Kali2
When did you go to school? Was a foreign language not always compulsory at school? I am surprised.
I totally understand that learning a language can be challenging for some, however the foreigners that come to live in the UK are expected to learn, and most of them do, and very well. And they often even have an alphabet or way or writing which is totally different, and it must be difficult ++++ for them. There is truly a 'British exceptionalism' present - 'ah well, they all can speak English, so why should we bother'.
But Lincslass, if you regularly spent significant amounts of time in a foreign country, if you had a holiday home there, or if you emigrated and lived there- would you not think it would make sense to learn the local language? Not just to get by ordering in a restaurant, but to communicate with locals, try and understand how it all works, the culture, and, tbh, as a form of respect?
Once you do speak the language well enough to go beyond just 'getting by'- even if you make mistakes- your whole relationship with locals changes, and they truly appreciate you making the effort, taking a genuine interest. I have no intention of going to live in Italy, but we go regularly, and it is amazing the difference speaking some Italian makes.
My husband is a scientist, and only scraped his French 0'Level- but he has earned so much respect from everyone here for making the effort from day one- people love his British accent, and forgive all his mistakes, correct him gently, or pull his leg. If he had made the decision to just shout louder in English, he would have never made the friends he has here.
I always remember a German business man who came to speak to my 6th Formers. He was quite witty and when a student asked him about the difference speaking German for a British business when conducting transactions. He smiled, and replied 'We are very happy and competent to speak English to you when we are selling. When we are buying- it is a different matter. We are much more likely to award a contract to a business that is prepared to negotiate in German.'
No, I went to school in the 60s, secondary modern , no languages unless you went to Grammar school. Self taught German, not fluent but enough to get by and be understood. I don’t think it is our fault that English has become the language of business. Perhaps more countries should insist on their own language being learnt by incomers. DS taught herself, when emigrated, using crosswords and dictionary. No luxury of lessons for her. I agree people miss out if they don’t learn the language of a country they choose to live in. I include people who have lived in the UK for years and still can’t speak the language. Not only the British who don’t learn the language of the Country they choose to live in.