Why we speak English... (political joke)

**CingularDuality** · 01-05-2004, 03:02 AM

An officer in the U.S. Naval reserve was attending a
conference that included admirals from both the U.S. Navy and the
French Navy.

The French admiral started complaining that whereas
Europeans learned many languages, Americans learned only
English. He then asked "Why is it that we have to speak English in
these conferences rather than you speak French?"

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied,
"Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged
it so you would not have to speak in German."

The group became silent.

Benny_ · 01-05-2004, 04:15 AM

Thats offensive and the political incorrect and factually wrong, I am offended......hehehe only joking Cing, I'm sure someone will take offence though

01-05-2004, 05:27 AM

Screw the French...I thought it was damn funny.

I've never cared for them anyhow....way before 2001 I've disliked them. I flew in a joint excercise with some of there guys and they were mostly pricks. Real snotty attitudes.

Of course, 5-8 people don't make a nation, as there's plenty of cute French chicks I'd like to get to know.

Benny_ · 01-05-2004, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectre

Screw the French...

Aye, the closest I've got is Italian, and she was disturbed.

**H-Hour** · 01-05-2004, 05:45 AM

Quote:

there's plenty of cute French chicks I'd like to get to know.

Like Audrey Tautou!!

**DudeMan** · 01-05-2004, 06:11 AM

hhour the image didnt work here...

oh my god what a great joke though thats it i have stolenm that and i am going to tell that everywhere.... wicked.

Wintermute · 01-05-2004, 10:20 AM

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...

Brooklyn · 01-05-2004, 11:35 AM

Well here in NYC where every language in the world is spoken , spanish is taught in the public schools...

**CingularDuality** · 01-05-2004, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

Well here in NYC where every language in the world is spoken , spanish is taught in the public schools...

Yeah, but it's still an optional course... There's no public school system in the US that requires 4 years of a foreign language. If you look at most of the rest of the world, however, you'll find that most children (even in 3rd world countries that have school systems) learn 3 or 4 languages.

Then again, if everyone's willing to learn your language, why bother with other languages?

**USN_Squid** · 01-05-2004, 12:11 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...

We don't really have the economic necessity to learn another language. Our Borders are shared with only two countries, and one of them is a predominantly english speaking country and the other...well...

When I was in high school I took French because everyone said you had to know it. But in college I could see that Spanish would (does) have a much greater impact on our country socially and economically. Thank god I took all those classes, and even two semesters in Guadalajara, Mexico. I might not have ever met my gorgeous wife!!!! And now my Son will definitley be bilingual.

Vap0r · 01-05-2004, 02:12 PM

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact English is the most widely spoken language in the world. The second language learnt by somebody is almost always English just to get by.

dragon · 01-05-2004, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudeMan

hhour the image didnt work here...

oh my god what a great joke though thats it i have stolenm that and i am going to tell that everywhere.... wicked.

Hey Dudeman I am sure your french friends may get upset LMAO

**USN_Squid** · 01-05-2004, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-Hour

Quote:

there's plenty of cute French chicks I'd like to get to know.

Like Audrey Tautou!!

http://www.geocities.com/audreytautou2/

**H-Hour** · 01-05-2004, 02:34 PM

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.

**H-Hour** · 01-05-2004, 02:37 PM

Oh, and in my school we had to take 2 years of a foreign language in high school, but it was set up so that most people took a year before high school that didn't count towards credits, so they got to Spanish/French/German 3. I took Spanish 3 and, because of a terrible, terrible teacher (that had tenure of course), I knew less coming out of 3 then I did coming out of 2. I can no longer even make a sentence in Spanish.

01-05-2004, 03:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
CingularDuality Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, USA Age: 33 Posts: 16,798	Why we speak English... (political joke) An officer in the U.S. Naval reserve was attending a conference that included admirals from both the U.S. Navy and the French Navy. The French admiral started complaining that whereas Europeans learned many languages, Americans learned only English. He then asked "Why is it that we have to speak English in these conferences rather than you speak French?" Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you would not have to speak in German." The group became silent. __________________ Become a supporting member! -- Shop at the Tactical Market! Take the world's smallest political quiz! "I was touched by His Noodly Appendage." TacticalGamer TX LAN/BBQ Veteran:

01-05-2004, 06:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
DudeMan Join Date: May 2003 Location: london England Age: 22 Posts: 3,258	hhour the image didnt work here... oh my god what a great joke though thats it i have stolenm that and i am going to tell that everywhere.... wicked. __________________ The Queen "Those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life," *Atrocities such as these simply reinforce our sense of community* TheFeniX "Guns don't kill people: effeminate men in green tunics do"

01-05-2004, 10:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
Wintermute Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Age: 24 Posts: 1,166	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... __________________ Wintermute Play EVE online. It's like being an accounting addict in space. www.MakePovertyHistory.com

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01-05-2004, 04:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Benny_ Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 369	Thats offensive and the political incorrect and factually wrong, I am offended......hehehe only joking Cing, I'm sure someone will take offence though

01-05-2004, 05:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Spectre Guest Posts: n/a	Screw the French...I thought it was damn funny. I've never cared for them anyhow....way before 2001 I've disliked them. I flew in a joint excercise with some of there guys and they were mostly pricks. Real snotty attitudes. Of course, 5-8 people don't make a nation, as there's plenty of cute French chicks I'd like to get to know.

01-05-2004, 11:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
Brooklyn Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 157	Well here in NYC where every language in the world is spoken , spanish is taught in the public schools...

01-05-2004, 02:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Vap0r Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 310	Perhaps it has something to do with the fact English is the most widely spoken language in the world. The second language learnt by somebody is almost always English just to get by.

01-05-2004, 02:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
H-Hour Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,437	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.

01-05-2004, 02:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
H-Hour Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,437	Oh, and in my school we had to take 2 years of a foreign language in high school, but it was set up so that most people took a year before high school that didn't count towards credits, so they got to Spanish/French/German 3. I took Spanish 3 and, because of a terrible, terrible teacher (that had tenure of course), I knew less coming out of 3 then I did coming out of 2. I can no longer even make a sentence in Spanish.

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