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German Minister refuses to speak English | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : General discussion | ( Topic Closed) |  |
| maaku Senior Member United States Joined 5575 days ago 359 posts - 562 votes  Speaks: English* | Message 49 of 128 13 October 2009 at 6:01am | IP Logged | ||
What's striking is not that a question was asked in English (there was an interpreter at hand), but that the reporter insisted that he get an answer in English. That was ridiculous. But I'd bet money it's not the poor reporter's fault--the BBC probably wanted a clip they could put on their English 24-hour news without translation. Shame on them for doing so. 5 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Woodpecker Triglot Senior Member United States Joined 5812 days ago 351 posts - 590 votes Speaks: English*, Arabic (Written), Arabic (Egyptian) Studies: Arabic (classical) | Message 50 of 128 13 October 2009 at 9:06am | IP Logged | ||
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I still don't understand why that's shameful. What's wrong with wanting a direct quote in English? That's a normal journalistic practice.
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| Walshy Triglot Senior Member Australia Joined 6943 days ago 335 posts - 365 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish, German | Message 51 of 128 13 October 2009 at 11:47am | IP Logged | ||
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Good on him.
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| Loopy Newbie United States Joined 5712 days ago 37 posts - 39 votes Speaks: English* Studies: German, Spanish, French | Message 52 of 128 13 October 2009 at 4:02pm | IP Logged | ||
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That reporter looked absolutely ridiculous.
I honestly have trouble trying to understand why the BBC would have someone who doesn't speak German at a German press conference. He obviously must have missed all of the preceding questions and answers at the press conference. How hard is it to find a reporter that speaks both German and English? Though I am curious as to why the translator was there if this wasn't expected. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Durben Diglot Groupie Portugal Joined 6620 days ago 42 posts - 45 votes Speaks: Portuguese*, English Studies: German | Message 53 of 128 15 October 2009 at 1:11am | IP Logged | ||
What's wrong if I go to the US and wanted a quote in Portuguese in a conference about American elections? Even if the President spoke Portuguese don't you think it would be a little awkward? What you assume normal is that everyone speaks English, and to a certain extent you’re right, but if you're in a foreign country in a conference regarding their internal affairs what is normal is that the matter be treated with the local language, that in your case is English, but this one is German, and forcing any other is just that – forcing. 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Juan M. Senior Member Colombia Joined 5900 days ago 460 posts - 597 votes | Message 55 of 128 15 October 2009 at 5:15pm | IP Logged | ||
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I absolutely love the English language, but I also resent its (and American culture's) dominance and imposition (though in this case the British were at fault), so good for Mr Westerwelle!
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