Non native english speakers

[stormsven]

Im really curious - did you guys and galls, who started learning english from the very first moment when you saw some light - are we fun for you? Whit our stupid posts and a lot of mistakes? Give us please some funny quotations . And there must be some funny or not so misunderstandings . And what about GB, AUS and US slang. Did you have fun whit that too?
p.s. hopefully (im sure actually) this stupid post made some smiles on your native english speaking faces

 

[THAFUZZ]

Im really curious - did you guys and galls, who started learning english from the very first moment when you saw some light - are we fun for you? Whit our stupid posts and a lot of mistakes? Give us please some funny quotations . And there must be some funny or not so misunderstandings . And what about GB, AUS and US slang. Did you have fun whit that too?
p.s. hopefully (im sure actually) this stupid post made some smiles on your native english speaking faces

Hey Storm, I don't think about it that way at all. There are so many here from Non Native English speaking countries that do very well. It would be very arrogant and frankly, stupid to expect people from all over the world to type and speak perfect English. I am proud of their accomplshiments to learn another language. I've been to, and lived in several countries and realize how they are taught to learn English but in the U.S., we don't have to. They're "elective" or "optional". I seen it through other's eyes. I just enjoy that we can all communicate about something we all love/enjoy. That, to me, is the coolest of all. Hell, we have people here that can't spell correctly, or speak it either. Mine isn't perfect either. So, I don't judge. I wish I could speak a 3rd language. 5 would be cooler. FYI, I'm a 'TEXICAN', born in Texas and grew up speaking both Spanish and English. Probably more like 'Spanglish'. We are all jacked up in some way.

 

[Fatdog]

Hell, we have people here that can't spell correctly, or speak it either.

Just watch any show on MTV.

I had taken two years of German in high school, but never got to use it much in conversation. I have forgotten much, but with translators, I can usually get it close.

 

[Mrs. Fatdog]

Hmmm I'm still a newbie in this bbxery world, so I don't have much activity that I can reflect on. But so far, I haven't seen anything too glaring that made me say "yep, he's not from around here". I've picked up on some guys from England or Australia I think, because they use "mate" instead of friend.

Keep in mind though, I work for a worldwide company that has offshore call centers (that I trained). You combine that with Customers fluent in Pennsylvania-Yankee speak, Michigan / Wisconsin - Canadian, Lousiana (oh dear, they have their own style), and good deep Southern speak, and I've seen / heard it all.

I can translate just about any "English Dialect"

 

[redbenjoe]

i am shocked how most of you guys have our lingo 100% perfect

 

[Mrs. Fatdog]

I guess more importantly, what do we say that makes you guys have to look it up on Google? I KNOW we have tons of sayings and mannerisms that to non-US folks make 0 sense. Honestly, when training our Call Center in Manila, I had to include a chapter on 'common' words / phrases. Like "y'all", "you-ins", 'fixin to", "gonna".....

 

[THAFUZZ]

My wife Kathy is a 'HOOSIER' (From Indiana) and she kills me when she describes something high "Up There" on a shelf as being "UP-AIR". Her Mom "Warshes" her car and clothes. Yes Stormy my friend. Our different styles of speaking 'English' probably confuse all kinds of people. As I said before, we're all mixed up here too.

 

[jaetee]

Somehow, this place manages to prove to me every day that this is THE BEST online community ever. This thread is today's proof.

Having lived in Germany for almost half of my life, I grew up what could be described as a bi-cultural environment. My father is American and mother is German, and I have German and American family and friends who have been part of my life since childhood and I have spent lots of time with people from other cultures (in school, around playgrounds, in school, sporting clubs, around dinner tables and in drinking establishments). I speak German almost as well as I speak English.

And the #1 complaint I've ever heard from Europeans about the Americans (speaking mostly of US Military members stationed overseas) is that they feel many Americans take the English language's "universal language" status for granted and leave the impression that we do not even try to learn other languages. Even worse, they felt that many Americans they have come to met "EXPECT" everyone to speak English.

I would usually end those types of conversations with comparisons of the immature history of the US and it's vast size, versus the historically more mature and culture-dense area Europe, and how there is little opportunity for your average American to use for other languages regularly, except for maybe Spanish and French (if you live anywhere near Quebec, Canada). Whereas in metropolitan Europe, it is common to meet people from any number of countries. In Germanay, Latin is still taught in middle and high schools becasue it is such a strong root-language for many languages. I also stress that Americans do come from a very diverse mix of origins and that what they have witnessed is not necessary the norm. These are always great conversations that usually end with a couple of long toasts and a few sloppy drunks.

Anyway, it makes me feel good to see the attitudes on display here. Great topic.

 

[baddboybill]

Jeannie and her family are originally from Ukraine. Her grandparents were taken to Nazi camps where they escaped and went to Brazil. So on top of them knowing English they also know Ukranian, portuguese, and German...Not bad

 

[stormsven]

Thanks for the replays. Yea we are a lot of big and small countries around here in Europe and probably any european will speak a few words at least from other few languages. The funny thing - was watching once a British movie (Lock,stock and two smokin barrels, or Layer's cake, not sure now which it was) whit friends in MO ( ). And they asked me about few words in the movie (film ) and one of them told me - "damn those guys are not speakin english" But im pretty sure there should be some funny mistakes. For example im almost always typing first "with" instead of "whit" and i know is a mistake but still doin it regularly . Saw for example a member from germany typed "dick" ( he sure was intending to use "fat" like for the cool meaning but just typed it on german). I got it right away but probably some were confused and so on . And im sure you'll start watchin us more careful now and will catch some funny things. And please post em. We are not goin to be mad. We can have some fun .