How many languages do you speak, read and write?

Question

I’ve read that the US is WAY behind most other countries in that most students graduate from high skool only comprehending one language. I would go further to suggest most US citizens barely comprehend English, our de facto national language. So which languages do you speak, read and write? Also, where were you educated?

WindAtMyBack · Accepted Answer

When you say "way behind" it implies that someone SHOULD learn multiple languages, as if that's some kind of inherent truth.

I think a big reason why learning other languages is not as big in the US is because there just isn't a good reason to. That's not as true as it used to be, but there is still some truth to it.

Not all that long ago a person in the US could potentially go through their entire life without ever hearing someone speak another language in person. That's probably still possible in some places. When I lived in California, I could go to the mall and hear ten languages in ten minutes. Where I live now I commonly go months without hearing another language. I've gone over a year without hearing another language.

I speak English myself. I learned a little Spanish in high school, but that was 50 years ago and I remember virtually none of it. I really have no reason to learn another language.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

English obviously. I can read Spanish quite well and can speak enough of it to get by. I also speak and understand some limited German, French, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, and Latin. Just basic words and phrases. Things like “yes/no, hello, how are you, please and thank you.” Things like that.

Blackcosmo · Accepted Answer

I am perfectly fluent in English and I can understand just a little basic french and write a bit.

I can understand my home language fully but I can barely speak it. I can fully read Arabic and write it but I can't really speak it and I can understand it only a little bit.

I am planning to learn Japanese one day and how to write it.

Pinay_ako · Accepted Answer

I speak 3. I learned from my home country. I can read and write all 3

Sandeeppingping · Answer

English, French, Arabic and Italian

I also understand a bit of Brazilian and Dutch ever since I befriended some dudes from my time in Brazil and the Netherlands when I was training for my first fight, can you believe I went to Amsterdam and didn't smoke a single joint? That's how ruthless I was with that shit

bean2k21 · Answer

The rest of the world is just behind in understanding that American is a superior language.

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

3 german, English and french. born, educated and living in germany

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

Only one sadly. But to be fair, the US is a huge country and not everyone here lives in close proximity to Mexico or French speaking Quebec. In Europe you can make day trips to other countries. But that is simply not the case for a majority of us living in America.

Regardless, I understand people in Latin America know English, but that has a lot to do with American culture, music and movies being this worldwide thing

josephinelcajon · Answer

My English teacher would say none but I say I get by with English and can hardly order water or find a bathroom in Mexico 😂

KrakenAttackin · Answer

Yup. Our wonderful heavily unionized and politicized educational system I'm the US has been failing since I was a young kid.

Hardworkingguy · Answer

I can speak two languages equally well

roy_ricky09 · Answer

Write/speak - English, Hindi, Punjabi,

Zolly99999 · Answer

I can barely speak English lol🤣🤣

SunnyHeythere · Answer

Three

How many languages do you speak, read and write?

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