Message text written by "John Macartney"
>Why is it that 'x' million odd Brits and 'y' million Americans (both
mainly abroad as tourists?) expect some 300 million people living in
mainland Europe are *obligated* to speak English, merely for the
convenience of others who may be too idle or just too pig-ignorant to
learn another language for themselves?
<
Well said, John, but I think you were a bit over the top with the
pig-ignorant bit. Remember, here in the states, with few regional
exceptions, there is little opportunity and even less need to speak French
or German (or Hungarian, et al) so unless one were to specially seek out
classes on the subject one has no option other than to visit these
countries knowing very little or nothing of the language.
That said, if one should go as such one should leave behind the expectation
that everyone speaks english - that only happens in the movies.
Dave Massey
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