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No one is going to stop you from speaking English in the Netherlands. Heck, most people there will speak to you in English since you probably don't know Dutch. If someone is speaking in a foreign language here to someone else that speaks that same language, I don't see the point in freaking out.
Heck, if I moved to the Netherlands, I wouldn't expect me to pick up a full understanding of Dutch overnight.
Nevertheless I would still feel it was my obligation to learn their language, as it is their country, and their rules.
Interesting that now the Muslim population is a problem. Language wasn't a problem when they were recruiting people from predominantly Muslim nations for labor. And perhaps they should have thought about all of this before colonizing nations are predominantly or significantly Muslim.
Uh; back in the day many European countries took down many other places, not just Muslim land. I really think if Muslims back then would've been that big a problem, they'd be murdered on the spot.
No one is going to stop you from speaking English in the Netherlands. Heck, most people there will speak to you in English since you probably don't know Dutch. If someone is speaking in a foreign language here to someone else that speaks that same language, I don't see the point in freaking out.
Heck, if I moved to the Netherlands, I wouldn't expect me to pick up a full understanding of Dutch overnight.
Word is Dutch is real easy for an English speaker to learn.
Interesting that now the Muslim population is a problem. Language wasn't a problem when they were recruiting people from predominantly Muslim nations for labor. And perhaps they should have thought about all of this before colonizing nations are predominantly or significantly Muslim.
Interesting?
Actually, "Muslims" have traditionally been a "problem" for many European countries going back hundreds of years.
Beginning with the way the "Muslims" conquered, colonized, subjugated - and often enslaved - Europeans and encroached into various countries in Europe, such as Spain and Portugal .... all before any European country EVER decided (or could) colonize a Muslim country.
So would you speak Dutch or English if you ran into an American in the Netherlands?
If I ran into an American I'd speak English. However; if I'm dealing with the Dutch, I feel that it would be my obligation to learn their language, and communicate with them accordingly.
That I have no problem with, I take issue with people who seem to think we need to force people to speak English only in America.
You can't force people to speak any language in their private life.
However, I do not agree with accommodating those that feel no need to bother to learn English... or whatever language. English is one of few things we can have that can unite Americans as a people.
And I say this as someone whose grandparents lived in the US for 30ish years and never really learned the language.
You can't force people to speak any language in their private life.
However, I do not agree with accommodating those that feel no need to bother to learn English... or whatever language. English is one of few things we can have that can unite Americans as a people.
And I say this as someone whose grandparents lived in the US for 30ish years and never really learned the language.
No argument here.
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