Do you find it remarkable when a foreigner speaks a really good version of your language?

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I feel that this was super common a decade or so ago, but seems to have faded since.

Whether online or IRL, coming across a foreigner who spoke a really good version of the local language used to be both remarked and celebrated, but nowadays it feels more like a fact of life than anything, and I find the shift very interesting.

A Korean speaking perfect Spanish? Of course.

A Finn debating on flawless German? What's so weird about that?

Hell, even the vast majority of this site's population is composed of non-native English speakers, yet you wouldn't know that by reading them.

I don't know... Maybe it's the environment I grew up in, but I distinctly recall the considerable effort needed to speak another language being always rewarded with acknowledgement (and even admiration) and I find it a little shocking that it's just another thing nowadays.

Thoughts?

 

[Lokgamer]

Probably that's because nowadays it's practically obligatory to speak English and because of that, it's not soooo impressive to know another language. Of course, if we take your example of a Korean speaking perfect Spanish, the situation might be different, but in general, the need to know English could have broken that perception. Personally, as a person who speaks Spanish (as a native language), English and some Japanese, I don't expect any kind of acknowledgement or praise from other people.

 

[LiberoVulpesLiberoVulpes's icon]

No, language is a tool, there is nothing special about knowing how to use a tool, you know how to use a hammer? Good for you, anyway.

I taught myself English out of need, otherwise its just for bragging rights when applicable.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I don't think it needs praise, but people used to celebrate it until not too long ago. And not within one site or community, either, but across the board.

 

[Lokgamer]

No, language is a tool, there is nothing special about knowing how to use a tool, you know how to use a hammer? Good for you, anyway.

I taught myself English out of need, otherwise its just for bragging rights when applicable.

Same here. I didn't learn English because I liked it or was interested in it; I learned it solely out of necessity.

 

[χKai]

Bruh, I find it amazing when people fr9m my country know how to read, write, and speak the English language

 

[Questless Knight]

Nah I just think poor bastard having to deal with my shitty language when I can speak fluent English.

 

[jankusanagi jankusanagi]

A foreigner speaking my local language very well? Yes, I find that remarkable.

A foreigner, or just any non-english-native speaking decent English? Not so much.


EDIT: Seems most people are missing the point of the actual question of the thread btw

 

[Bakuma1997]

This is a English only thread?

If not, i find it mostly interesting, but as mentioned not much of a big deal to know Spanish, i am legit mor impressed of German and Japanese speakers, especially writers of the later

 

[Tonberry]

I do get impressed when native English speakers speak good Swedish (I’ve only encountered this once or twice though) because the rules are so extremely different.
Terms and article are like backwards for those languages.

 

[petran79]

Nowadays there are people more fluent in English than their native language

 

[.Shiranami]

i tend to find it pretty impressive because "standard" brazilian portuguese (the way is taught at schools) is not really common almost anywhere i think. There are tons of variety in accent, and some regions have veeery strong accent (North east, south, MG accent and "carioca" accents for example). I might be biased here but i feel like North accent is closer to standard (unless you are talking to someone from a small city so they will have an extremely strong accent that is very different from the rest of the country, and also speak very fast and "singy"). And of course, for that reason speaking standard portuguese might still sound a bit "off" for most brazilians because most dont speak like that - everyday brazilian portuguese is extremely slangy and informal, and you might be talking like that even to your boss or whatever "important person" and they will talk to you that way too despite "hierarchical differences" so to speak.


Due to all that variety (and i havent really even scratched the surface here), seeing someone not brazilian being able to pull off even standard will be extremely impressive because even most of us dont speak that way (It kinda sounds like youre trying too hard, i guess is a good way of putting it.. or that you might be very pretentious), but then when you see a gringo speaking with convincing north eastern accents or MG accent thats when everyone's mind just blow and nobody can stop laughing and being impressed hahahah. But ill be honest, absolute majority of brazilians dont really care either, you can just speak whoever you manage to, and no matter how gibberish you sound, everyone will still talk to you and be very sociable. They might even have an uncle or 2 who sound just as incomprehensible to you, and that never stops that uncle to be the funniest of the group lol.

