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571 posts

Ultimate Geek


Topic # 103578 11-Jun-2012 14:57 Send private message

NZ tends to be a very monocultural society. Even though we have 3 official languages, few are fluent in even 2 of them (and many can't name all three). Having said that, some professions tend to attract a more globe-trotting crowd, I'm thinking doctors and scientists.
How polyglottal is the Geekzone community?

I am only really fluent in English, but can follow some (very) simple written French & Spanish. My brother's fiance however is fluent in about 6 or 7 languages, and can swear in several more, they're raising their sprog to be at least bilingual.

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581 posts

Ultimate Geek


  Reply # 639010 11-Jun-2012 15:30 Send private message

2, although only fluent in one official NZ one.
My native tongue is Dutch. I still find it very easy to read and understand, although writing and speaking (constructing sentences) is a bit rusty now, after not having lived there for 30 odd years.





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  Reply # 639021 11-Jun-2012 15:37 Send private message

English.... can read a bit of German.

Somehow I came in the top 3 of my class for French/German back in 3rd form...




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  Reply # 639030 11-Jun-2012 15:45 Send private message

I was top of my school in 3rd Form French, but gave it up after 4th Form (taken again primarily to score a trip to Tahiti :-)), so now even my rusty French is rusty.

I am multilingual when it comes to software development though. Does that net me any bonus points?

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  Reply # 639042 11-Jun-2012 15:56 Send private message

Portuguese, English, Spanish.




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  Reply # 639045 11-Jun-2012 15:59 Send private message

English, German 3 years, base Mandarin

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Master Geek


  Reply # 639062 11-Jun-2012 16:15 Send private message

English, Portuguese (and rusty primary school Maori)

It's harder to learn a new language without having an environment which enables day to day practice.
Since English is so widely used it is less likely for English speakers to need to learn another language too. Just my theory based on my experiences.

I know our 3 official languages, but won't spoil the fun for everyone :)

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  Reply # 639064 11-Jun-2012 16:16 Send private message

English, Afrikaans




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  Reply # 639065 11-Jun-2012 16:16 Send private message

English, Dutch and some German.



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Ultimate Geek


  Reply # 639067 11-Jun-2012 16:18 Send private message

groynk: 

It's harder to learn a new language without having an environment which enables day to day practice.
Since English is so widely used it is less likely for English speakers to need to learn another language too. Just my theory based on my experiences. 


They say the best way to learn a new language is in bed.
I'm not sure if by 'best' they mean 'most effective' or 'most fun'.

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  Reply # 639093 11-Jun-2012 16:34 Send private message

English and Afrikaans. Three years of trying to learn Xhosa was time wasted though...

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Ultimate Geek


  Reply # 639097 11-Jun-2012 16:41 Send private message

English and Russian. Would like to learn sign language, but don't know anyone locally who uses it to learn from.

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  Reply # 639100 11-Jun-2012 16:43 Send private message

No Klingon yet ?




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  Reply # 639124 11-Jun-2012 17:10 Send private message

IlDuce: English and Russian. Would like to learn sign language, but don't know anyone locally who uses it to learn from.


A mate is Jeremy the earthquake, sign language guy's brother. I didn't know, but about a half hour into a few beers in Summer, hmm, he looks familiar!

I can find out if you want, where are you? 

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Ultimate Geek


  Reply # 639143 11-Jun-2012 17:33 Send private message

English and Mandarin
Trying to learn Spanish now




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  Reply # 639148 11-Jun-2012 17:34 Send private message

日本語を勉強しています (I am learning Japanese) but I'm far from fluent at this stage.

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