"you're English is better than my [WHATEVER LANGUAGE IS THEIR NATIVE]" should be the go to line, even if you speak their language fluently.
They're making an effort to save you from one.
I never get it twisted when someone who’s knew to the U.S. struggles with the language. I only speak English. I can’t imagine doing what they’re doing. They are great!
Heck yeah!
It’s difficult to learn another language. Harder as an adult.
Very hard when working a full time job.
Damn near impossible when working two full time jobs.
I admire anyone who tries
Love this! This is so true because many people only speak one language. And, it takes courage to travel or being in places where your language isn’t spoken. It’s only through the graciousness of strangers that you can navigate.
Exactly this! Sometimes I work late and see the cleaning staff in the building. We’ll talk and I guess they think when they are struggling for the right word that I’m getting impatient and they will apologize, but I never am! Like you said, they’ve done something so brave and I love to chat lol
Do you mean most people from the United States? Most countries promote learning another language in their public schools. Not us. Learning another language would take away from teaching how to protect ourselves during a school shooter.
Here's what I have to say about our language: hair, here, and hare. Anyone who is not a native speaker and HEARS those words without context; well, may the odds ever be in your favor.
All of this. People are often afraid to speak English because a-holes mock them for their grammar. Then those same a-holes will turn around and yell at them to speak English. Like, they tried and you made fun of them for it. What else do you want from them?
I applaud them for being conscientious in wanting to use correct grammar, etc. Too many people don't seem to care much to get it right, then wonder why they're being misunderstood.
I wish I had Spanish speaking neighbours. 💙
Not many in my part of 🇦🇺. I’ve been learning in Duolingo off and on for a few years. But I’ve never met anyone who speaks the language in person. 🥺
My kids think I’m pretty good at it, but to a native speaker, I’m pretty sure I sound like a 4 year old. 🤷♀️
I laugh remembering my grandmother's story. She and her other sisters were born in the US of Italian immigrant parents, but their older sister Angela arrived from Italy much later. Grandma and her sisters did make Angie's life absolute hell by telling her to use the wrong English words!
I understand that English is a particularly difficult language to learn too. Most of the people who speak English as a second language are actually far more eloquent and use much more complex language than most of the natives
English is my second language. My entire family speaks with various degrees of accents, I’m the only one without one. I will admit there’s something really wrong with me because I have no patience for people with accents. And it sucks because I live in an international city. I know, I suck
I'm always excited to meet a person from another country and I'm so busy being interested in their story that I could give 2 shits about their English. Also I need to know all about their favorite foods from "home." Because food. Mostly I want to hear about food. 🤷🏻♀️
To anyone whose first language isn't English, and courageously speaks English, you have my support and respect. I have to apologize for my French and I'm Canadian!!!
When I was in Paris, everyone gave me a break. They were kind, gentle and sweet, not like here.
The guy at the pastry shop that we visited every morning, would simply take the money out of my hand, count out what was needed and leave me with the rest.
Relearning French after 5+ years of it in school many years ago. Can read some and understand some. Speaking is a whole other thing. Kudos to anyone who takes on a second language, especially as an adult. And English is difficult. I know native speakers who don't speak it correctly.
Comments
They're making an effort to save you from one.
It’s difficult to learn another language. Harder as an adult.
Very hard when working a full time job.
Damn near impossible when working two full time jobs.
I admire anyone who tries
https://youtu.be/14bHfnkr6rM?si=5l_sCHfBNBGA2aks
& Like our conversations were often short with short words but like still in English. That's speaking English.
Was educated 1970-1973 in english . 😇🥹🥰
I think part of the reason why is because of their limited vocabulary, so they have to think and be much more intentional about what they're saying.
Most native speakers don't give much thought to the words they use.
Not many in my part of 🇦🇺. I’ve been learning in Duolingo off and on for a few years. But I’ve never met anyone who speaks the language in person. 🥺
My kids think I’m pretty good at it, but to a native speaker, I’m pretty sure I sound like a 4 year old. 🤷♀️
English? Hah! Though I do speak Hiberno-English (the English spoken in Ireland), so we tend to bend the rules to suit our mood. Small defiances etc.
The guy at the pastry shop that we visited every morning, would simply take the money out of my hand, count out what was needed and leave me with the rest.