Powell Says France will Face Consequences for Stannding up to the US - Page 6

DinoDoc · April 28, 2003, 16:52

Quote:

Originally posted by yago
Well, anyway, English, ..., is by far the easiest language to learn.

Bereta_Eder · April 28, 2003, 16:54

It is. Of course don't expect good sense from mississippi.

Spiffor · April 28, 2003, 16:59

English is the easiest language that I have tried until now, but I haven't tried esperanto.

English is nearly impossible for a foreigner to master. But it is pretty simple to exress one's view with this language. OK, the correct answer is "dumbed-down English is the simplest language to learn"

Alexander's Horse · April 28, 2003, 21:04

Quote:

Originally posted by DanS
Blair is hitting on the central issue. France trying to set up a rival power to the US, with France as the center, is about the dumbest diplomatic and geopolitical move I have seen in a long time. Why did France try it? Are Chirac and De Villepin that clueless?

No the French Government never had pretensions to set up a rival power. They are Gaullists and like De Gaulle himself they get what they want within the Western alliance, Nato, the EU, the UN, wherever, by being difficult and throwing tantrums. Worked like a treat in the past. Probably will again this time.

The anglo sang froid is no match for the Gallic hissy fit

I'm expecting the US and France to kiss and make up, on French terms, any day now

Blair has already patched things up with Chirac. Blair took the initiative to do so - just what the Gaullist always want - Anglos crawling to them.

What's been amusing about all of this is how easy its been for the French to press American buttons. Not surprising though - we see here on the OT every day just how brittle and thin skinned Americans can be. Its a major diplomatic weakness for the United States.

Plus ca change!

Ted Striker · April 28, 2003, 21:41

DanS, Drake, and Big Crunch

Urban Ranger · April 29, 2003, 02:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiffor
English is nearly impossible for a foreigner to master. But it is pretty simple to exress one's view with this language. OK, the correct answer is "dumbed-down English is the simplest language to learn"

Mastering English just like old Will? I reckon at least 99% of all native speakers don't have such a high degree of mastery.

Alexander's Horse · April 29, 2003, 03:31

English speakers generally have a shameful disregard for other languages.

The French feel this keenly.

Spiffor · April 29, 2003, 08:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
keenly.

What does this word mean ?

TCO · April 29, 2003, 11:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
English speakers generally have a shameful disregard for other languages.

The French feel this keenly.

This is how we troll without even meaning to do so. It makes their discomfort that much more sweet, that we don't even give a ****...

Menlas · April 29, 2003, 13:21

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiffor

What does this word mean ?

Apparently, 'keen' means "pénétrant" here.
So i suppose 'The French feel this keenly' means "Les Français le perçoivent particulièrement bien", or something like that.

Spiffor · April 29, 2003, 13:34

Merci Menlas

Yet we are the evil anti-internationalism with our language laws

Menlas · April 29, 2003, 14:00

In terms of language laws, german is a must too

However, i heard that german is easier to learn than french for an english speaker... but it sure is an horror for a french

Spiffor · April 29, 2003, 14:05

I'm living in Germany, and they seem to be completely lax with their language. English pollutes advertisements and TV big time.

There are the beginnings of a reaction, but there is nothing similar to France's laws in Germany, at least that I know of.

Menlas · April 29, 2003, 15:18

I agree with you Spiffor. I went several times in Germany, and in fact lived in a family (near Frankfurt). There I understood what "cultural hegemony" meant, really.