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I wonder if more Americans would travel through Europe if they knew how easy it is. EVERYBODY speaks English. And yet, you still get to experience the cultures

I wonder if more Americans would travel through Europe if they knew how easy it is. EVERYBODY speaks English. And yet, you still get to experience the cultures and augment your worldview a bit.

ralfn 14y ago
Not really. You can talk in English with any dutch citizen, but without being able to read our books, watch our tv, hear us talk, you dont really get a clue. What you get is a not a first hand view, but a 2nd hand view, from the worst observer possibe. Im pretty sure, that language is key to any culture. And because of that Americans, even when they travel, will have less understanding of the culture, than the natives have of the states, simply because we can actually read your constitution, watch your daily show, know your founders and the culture that shspes your idenity. Want to learn about the world? Dont travel! Learn a language.
- antidaily 14y ago
  I saw your TV. It was dubbed Simpsons and porn at night. It was great! I don't think my mediocre-to-decent French helped me appreciate France any more, but if you say so.
  - ralfn 14y ago
    But thats not what shapes our culture. To understand a country you have to see how it handles its debates, how it reports its news. Here's a reasonable question: were you able to notice the quality of the poltical debate? Its nothing special within Europe, but the kind of nonsense that passes for a polticsl debate in the states is quite a contrast.
  - ralfn 14y ago
    Ah, you learned a little french! Good. Have you read or listened to, for example Brel?
- nickgeiger 14y ago
  > Want to learn about the world? Dont travel! Learn a language. I read that to mean "Learn English", which makes sense, but is not very helpful to an American because only learning English as a second language gives the advantages you described. I totally understand your point, but coming from the other side as an American, what language should we learn? Disclaimer: my kids will be learning Mandarin Chinese.
pawelwentpawel 14y ago
A lot of people do speak English. Some probably, even though not from UK, on a native level. Yet still, coming to Europe and demanding people to speak English is not the way to go. I don't say that you have to be proficient in all european languages but at least an attempt of communication is a sign of respect. I've seen situations when english-speakers were following a strategy based just on shouting louder in their own language. Certainly not the way to experience the cultures and augment your worldview.
nicholassmith 14y ago
Well, not everybody but enough in the touristy areas speaks it, but like someone pointed out to me; "for them learning English is occasionally something you do in school, how much French do you remember?". Google + patience solves those situations though.

I wonder if more Americans would travel through Europe if they knew how easy it is. EVERYBODY speaks English. And yet, you still get to experience the cultures and augment your worldview a bit.

ralfn 14y ago

Not really. You can talk in English with any dutch citizen, but without being able to read our books, watch our tv, hear us talk, you dont really get a clue. What you get is a not a first hand view, but a 2nd hand view, from the worst observer possibe. Im pretty sure, that language is key to any culture. And because of that Americans, even when they travel, will have less understanding of the culture, than the natives have of the states, simply because we can actually read your constitution, watch your daily show, know your founders and the culture that shspes your idenity. Want to learn about the world? Dont travel! Learn a language.

antidaily 14y ago
I saw your TV. It was dubbed Simpsons and porn at night. It was great! I don't think my mediocre-to-decent French helped me appreciate France any more, but if you say so.
- ralfn 14y ago
  But thats not what shapes our culture. To understand a country you have to see how it handles its debates, how it reports its news. Here's a reasonable question: were you able to notice the quality of the poltical debate? Its nothing special within Europe, but the kind of nonsense that passes for a polticsl debate in the states is quite a contrast.
- ralfn 14y ago
  Ah, you learned a little french! Good. Have you read or listened to, for example Brel?
nickgeiger 14y ago
> Want to learn about the world? Dont travel! Learn a language. I read that to mean "Learn English", which makes sense, but is not very helpful to an American because only learning English as a second language gives the advantages you described. I totally understand your point, but coming from the other side as an American, what language should we learn? Disclaimer: my kids will be learning Mandarin Chinese.

pawelwentpawel 14y ago

A lot of people do speak English. Some probably, even though not from UK, on a native level. Yet still, coming to Europe and demanding people to speak English is not the way to go. I don't say that you have to be proficient in all european languages but at least an attempt of communication is a sign of respect. I've seen situations when english-speakers were following a strategy based just on shouting louder in their own language. Certainly not the way to experience the cultures and augment your worldview.

nicholassmith 14y ago

Well, not everybody but enough in the touristy areas speaks it, but like someone pointed out to me; "for them learning English is occasionally something you do in school, how much French do you remember?". Google + patience solves those situations though.