Rudeness and foreign language
02-September-2010
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Rudeness and foreign language

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We’ve got quite a melting pot of different ethnic groups here in the United Kingdom.  However, our primary language as spoken by the vast majority of people is still English as far as I am aware.

People talking, foreign language, excluded from conversation

I can fully appreciate that foreign visitors cannot be expected to speak the language, after all I can’t speak Spanish and I have visited Spanish owned islands on many an occasion.  I do try to make an effort and learn a few phrases though.  It takes time to learn English and as long the people who have moved to this country at least make the effort, I have no problem with that either.

Language used to cloak their conversation

However I take great offence when people use their native tongue to cloak their conversation in the presence of others who do not share their language.  It is just plain rude and quite unacceptable, particularly so when they were speaking English perfectly well just before you walked into the room.

It happened to me only just now as I went to our company tearoom to make a round of drinks.  A couple of people were in there having a discussion, about what I don’t know and I am not interested anyway, when suddenly they started speaking in some eastern European dialect.

I’m not trying to be funny, or racist.  But if you want to have a private conversation, go somewhere private and have it.  Don’t use your language to exclude those around you, as it is extremely anti-social.


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English is the best languague ever.....But it would be a great gift to speak in many tongues..
*Autumn Sunset  31-Aug-2010 11:16

 
Has anyone ever been to a Welsh speaking area of Wales? if Welsh speakers know that you don't understand the Welsh language, they just love using the Welsh language to speak about non-welsh speakers.
I think that speaking in a language that even one person in a group does not understand is the hight of bad manners and ignorance.
I can accept that there are some cases where people who do not have a good grasp of English to use their "Native" language to explain something to each other that they may not understand or cannot pronounce in English.
But lets face it, there are almost no "Natives" in Wales who cannot speak or understand English (except by choice) so WHY? do they need to speak in Welsh when in the company of Non- Welsh speakers? In this case it is just PIG ignorance as far as I am concerned.
*Alan G  29-Aug-2010 14:10

 
that was probably some eastern european language not "dialect". I am just wondering if you any less rude then they are, or you just an ignorant... You know eastern europeans having their own LANGUAGES not like you dialects only... enough to switch on television, pure spoken english... hehehe. and for your information they are entitled to speak whatever language they want despite you around or not. any doubt? check in citizen advise bureau. I did. It my be a bit rude to other people around not understanding this particular language I agree, but compering to personal culture (farting, burping, disrespecting forein people) I am faceing every single day at work that is just nothing. Anyway they probably were speaking about some more complicated things then fish and chips or weather, so I don't think you could be interested in... Best regards
*Robo  11-Jun-2010 17:27

 
What about the English peoples that don't even bother asking if the person they talk to in a foreign country speaks English before starting talking straight in English. That's rude to and it doesn't shows a lot of social skills. At least try to speak one or two sentence in the language of the country you visit, even if it's just to say hello and ask if they speak english...
*Radar  15-Mar-2010 14:32

 
Adapt to the culture hosting you. When in China my host beams with pride when I belch at the table. Back home, my wife is less amused.
It's simple common sense. If you can speak the common language of the culture you're in, and choose to speak a foreign tongue, in the presence of those not able to understand you, it is rude and disrespectful. Offenders don't have to agree with the etiquette of the culture they visit, but they really ought to abide by and respect it.
*Brock  21-Jan-2010 03:33

 
Chris - yes, Britain is only 40 km away but we're talking about the sea, not just a short trip by road. I think the reason we don't have French, Dutch or German TV here is because it's rubbish. The BBC, on the other hand, produces some excellent programmes.
*NickyB  31-Oct-2009 18:55

 
Brits in Wales watch Sianel4Cymru in Welsh and Brits in Scotland watch BBC Alba in Gaelic.

Which Brits struggling to speak anything but English are you talking about? The ones in England perhaps?
*Neilyn  26-Oct-2009 16:45

 
Why is there no free to view foreign channels in Britain?

Britain is only 40km from the coast of Europe but yet you can't even find one French, Dutch, German, Italian or Spanish television on freeview. What's up with that? I'm sure if you go to Europe you can always find BBC, CNN or at least one English channel yet Britain doesn't bother having any free foreign channels.That might also explain why Brits struggle speaking anything but English.
*Chris  16-Oct-2009 21:13

 
"The Welsh do switch back to Welsh from English when they know that someone from England is listening and I've encountered it several times in shops and pubs in North Wales. Other nationalities certainly do the same but sadly, in my own experience the Welsh manage to make a point of being rude to the English."

Am be goblyn ti'n siarad? Tydi'r Cymry BYTH yn newid o'r Saesneg i'r Gymraeg pan fo rhywun o Loegr yn gwrando. BYTH!
*Neilyn  19-Sep-2009 16:45

 
I hope to speak english fluintly someday in my life
*Abo akram  15-Sep-2009 22:52

 
The Welsh do switch back to Welsh from English when they know that someone from England is listening and I've encountered it several times in shops and pubs in North Wales. Other nationalities certainly do the same but sadly, in my own experience the Welsh manage to make a point of being rude to the English.
*BargainHunter  13-Sep-2009 14:40

 
I agree with the person who made these comments, I am from Kashmir,English is my 2nd Language, But I always speak in English in presence of others who don't understand my language,I think its rude and arrogant not to respect other peoples in same work place or same room,
*Mohammed  30-Aug-2009 04:25


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