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If/when I feel comfortable with MHing in the UK and decide to head for the sun or snow might I find my total ineptitude of learning a foreign tongue a particular problem?
I have recently been trying Welsh but am always struggling to remember the basics. I gave up trying to learn any other foreign language while on holiday in Greece 20 years ago. I tried to ask for a map in a shop using what I thought was Greek. The shopkeeper replied in perfect English and said Are you Japanese?. I even had my bushy beard at the time!
So does anyone think it would be much of a problem if I'm stuck with Essex speak? Any European countries to avoid?
I would advise going whereever you fancy, but in the week or fortnight before you go get a phrasebook, preferably one that includes a CD, and spend a little time, it really isn't that onerous, becoming comfortable with a few basic words/ situations.
It is the courtesy that matters. The doors and help that it will open will repay your meagre efforts many times over.
I only speaka da English & have found that just a few words of [French] have seen us ok . . . but just incase - we carry a little French/English dictionary/phrase book, as for wider afield I'd have to rely on English spoken slowly & hope for the best !
As for Welsh, Its beyond me !
______________________________________________________________ Quisque competit mea sententiam
(I typed this but canīt remember what it means - thatīll teach me to be a Smarta*se)
Well I find that "Essex Speak" is fine for travelling - it's never let me down.
But if you're going to travel the Continent then do as Dave says - forget about making a prat of yourself - asking for a baguette in French even with an Essex accent will get more respect and response that just pointing.
______________________________________________________________ Tony
Thanks for the good advice folks. Yes - I'm sure that having the courtesy to learn the basic words and expressions should make a big difference.
I do find languages particularly difficult but I suppose it's one of those things which improves so slowly you can't see the difference. Even with my poor Welsh speaking performance I noticed that when I last drove to Anglesey I could understand lots more of the road signs and place-names - and even how to pronounce some of them
I have never found not be able to speak a word of foreign a problem. I suppose it may have been a problem to the foreigners but what used to be sheer lazyness on my behalf not to learn a language I now know there is not a cats chance in hell that I could do it now. Plus in many ways I get alot of fun trying to get others to understand me and even more so abroad.
Why not do what visiting Brits do here in france.
If the message, spoken in English to Pascal Le Frog isn't initially understood speak a little louder. Continue this method until Pascal understands or conceeds defeat and gets someone who can speak English!!!!
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