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I've been thinking about this for a while and I feel that native English speakers are at a disadvantage to learning foreign languages compared to people who have other native languages because there is so much English content there and I find that when native English speakers try to learn and speak foreign languages it's seem as weird or unusual. How many times a native English speaker tries to communicate with someone in German or French and just because the person doesn't speak like a native and makes mistakes, they switch to English... totally ridiculous. What do you think?
What I can say is that german and french people prefer to talk in English rather than listening to their own language spoken with foreign accent and with mistakes, at least this was my perception. However, it affects everyone, not only native English speakers. Since English is the "lingua franca" of our current world, it's used in these countries with every foreigner.
But, like every other language, some will be easier to a native English speaker, and some won't. French, Dutch, Spanish and the scandinavian languages are relatively easy because the grammar is quite similar (not exactly the same, but similar), while Arabic and Japanese are not.
What I can say is that german and french people prefer to talk in English rather than listening to their own language spoken with foreign accent and with mistakes, at least this was my perception. However, it affects everyone, not only native English speakers. Since English is the "lingua franca" of our current world, it's used in these countries with every foreigner.
It is a lingua franca but that doesn't mean that they should just switch to English especially if the person is making an effort. If you are in France and speaking French to someone there even if you make mistakes why would they assume you can speak English if you are a native speaker of Portuguese?
If the question were "Is it harder for an English speaker to learn a second language?" I'd say... probably yes.
But the way you proposed your question, not really. Allow me to explain:
If the foreign language you wanted to learn were, say, German, you'd have access to exactly the same kind of material as everyone else. A French and an English speaker would have as much trouble finding podcasts in German to listen and train their ear.
But the fact that there is a lot more material in English and it's easier for one to practice if you are a French or German learning English than an English speaker learning French or German.
But the fact that there is a lot more material in English and it's easier for one to practice if you are a French or German learning English than an English speaker learning French or German.
I was playing with the way you worded your question.
Yes I understand what you're actually asking and if you notice I replied to it on the second line.
It is a lingua franca but that doesn't mean that they should just switch to English especially if the person is making an effort. If you are in France and speaking French to someone there even if you make mistakes why would they assume you can speak English if you are a native speaker of Portuguese?
I agree with you, but it's what it happens. They assume that every tourist is able to speak English. Or, at least, in my travels to these countries, this was my impression.
I'm going to go with No. English and French grammar are fairly close, and there are so many Latin-root words in English. The Norman Conquest influence is still alive and well.
Once you learn French, it's easy enough to learn the other Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese).
I don't know how much English has in common with other languages -- I took a year of German and didn't find it very similar at all.
I'm going to go with No. English and French grammar are fairly close, and there are so many Latin-root words in English. The Norman Conquest influence is still alive and well.
Once you learn French, it's easy enough to learn the other Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese).
I don't know how much English has in common with other languages -- I took a year of German and didn't find it very similar at all.
Then why everytime I go to Quebec, they switch to English when I try to speak French? Maybe the question is worded badly but it seems English native speakers are not given opportunities to practice foreign languages without them switching to English.
Then why everytime I go to Quebec, they switch to English when I try to speak French? Maybe the question is worded badly but it seems English native speakers are not given opportunities to practice foreign languages without them switching to English.
I actually wasn't addressing that question at all. But, since you ask. Quebeckers could have different reasons, depending upon the Quebecker. Sometimes, they notice that you're not as fluent in French as they are in English, so to help the conversation go faster and to simply make it easier for you both to understand, they switch to English. You could mention to them that you want to speak in French just to practice.
If they get impatient and huffy, they might just have an attitude. Or, it's actually very inconvenient for them--for example, trying to practice terrible French with a waiter who's in a rush at work might not be the best time to try practising your French.
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