Why we speak English... (political joke) - Page 2

01-05-2004, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wintermute

Good joke, but resting on laurels from 50 years ago can't really explain why we fail to be bilingual like most other rich countries. We can't even put it down to our arrogance because the French have got us beat there too...

Well...lets see...

Since English is THE world standard language in aviation, space and Maritime commerce AND now 80% of the "Western world" is English capable, I suppose English is destined to become the complete international standard.

Why should I bother to learn some other primitive language when I speak the world standard???

In order to unify the world, a common language is critical. Where Esperanto failed, English is winning.

**Quarath** · 01-06-2004, 01:04 AM

Maybe it is just me but when I was in high school I was required to take at least 2 years of foriegn language and ended up with 4 years of spanish. Which I never use.

Geisha · 01-06-2004, 01:54 AM

While English is generally the lingua franca for international business, I believe that technically the most widely-spoken language is Mandarin Chinese (based on population). That info could be a few years out of date though and I'm too sleepy to look it up.

<random triva> Ironically French was the main international language for Europe for many years hence "lingua franca"... </random trivia>

**Wolfie** · 01-06-2004, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geisha

<random triva> Ironically French was the main international language for Europe for many years hence "lingua franca"... </random trivia>

This was before the rest of Europe realized that France had no power in international affairs

Wintermute · 01-06-2004, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-Hour

Grr! I give up. This image isn't working either now. Audrey Tautou is French and I'm in love with her. That's all you need to now.

Not if I get there first!

I saw Amile recently and thought it was one of the best films I have ever seen.

**Tempus** · 01-06-2004, 01:27 PM

Well, I live in Cuba (you call it Miami), and I still don't speak Spanish. But it's a rebellion thing, mostly.

**Wyzcrak** · 01-06-2004, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectre

In order to unify the world, a common language is critical.

In order to unify the world, open-mindedness is critical. Everything else can be negotiated.

In high school, I took two years of Latin. People asked me why I was taking a dead language, but it's a wonderful linguistic investment considering so many words in the English language trace their etymologies there.

A powerful Latin vocabulary, accompanied with a strong understanding of the roots of its words, can enable you to become usefully accurate in your initial comprehension of before-unseen English (and other languages) words.

Wyzcrak

**leejo** · 01-06-2004, 04:28 PM

In order to unify the world, power is critical. Open-mindedness can be negotiated.

**Wyzcrak** · 01-06-2004, 04:34 PM

lmao

Wyzcrak

Daxx · 01-06-2004, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leejo

In order to unify the world, power is critical. Open-mindedness can be negotiated.

That Bush's secret policy?

NothingMore. · 01-06-2004, 06:30 PM

Most people speak chinese because they multiply faster than mexicans.

Benny_ · 01-07-2004, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternal

Man you guys are all trying to sound to "worldly" when most people never leave their home towns much less their own country.

I got your back Heather.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0775272.html#A0774735

I don't see American in that list......or even English(US).....

:twisted:

**CingularDuality** · 01-07-2004, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny_

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternal

Man you guys are all trying to sound to "worldly" when most people never leave their home towns much less their own country.

I got your back Heather.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0775272.html#A0774735

I don't see American in that list......or even English(US).....

:twisted:

Bloody hell, man... Just because we took your language and perfected it... :mrgreen:

Benny_ · 01-07-2004, 06:43 AM

Damn straight, y'll did a hot diggety job too dawg

**CingularDuality** · 01-07-2004, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny_

Damn straight, y'll did a hot diggety job too dawg

LOL!

Hey, whatever happened to the rest of WAS? Have you heard from Dan lately? Do they even have broadband in Australia? (It's just not as much fun to call him Australian when he's not here, but I'll do it anyway...)

01-06-2004, 04:34 PM	#24 (permalink)
Wyzcrak Join Date: May 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 14,148	lmao Wyzcrak __________________ Steam Community? Add me. \| Join #tacticalgamer \| Search Results Legend \| New Posts Forum Filter \| Postbox Toggle \| Live Thread Review \| One Line Results \| Free Remote, Encrypted Backup Darkilla: In short, NS is pretty much really fast chess. With guns. Apophis: I haven't seen anyone say that SM's are better than non-SMs. Nordbomber: This is THE first server I've seen where either side can comeback from out of seemingly nowhere with the right teamwork. en4rcment: I have NEVER experienced the type of gameplay that I have found here. Nightly I am amazed at the personalities and gaming talent. Root: Welcome to TG. Feel free to punctuate your sentences correctly. Monkerz: Its gonna take all my skills to beat those boys off in the future.

01-06-2004, 06:30 PM	#26 (permalink)
NothingMore. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Where ever I really want to be. Posts: 1,007	Most people speak chinese because they multiply faster than mexicans. __________________ - 52

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01-06-2004, 01:04 AM	#17 (permalink)
Quarath Join Date: May 2003 Location: Utah Age: 36 Posts: 742	Maybe it is just me but when I was in high school I was required to take at least 2 years of foriegn language and ended up with 4 years of spanish. Which I never use.

01-06-2004, 01:54 AM	#18 (permalink)
Geisha Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 277	While English is generally the lingua franca for international business, I believe that technically the most widely-spoken language is Mandarin Chinese (based on population). That info could be a few years out of date though and I'm too sleepy to look it up. <random triva> Ironically French was the main international language for Europe for many years hence "lingua franca"... </random trivia>

01-06-2004, 01:27 PM	#21 (permalink)
Tempus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Miami, FL Age: 38 Posts: 8,234	Well, I live in Cuba (you call it Miami), and I still don't speak Spanish. But it's a rebellion thing, mostly.

01-06-2004, 04:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
leejo Join Date: Sep 2003 Age: 39 Posts: 7,839	In order to unify the world, power is critical. Open-mindedness can be negotiated.

01-07-2004, 06:43 AM	#29 (permalink)
Benny_ Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 369	Damn straight, y'll did a hot diggety job too dawg

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