Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Well, it is true enough that English is the universal language these days. I have to say that in all my time in Asia (not to mention a couple vacations in Mexico) I've encountered VERY few people that really couldn't speak basic conversational English.<< I lived 12 years in Mexico City. I can assure you that there are plenty of people who do not speak any English. Bilingual schools are common down there, but they are attended mostly by the upper middle class. Kids in regular (public) schools are taught a little English, but their proficiency is equivalent to what most high school kids get here for languages like French or Spanish (which is to say, very, very little). And people below the middle class (which is the majority of the nation) drop out of school around 6th grade (or before). They never learned English at all (at many are funtionally illiterate in Spanish as well).
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>I also believe that a real education will make you more intelligent, just like working out will make you physically stronger.<<< It is probably just the definition of intelligence that is bogging this down. In my opinion, intelligence is something you are born with, everyone to a different degree. It is the ability to learn. Education increases knowledge but not intelligence. Education utilizes intelligence and expands it to its full potential, but it was always there, just not used. There is a difference, IMHO.
Originally Posted By Any Huis Sorry IF I offended any of you by opening this can of worms. The ONLY thing I think is truly stupid and bigoted is when you INSIST on hearing your "English Only". When traveling in Europe, yes it's true that most Europeans speak English. But it's just plain considerate and humble to TRY to speak a few words in THEIR language. At least learn Yes, No, Please, Thank you, Where is the bathroom, and counting to 10 in the language of the nation you're in. One final language story from Disneyland Paris: While waiting for the pre-show for their version of the Haunted Mansion, some ladies were gabbing away loudly. The Disney cast member politely asked everyone to be quiet so they could start -- first in French, then English. But these loud ladies obviously didn't understand and kept talking. I was really impressed when the cast member then switched to Spanish (I assume) and made the same announcement -- finally shutting them up. Oh, if I could only speak THREE languages!
Originally Posted By Mr X >>>But it's just plain considerate and humble to TRY to speak a few words in THEIR language. At least learn Yes, No, Please, Thank you, Where is the bathroom, and counting to 10 in the language of the nation you're in.<<< I completely agree. However, I've heard from some friends that there CAN be some negative vibes there (at least, in France particularly) where they would PREFER you speak English rather than listen to you "botch" their language. Is there any truth to that? I have to confess, I didn't learn a word of Chinese when I went to Hong Kong. I actually felt bad about it too, and tried to pick up a word or two (didn't really manage...). But, in fairness, I was only there for 2 days.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Education increases knowledge but not intelligence<< There is more to education than just acquiring knowledge. Good writing classes increase both comprehension and expression skills. Advanced math classes will definitely improve reasoning skills. All of these are measurements of intelligence.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "Oh, if I could only speak THREE languages!" I wouldn't be surprised if the CM did actually know 3 languages, as it is much more common for Europeans to be multi-lingual, but I would bet that DLP also trains them with certain phrases like "No flash photography," "Stay behind the yellow line," and "Shut up so the people around you can appreciate the show" in several languages. Since there are enough languages there on any given day, it seems like it would be a natural step for them to take. But still, that's a lot to know, and I would be happy knowing how to say that much in a couple languages too.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< But it's just plain considerate and humble to TRY to speak a few words in THEIR language. At least learn Yes, No, Please, Thank you, Where is the bathroom, and counting to 10 in the language of the nation you're in. >>> You forgot two other essential phrases: "May I have another beer?" and "You're very pretty."
Originally Posted By Labuda I speak English fluently (surprise! lol), and am semi-fluent in French. I can understand Spanish quite well, but only spek a bit, and speak a bit of but cannot read Russian (well, I know the Cyrillic alphabet, but can't read in Russian, if that makes sense).
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Why, in the name of all that is holy, at the Legend of the Lion King (or wahtever the naem is) do they do the announcement in Spanish BEFORE they do it in English?<< Hello? This is Florida. The majority of the people speak spanish here if you have not noticed yet. Ok... well.. not totally spanish, but puerto rican spanish is more like it. Sooner or later, you will need an US passport to visit WDW. Is that really so surprising??? But if you want to place blame..then blame the forefathers of our nation who neglected to make English (from Britain) the official language of this nation.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^ They were mad at Britain remember, that's why driving on the right was adopted (to show appreciation to France) or so I read.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Hello? This is Florida. The majority of the people speak spanish here if you have not noticed yet. << True, but most of the turistas are gabachos.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>They were mad at Britain remember, that's why driving on the right was adopted (to show appreciation to France) or so I read.<<< Wow, you learn something new everyday...I wasn't aware we even had cars back then.;-)
Originally Posted By gaston lives I"m used to hearing spanish announcements, but it was weird that it came first. Where are the minute men when you need them? Just kidding...kind of...
Originally Posted By avromark <<Wow, you learn something new everyday...I wasn't aware we even had cars back then.;-)>> So ties with Britian were healed instantly eh? Let's say something happened to a person when they were 4, there are people who will hold a grudge for a long period of time afterwards.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost ^^^No, not instantly...but long before cars came into the picture. Anyway, I was just joking. I'm sure that there were many reasons why we drive on the right side of the road and that my be one of them.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well Mark, haven't you noticed that the villians in american action films are almost always British
Originally Posted By jaycub <<^^What about Austin Powers?>> Okay, so the British are either villains, or cheesy, corney, outdated charicatures as goofy heroes. I always chuckle that the villain of National Treasure was British. It was like a subliminal message to have the American protagonist keep the treasure out of the hands of the "redcoats." Sadly, Sean Bean is a fantastic actor who is ALWAYS playing a villainous character.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<Sadly, Sean Bean is a fantastic actor who is ALWAYS playing a villainous character.>> Nine times out of ten he usually dies before the credits roll, too.
