Does any of you speak a second language ?

[CCWorksforme]

I'm just curious about it, I have a friend whose parents are from China, he is first generation but he doesn't speak Chinese, well maybe a couple of words

[shibbs]

The wife speaks Mandarin on about a 3rd grade level. I had no idea for the longest time. Her parents were kinda funny while raising her. "We're in America. We speak English now," or something to that effect. I seldom hear her speak anything but English.

I know just enough Spanish to either get me laid or slapped. Most likely slapped. lol

[ChrisBlair]

I used to be conversational in French. The funny thing is, I am friends with a guy from Haiti and sometimes we speak in 'French', although I'm trying to remember French and he's speaking French with LOTS of Creole thrown in, and I think it's to make me screw up...but sometimes when we talk, I suddenly remember a verb or phrase that I had thought I had forgotten completely.

I don't think I'll ever be 'conversational' in French again though.

I know a few words of Chinese. A bit of German, mostly nonsense. And enough Spanish to get me into a fistfight.

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by shibbs

"We're in America. We speak English now," or something to that effect.

My Grandmother on my Mother's side and her two brothers came to the US from Italy when Mussolini was getting a bit too much. My great uncle Eugene was with Patton in Italy and actually passed by the old family vineyard that was sold to send him and his brother and sister to the US.

My Grandmother forbade them to speak Italian in the house, although all three were fluent. They were in America now, and they were Americans. I respect that standpoint. if I moved to Tuscany I am sure I'd be expected to speak Italian.

Oh! I forgot my Italian skills. I can sing a Dean Martin song in Italian. Does that count? And I can also say va fa Napoli.

[rebelyell22]

I've learned a decent amount of spanish from my trips to Nicaragua.

[Royal Tiger]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

My Grandmother on my Mother's side and her two brothers came to the US from Italy when Mussolini was getting a bit too much. My great uncle Eugene was with Patton in Italy and actually passed by the old family vineyard that was sold to send him and his brother and sister to the US.

My Grandmother forbade them to speak Italian in the house, although all three were fluent. They were in America now, and they were Americans. I respect that standpoint. if I moved to Tuscany I am sure I'd be expected to speak Italian.

Oh! I forgot my Italian skills. I can sing a Dean Martin song in Italian. Does that count? And I can also say va fa Napoli.

Too bad many of the recent entitlement filled hispanics don't share that same philosophy. My grandmother on my mom's side was the first of her family born in America (Sicilians) and were the same way.

[jrhagen]

Ore wa sukoshi nihongo o hanaseru yo.

[CCWorksforme]

Originally Posted by shibbs

"We're in America. We speak English now"

Generally speaking, I'll never understand this, is like they were ashamed of their roots.

Originally Posted by shibbs

I know just enough Spanish to either get me laid or slapped. Most likely slapped. lol

Probably both JK

[shibbs]

Originally Posted by CCWorksforme

Generally speaking, I'll never understand this, is like they were ashamed of their roots.

I thought the same thing - So I asked. Her older sister said it was a racism thing. To sum it up very shortly: People are scared of what they don't know.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by CCWorksforme

Generally speaking, I'll never understand this, is like they were ashamed of their roots.

I'm first generation Chinese and don't know a lick of Chinese. I can understand Cebuano since my parents were born/raised in Cebu in the Philippines.

It's not really being ashamed of your roots, it's essentially assimilating with the culture here and what you actually use. The fact of the matter is I have no reason to know Chinese or to speak Cebuano since the predominant language in the US is English, and that's what I studied in school. Plus I know enough Spanish to get by in most situations, especially here in Florida.

[CCWorksforme]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'm first generation Chinese and don't know a lick of Chinese. I can understand Cebuano since my parents were born/raised in Cebu in the Philippines.

It's not really being ashamed of your roots, it's essentially assimilating with the culture here and what you actually use. The fact of the matter is I have no reason to know Chinese or to speak Cebuano since the predominant language in the US is English, and that's what I studied in school. Plus I know enough Spanish to get by in most situations, especially here in Florida.

I understand but I was actually referring to shibbs wife's parents, as they forbade their children to speak their native language.

[CCWorksforme]

Originally Posted by rebelyell22

I've learned a decent amount of spanish from my trips to Nicaragua.

Cursing doesn't count JK

I know for a fact those are the first words mostly everyone wants to learn in spanish

[shibbs]

Originally Posted by CCWorksforme

I understand but I was actually referring to shibbs wife's parents, as they forbade their children to speak their native language.

Not so much forbade, but definitely didn't enforce the learning of the language. The only accent she has is a slight New Jersey one. I still giggle at her for saying "shtreet" instead of street.

[CCWorksforme]

Originally Posted by shibbs

Not so much forbade, but definitely didn't enforce the learning of the language. The only accent she has is a slight New Jersey one. I still giggle at her for saying "shtreet" instead of street.

I have another friend she's 3rd Generation, I heard her speak spanish once so I ask her, she said she can speak it but she is so conscious about it.

i guess it has something to do with her accent, but not bad for a 3rd gen.