Words that get on your nerves

Those who go to live in another country and don't attempt to develop at least a basic understanding of the language deserve all the problems they encounter (In my opinion). I have always believed it to be wrong that so much information is translated into dozens, possibly hundreds, of other languages. I wonder how much French beaurocracy is translated into English, Spanish, Italian etc.

 

I suppose perhaps some people end up living in a foreign country having to negotiate a way through life using a language that they don’t understand well, or maybe at all. My BIL has had a couple of Ukrainian refugees living with him since the start of the troubles there. The child picked up English in no time and is currently planning on taking school subjects that will qualify him to ultimately become an accountant. His grandma, a very well educated lady in her 60s, who came over to look after him for what they imagined would be a short spell, has struggled to learn any English despite having gone on courses and been encouraged to “have a go” in everyday life with my BIL.

 

Quite agree! The answer to your question is none, at least where bureaucracy is concerned. Quite the opposite, as there's an increasing tendency to demand certified translations of foreign documents into French. It's win-win for the French as it keeps approved translators very busy and pees off foreigners all in one hit The classic example was when we had to provide 'translations' of UK bank statements during our applications for French nationality
Edited to add: I did notice that there are 'info strips', for want of a better description, on trains, in English and Spanish as well as French. Possibly on other forms of public transport too?

 

@KT53 I quite agree. If you've left your own country for work, love, a different life, it's beholden on you to learn the local ways and language and adapt. I can't be doing with Brits here who don't or won't learn French and stick to English speaking social groups and activities. In the same way, if Bangladesh/Pakistan/Afghanistan/Albania/any number of Asian and African countries didn't give immigrants the freedom they seek then they should not attempt to impose their culture on ours. After all, lack of economic and educational opportunity and cultures like misogyny, mullahs and their preachings, Sharia law etc made llfe hell in their country of origin unappetising if not impossible so why not embrace he opportunities and adapt?

 

@Tidemark I accept the point you make about genuine refugees, particularly the elderly. However, many who have come to the country legally seem to have made little or no effort to learn the language. Putting all the information they need on leaflets in their own language does nothing to encourage them to learn.
A few years ago we were on holiday in Spain and went on a Jeep Safari. One of the people on the trip was a Brit who had lived in Spain for over 20 years and thought it was 'clever' to say he'd never learnt Spanish because all his friends were Brits and - in his words "All the ******* Spanish speak English anyway". As our driver was Spanish that didn't go down too well.

 

So far this morning I've heard interviewees on "Today" say "less simpler" and "more cheaper".

 

That sounds familiar A Brit neighbour said exactly the same thing with regard to the French. Then he wondered why his renovation was costing him twice as much as expected because none of the local builder's merchants would give him a trade account. He had absolutely no excuse for that attitude as they had young children at school which is one of the best methods for integrating Also makes life a lot easier for the kids!

 

The quality of some of the presenters is also declining! I usually listen for an hour every morning but find I am often switching off for health reasons .

 

The prefix "epi" means "over" or "upon". The centre of an earthquake is usually below the surface of the Earth, and the epicentre is the point on the surface that's directly above the centre of the earthquake.

 

@KT53 your comment on the Brit in Spain sadly didn't surprise me - just another example of the ex pat culture. Even my parrot learned to say Ola when we lived there. Admittedly he did struggle a bit with Bon jour when living in France but at least he made the effort

 

The dreaded "pre order" is rearing it's ugly head again.

 

A couple I know who have been here for about 20 years, have never learned much French and always buy their cars in England - son is a motor dealer- their reasoning being that they understood the vehicle's paperwork as well as the salesman and were always planning to retire back to the UK once he gave up surfing. She had the nerve to complain that the bureaucracy has increased exponentially since Brexit. Now it seems the daughter they were planning to live with is getting divorced and the big house is being sold. Maybe next time they'll buy a left-hand drive in France.

 

We were in a restaurant on holiday in Spain and the waiter handed me a menu open to the English page. I can't imagine how he knew we were Brits But he did a double take a few minutes later as he walked past and saw I had it open on the Spanish page. He apologised, saying he thought we were English. I explained that we are but I wanted to understand the Spanish words. From that point on we were friends for life. Each time we walked by we were acknowledged, not just by him but by other staff too. Although that was lovely, it does make you think we were in a very small minority with that mindset. Sad really. We did have some great times in that restaurant to the extent that the staff were happy to make fun of our mangled Spanish and correct us, gently and kindly. My wife was very nervous about ordering in Spanish and spoke very quietly. One waiter said he was deaf and couldn't hear her to get her to speak up. He also praised her attempts. Try and it will almost always be appreciated.
We must have the appearance of people who can take a joke at our expense. In France I order deux cafe au lait. The waiter said "Espagnol?" I said, "No, English". His response? "Ah. Au lait, not Ole!"

 

I sympathise with her, it is much harder to learn new things when you are older. I am struggling with the modern Greek alphabet at the moment.

 

@Baalmaiden I'm having the same struggle. I picked up languages very easily when I was younger. Admittedly they were languages using our alphabet and many of the words were familiar. French, Spanish, Italian. Greek is a whole different matter and, at over 70, I don't think I'm going to get very far.
I'm hugely impressed by the people who have come from Ukraine as so many of them do seem to have managed to get at least a working understanding of English. I don't know how many will have been taught English at school, which will at least of helped.