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