Foreign (non English speaking) Members

Dave Blackhurst · November 3rd, 2011, 09:41 AM

I think that MOST if not all education systems out there teach English (maybe not so much in the US... but that's another topic) - while I've heard that learning Mandarin is likely to be a requisite in the future for "doing business", I think most "educated" individuals will likely have at least a crude working ability with English.

As a guitar builder, I always used to get a laugh while out in public mentioning "the bodies hanging in my garage/shop" - you'd be surprised how quickly the crowd backs off when you say something like that...

Every industry has it's own "lingo", and there is so much slang and ubanese that a "universal translator" alas is probably a far off dream, even for those Klingon speakers....

For now, English with all its quirks and nuances will probably be sufficient - perhaps if there were sufficient demand for dedicated fora with different languages, they could be added, but as it is, sometimes those Brits go off and start speaking their own language, and I've seen a couple others here and there too, which should suffice?

Wendy Sarrett · November 4th, 2011, 01:59 PM

Dave, I have to agree with you about languages and cultures all having their own slang, etc. Years ago I worked with a lady from Taiwan originally who speaks perfect English. One of our managers decided to have an Ice Cream party and sent the email our with a "Pirate speak" theme. My coworker was totally perplexed as she was unfamiliar with "pirate slang." There's also the difference between British and US English. If someone doesn't have exposure to the other dialect (British English for an American or American English for a Brit) it can lead to confusion as well.

November 3rd, 2011, 09:41 AM	#61
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: Foreign (non English speaking) Members I think that MOST if not all education systems out there teach English (maybe not so much in the US... but that's another topic) - while I've heard that learning Mandarin is likely to be a requisite in the future for "doing business", I think most "educated" individuals will likely have at least a crude working ability with English. As a guitar builder, I always used to get a laugh while out in public mentioning "the bodies hanging in my garage/shop" - you'd be surprised how quickly the crowd backs off when you say something like that... Every industry has it's own "lingo", and there is so much slang and ubanese that a "universal translator" alas is probably a far off dream, even for those Klingon speakers.... For now, English with all its quirks and nuances will probably be sufficient - perhaps if there were sufficient demand for dedicated fora with different languages, they could be added, but as it is, sometimes those Brits go off and start speaking their own language, and I've seen a couple others here and there too, which should suffice?

November 4th, 2011, 01:59 PM	#62
Wendy Sarrett New Boot Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Reston, VA Posts: 8	Re: Foreign (non English speaking) Members Dave, I have to agree with you about languages and cultures all having their own slang, etc. Years ago I worked with a lady from Taiwan originally who speaks perfect English. One of our managers decided to have an Ice Cream party and sent the email our with a "Pirate speak" theme. My coworker was totally perplexed as she was unfamiliar with "pirate slang." There's also the difference between British and US English. If someone doesn't have exposure to the other dialect (British English for an American or American English for a Brit) it can lead to confusion as well.