speaking english??

[gina32]

i have just been reading about a polish woman who was up in court for a driving offence, she had to speak via an interpreter, the article then went on to say she had been here or at least working here for the last 5 years, surely she should have learnt to speak english by then? im now waiting or the back lash!!!

[tonyav]

Why is that then Daffy.

[stewey]

Slightly off topic, but I've met a lot of British, mostly older, who have been over here for many years. Yet they still use terms like bonnet, boot, petrol, lift, footpath, braces, tube, crisps etc etc. They know damn well the terms are "incorrect" but are too stubborn to change.

[NoMercy]

My friend who is Venezuelan has an 11-year-old son. He was born in Miami, lived in England for 5 years and now lives over here. He speaks fluent English, Spanish, Valenciano and French.

hc4 has made a very good point about the English who live in Spain. Particularly those who dwell near Benidorm and Torrevieja - as long as they have a constant and uninterrupted supply of Heineken and Fish and Chips, they are happy. And as far as they're concerned, it's the locals who should be learning English ! lol

[cazzz1975]

I couldnt agree more gina, I I was living in another country I would take the time to learn the language and try to fit in with the locals.

[sophie_1003]

Maybe she speaks English but had been advised to speak through an interpreter so that she didn't say anything she didn't mean without realising it. If that makes sense?

[gina32]

yes it does but at the same time tax payers money is being used to pay for an interpreter, its all wrong,

[sophie_1003]

Yes, agree that she should have learnt English by now and yes it should have come from her pocket if she was the one to request an interpreter in the first place.

[hc4361]

TWR. Maybe you need to learn English before you criticise others. It is lose, not loose.

[TWR]

Jesus Christ hc I intend to kill myself, It that all you can reply on? I think I have spelt the correct.

[TWR]

Oh I forgot to add,I speak 2 lauguages, & NO i do not want an orange.

[jake-the-peg]

I still think you ought to at least have tried to do something before giving out about how slow other people are in doing so.

I'm sure a lot of people go to France and Spain fully intending to learn the language. But when they get there they find themselves mixing mostly with ex-pats and find learning the language much harder than they thought that they would. Especially if they're older.

I'm sure it's quite similar for people coming here.

We need immigration in this country - specifically we need the sort of immigration from young people who come here to settle down (not the "hard working" ones who earn money and just send it all home out of the country!).

And that means interpreters will be needed for those who have a problem with the language