What is rude? (General discussion) Language Learning Forum

What is rude?
Tags: Convincing native speakers
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Language Learning Forum : General discussion

12 messages over 2 pages: 1 2

Préposition
Diglot
Senior Member
France
aspectualpairs.wordp
Joined 5119 days ago
186 posts - 283 votes

Speaks: French*, English^C1
Studies: Russian, Arabic (Written), Swedish, Arabic (Levantine)

Message 9 of 12

12 January 2011 at 2:11am | IP Logged

Darya0Khoshki wrote:

The question is, is it rude to initiate conversations in the local language with aquaintances who speak passable English, especially if they're English teachers?

I know the obvious answer is no, and I can see both sides of it. For one thing, I think it would really rude for me to speak Arabic with an Iraqi who came to the USA in a group context where everyone was speaking English. But I can also see that they don't have any opportunities other than me to practice with a native speaker.

Wait for them to ask or see if they switch to English? From my experience in the Middle East, Arabs aren't shy about experimenting with other languages, so if they really want it, they won't hesitate.
1 person has voted this message useful

mrwarper
Diglot
Winner TAC 2012
Senior Member
Spain
forum_posts.asp?TID=Registered users can see my Skype Name
Joined 5231 days ago
1493 posts - 2500 votes

Speaks: Spanish*, English^C2
Studies: German, Russian, Japanese

Message 10 of 12

12 January 2011 at 4:43am | IP Logged

See if you can read their signals and get to know how they feel about speaking one language or the other. When in doubt, I'd ask them 'do you mind if we speak/switch to...' or 'would you prefer to...'. Reasonable people shouldn't be hostile to questions like these.

1 person has voted this message useful

polyglHot
Pentaglot
Senior Member
Norway
Joined 5071 days ago
173 posts - 229 votes

Speaks: Norwegian*, English, German, Spanish, Indonesian
Studies: Russian

Message 11 of 12

12 January 2011 at 12:09pm | IP Logged

Again, what were you doing in Iraq? I don't think I have seen any one from the military
on this forum before, this is an interesting development. If you are. However I asked
you this question two times and am starting to wonder...
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Darya0Khoshki
Triglot
Groupie
United States
Joined 5073 days ago
71 posts - 91 votes

Speaks: English*, Arabic (Written), Arabic (Iraqi)
Studies: Persian

Message 12 of 12

12 January 2011 at 10:31pm | IP Logged

I was teaching English. :-) i'm not in the military.

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