September 11, 201511 yr French? Would never have guessed it. However, at one time I worked for a company with European operations and our manager over there told me that there's a lot of egos involved with all the languages spoken. Everyone insists on doing business in their own language but French is one everyone will accept because no one is threatened by the French. Therefore many Europeans spoke French in addition to their native language. I always thought that was pretty funny but maybe she was on to something. French: Lingua franca
September 11, 201511 yr French? Would never have guessed it. However, at one time I worked for a company with European operations and our manager over there told me that there's a lot of egos involved with all the languages spoken. Everyone insists on doing business in their own language but French is one everyone will accept because no one is threatened by the French. Therefore many Europeans spoke French in addition to their native language. I always thought that was pretty funny but maybe she was on to something. French: Lingua franca There better be some English speaking folks around to once again bail the French out!
September 11, 201511 yr Meh. I think broken English will be the language of the world as long as the US economy is at the top (which I hope not but I guess that could change by 2050...)
September 11, 201511 yr I knew there was a reason I took all that French in high school and college! Wanted to make sure I was well prepared in my upper 60's!
September 12, 201511 yr I don't agree with that happening. I think spoken English will keep growing in non-English speaking countries and will easily be the largest spoken second language for years to come.
September 13, 201511 yr French? Would never have guessed it. However, at one time I worked for a company with European operations and our manager over there told me that there's a lot of egos involved with all the languages spoken. Everyone insists on doing business in their own language but French is one everyone will accept because no one is threatened by the French. Therefore many Europeans spoke French in addition to their native language. I always thought that was pretty funny but maybe she was on to something. French: Lingua franca Well their lack of action during the two World Wars is probably the reason. I wouldn't be threatened by them either. That is interesting however. I would have thought it would be Spanish.
September 15, 201511 yr The United States , Russia , or China aren't speaking French as a primary language anytime soon. The entire premise seems silly. The days of Europe dictating the world are long past.
September 15, 201511 yr The United States , Russia , or China aren't speaking French as a primary language anytime soon. The entire premise seems silly. The days of Europe dictating the world are long past. Agreed, I don't see it. I speak a few languages, not great but well enough, and I never thought about having to learn French.
September 22, 201511 yr Agreed, I don't see it. I speak a few languages, not great but well enough, and I never thought about having to learn French. I've always wished I had learned at least one other language. I've mastered Appalachian English but that's about the extent of it.
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.