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Despite speaking English, German and Spanish I felt like a complete idiot in places like China, Korea or Japan where basically no one else speaks those languages. Maybe OP suffers from a false sense of superiority?
Edit: And yes, I browsed through the language section of my guidebook, but what the hell is the benefit of being able to ask the shopkeeper whether he can speak English when I don't understand the answer...
Especially for American, Canadian and British users, do you ever feel the need, or desire to flaunt your national origin via your language because you know people with yield to you?
No, that has never been the case. In fact, I was once made fun of by someone because I was speaking English - in Rome. If you do any traveling, then you will know that people everywhere prefer that you speak the local language.
Having said that, there are a lot of places in Asian and third world countries where they like to see who's speaking English so they know who to take the most money from.
If you do any traveling, then you will know that people everywhere prefer that you speak the local language.
It totally depends on the situation. If the local in question only speaks his language, sure, he will prefer to speak his native tongue. Kinda makes sense.
But when I notice that a tourist is struggling to form a simple sentence in German I usually just talk English to him (if he speaks English). In this case I prefer to speak English, because it makes life just so much easier.
And to be honest: I don't mind if a tourist says "Thank you", "Please" and "Hello" or "Danke", "Bitte", "Grüß Gott". What's the benefit of knowing that he learned a couple of words from his guidebook by heart?
Edit: @that guy who made fun of you because you spoke English: just an *******. Certainly not the norm.
I would add that speaking English on the part of people who are native speakers (and of European appearance) is not generally seen as special or a "prestige" thing by people abroad.
It can sometimes be seen as a "prestige" thing when people from non-anglo countries know English as a second language.
It's also something of a "prestige" thing for native English speakers to speak additional languages aside from their own.
And finally, I'd say that certain people of non-European appearance who are English speakers (second language and even native speakers) may get some "prestige" from this fact, especially from other people who might be of the same ethnic origin as them, and see the fact that they speak English as evidence that they have "made it".
In France, an anglo speaking good French will have much much more prestige than an English only speaker.
In Europe, more you know languages more prestige you have. Being monolingual doesn't show any prestige, and it's the same in most countries.
OP : you may think you have prestige while speaking English but it's maybe more the fact it shows you are a tourist from a rich country, which give you some "power" thanks to your potential money.
It's not just communication. Speaking Mandarin in a business situation will increase your chances of succeeding with the Chinese because you will impress them, it will win you more favor, that and being able to drink several shots of Baijiu when they insist you not stop, uuugggghhhhhh.
Speaking as an Italian native speaker I'd say that speaking English very well (C1 or above) for an Italian person is seen well.
You aren't considered "special" or "incredible" but, given the considerably low and poor knowledge of English in Italy (just look for the discourse that Italian PM made at Venice in English, it's embarrassing), if you can speak English well then you'll be seen as smart.
Generally an English native speaker isn't seen as sophisticated or superiour but there isn't much hostility towards it owing it to the fact foreign languages aren't that widespread in Italy.
On the other hand, it's undeniable that speaking well one or more foreign languages is seen as very smart and it's praised, especially taking into account the hardship endured in achieving such a fluency.
It might have more to do with my nationality perhaps, but it seems to be triggered when I start speaking English. I see English everywhere, and everyone is trying to learn it since its transcending nations. But my accent isn't very interesting, it sounds standard American with a hint of Californian but nothing special.
I mean I'm not saying that I felt like I dominated the world when I spoke English, but it felt as if I was 'privileged' to be speaking a language. Everyone is trying to learn it and always mimicking it, so personally I felt a little inflated. I understand it has nothing to do with my personality, but whenever I had an issue, I would reluctantly start talking in English and things seemed to move quicker. That's what I mean by yield, like the put down their objections to me. But that happens primarily in poorer countries, or in France's case, with African Immigrants (I should also note that I'm black American.)
It's perhaps the most global language that almost every non-native speaker tries to learn, but when I use it, and my friends as well, its like it elevates us. However in Europe, amongst the people who weren't immigrants or were White, they're just interested in my English--they don't inflate my ego or anything, I'm talking primarily those on the poorer side in Europe, or solidly in the blue collar class.
Asia is a whole different field.
It is only for economic reasons that they want to learn it ,and the least cultured in the country who think it is trendy . It is purely by aggressive tactics and unawareness of the superiority and depth of other cultures that English is so widely spoken .
I am sorry but your post is embarrasing,because there is nothing superior about English, as it is the most common language in the world,and that makes it very cheap . Languages like Italian ,French and Spanish are more beautiful,and have much more beautiful music,and the cultures from which they come, have more depth .
I'm more surprised when a European is interested in languages that aren't in the same family.
It's a shame being "multilingual" means speaking English, Spanish, German, and Italian or something like that.
No.. not all languages normally have a subjunctive.
English is the world language now, it isn't enforced by the natives themselves but by people who speak languages related to it enforcing it since it's already well implemented and feels familiar. Natives have no say in the matter.
English is a language that spread and is spreading via capitalism and business, economic colonialism.
It is only for economic reasons that they want to learn it ,and the least cultured in the country who think it is trendy . It is purely by aggressive tactics and unawareness of the superiority and depth of other cultures that English is so widely spoken .
I am sorry but your post is embarrasing,because there is nothing superior about English, as it is the most common language in the world,and that makes it very cheap . Languages like Italian ,French and Spanish are more beautiful,and have much more beautiful music,and the cultures from which they come, have more depth .
I'm not saying english is superior, but I'm saying being a native speaker (which usually means you sound different than those who speak it as a 2nd language and may have a lesser advanced vocabulary) in certain regions of the world, symbolizes something. I might have put too much emphasis on the language aspect, I mean more-so where you come from. Being an anglo-Westerner, as indication by how you speak english. I'm not arguing that english 'is' superior, I couldn't care less for it.
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