Job Discussion Forums

[sheeba]

Jzer
Those friends that I do speak to in 2 languages at the cost of communication tend to see our exchanges as merely a way of 'practising' language - perhaps the �beauty � that they feel from using the language- but there is no real motive inside them(other than their own feelings of �beauty�) to find out about that person and their deeper feelings .
In their minds practising language is more important than �feeling communication� and that seriously(IMO) affects ones chances of improving their language skills anyway.Practising language for the sake of practice isn�t going to help if there is no intrinsic desire to know about a culture and a race.

That�s why I sometimes get annoyed with Chinese around me who are prepared to forfeit any feeling between us because they just want to practice English language . But asJustin says � That�s when it�s time to move on and find another �friend�

[JZer]

[JZer]

sheeba, I would say that it is a choice. Does someone want to make a friend or practice a foreign language? Everyone is different and some people want both. I am also annoyed by some Koreans who only want to speak English to me. I am not annoyed by the fact that they want to speak English but by the fact that they show no consideration for others. It is the feeling of being used that bothers me.

A real friend would try to speak Korean with me as well as English. I have some Korean friends who speak English and Korean to me as well as friends who have no interest in English and speak Korean to me regardless whether I understand or not.

[sheeba]

No but once we have established an understanding we can move on further . Once we can understand each other as people we can start to really learn language .

[sheeba]

And it is a choice yes . But choosing to 'practice' language all the time is not always so beneficial - again IMO.

[natsume]

[Justin Trullinger]

This whole topic is loaded with assumptions; cultural and personal.

Frequently a person who switches to your native language, or one they believe to be your native language, is doing it to help you. Especially if they sense that you are struggling with theirs.

Sometimes it's a desire to practice.

Sometimes a desire to show off.

Frequently, it isn't even especially conscious. (For example, in the most touristy parts of town, waiters often speak to me in English. It's been driven into their heads by experience that white guys don't speak Spanish. I do, as it happens, but...)

If you value the potential relationship with the person in question, talk about it.

If not, don't worry about it.

Best,
Justin

[Glenski]

sheeba, you continue to amaze and confuse me.

If you both speak each other's language (not just yes and no), that indicates both of you are more than culturally aware, but that you can communicate in either one.

What's this "move on" that you keep talking about? Why do you feel that both people MUST speak in just one language to have a conversation? I admit is might feel a little strange, but if the other person can truly communicate (as you have suggested) in English, what do you want to "move forward" to? They have done a good job in learning what we native speakers have taught them, and they had a purpose in mind -- speaking to us in English!

Do you even tell them that you'd rather speak only in Chinese? If so, that would be for YOUR benefit of practicing a second langage, no?
If they speak in English, it's them practicing a second language (from what I gather you don't like that).

And, just what the heck does this mean?

[JZer]

[sheeba]

[sheeba]

[JZer]

[sheeba]

Ok I'll tell them to talk to trees But only friendly looking ones.

I am working more with strategy training this term . The speaking in class is minimal - yes.

[mlomker]

[Thel]