Since youtubers noticed how easy it is to get views from brazilians it started being more common, but i dont really think brazilians will ever get bored of it and stop being impressed when gringos speak portuguese.

 

[secreto7]

I still get happy when some foreigner speaks or understands Spanish, but only for a moment.
Maybe it's because thanks to Internet and global culture these days isn't that uncommon?

 

[Mopeybloke]

I live in Rio de Janeiro. About 2 years ago, I was having my hair cut at the then usual place, and while talking to the barber, he happened to mention he was an immigrant. He was Venezuelan, and there was barely a hint of foreign accent in him. He also asked me where I was from because I speak with an accent, and I had to say... I'm from right here.

I feel that this was super common a decade or so ago, but seems to have faded since.

Where are you talking about? Cause it will depend on the place. Some places just don't get many immigrants or tourists, so they probably would still be surprised.

Bruh, I find it amazing when people fr9m my country know how to read, write, and speak the English language

USA?

 

[χKai]

I live in Rio de Janeiro. About 2 years ago, I was having my hair cut at the then usual place, and while talking to the barber, he happened to mention he was an immigrant. He was Venezuelan, and there was barely a hint of foreign accent in him. He also asked me where I was from because I speak with an accent, and I had to say... I'm from right here.


Where are you talking about? Cause it will depend on the place. Some places just don't get many immigrants or tourists, so they probably would still be surprised.

USA?

Yes..
People's overall general intelligence has been dwindling to an all-time low. It is quite the sorry state of affairs.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

I'm always impressed and inspired by the fluidity and mastery a lot of non-native speakers of a language display. You gotta grind a lot of hours to sound mostly natural if you didn't grow up in a bilingual household. I know some people say it's not impressive on here but give yourselves some credit for putting in the work! Unless you were born into it, then just give your elastic lil baby brain the thanks I suppose

 

[petran79]

I still get happy when some foreigner speaks or understands Spanish, but only for a moment.
Maybe it's because thanks to Internet and global culture these days isn't that uncommon?

it is the easy form for Internet communication with net slang and jargon.

Eg English is a language where almost every noun acts also as a verb or can have 10 different meanings. You can not find it in net discourse and it would leave majority of non-natives who haven't spent time in an English speaking country baffled .

 

[Skellerick]

Yes, specially when someone comes from a completely different linguistic root. Many languages are similar and "easy" to learn, but when you have other linguistic root it's very difficult to master another language.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

I still get happy when some foreigner speaks or understands Spanish, but only for a moment.
Maybe it's because thanks to Internet and global culture these days isn't that uncommon?

I notice here in the US when you speak Spanish to native Spanish speakers, they're usually very supportive and excited. I make sure to be the same when people are practicing their English on me haha. The internet/global culture thing is DEFINITELY beneficial for learning a new language because I can just watch some dude from Mexico or Argentina or somewhere talk about Donkey Kong Country in Spanish for hours lmao. Pretty easy and fun practice.

 

[secreto7]

What I wanted to say is that I'm still happy that I can speak with others on my own language or another, but I don't take it as really extraordinary, since we are just people communicating, even if we don't speak very well.
Another thing that makes me happy is finding good people to talk to, since sometimes it's difficult for me to interact with others or expressing myself.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I still smile when I remember those two Canadians speaking perfect, heavily-accented Spanish in Mar del Plata.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

What I wanted to say is that I'm still happy that I can speak with others on my own language or another, but I don't take it as really extraordinary, since we are just people communicating, even if we don't speak very well.
Another thing that makes me happy is finding good people to talk to, since sometimes it's difficult for me to interact with others or expressing myself.

It's true that it isn't "extraordinary" per se - but languages are interesting, fun, and rewarding to learn. It's cool being in a forum or at a bar or something where multiple languages are getting thrown around. And yeah you're right - honestly what's more extraordinary is talking to my neighbors in Central and South America about the same niche nerd shit I've been growing up with here in my neck of the woods. Thanks for that RGT! lol. Spanish or English or Portuguese or what have you lol.