones are making it much easier to communicate essential information.

Great thread.

 

[Marooncat79]

Does Kentuckian count as a foreign language?

masking for a friend

 

[Salty]

Does Kentuckian count as a foreign language?

masking for a friend

Masking or asking for a friend???


Let me add another question to the OP.

I agree that in many parts of the USA - that 90+% speak English

So how about our churches sponsoring classes for a foreign language or two
Possibly a school teacher would be willing to donate an hour or so, once a week.....

Even if she is not a member of your church - or even a Born again Christian -
Hmmm - that could also be outreach!