On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 11:01:01 GMT, "Bjørnar" wrote:

(BUFDRVR) wrote in
:

I have
traveled to over 60 countries, and I was never is a position
where English could not be used.

Most of the world don't speak english. You wouldn't get far in
most of the asian, hispanic, african and the former soviet
world without some knowledge of the local tounge. You certainly
wouldn't be able to take part in the culture and lives of
the society there.

You will even have trouble in some european countries unless
you stick to the tourist areas or are lucky enough to bump into
the better educated ones.


Point is, unless you've lived and spoken another language and
experienced another culture from the inside, you are in a very
weak position to claim anything much that goes beyond yourself.
Most people know that and naturally keep an open mind at things.


To keep your record at 100%, avoid a very nice resturant on "the
square" in Mons Belgium. The name escapes me at the moment, but if
not for my "pigeon German" I don't think I could have understood
enough to order there. Interestingly enough, the waiter didn't speak
German too well either and I've no clue about Flemish or French. Was
good food though....

Well most americans I speak to are embarrased on behalf of their
own nation for speaking just one language and lack of cultural insight.
In particular they tell me the illiteracy and poor language skills
of the generation growing up today is worrying.


Regards...

Idiot

PLONK

Al Minyard