why do we speak english ?

[TurboIndian]

WHY DO WE HAVE TO SPEAK ENGLISH?

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a Naval conference that included admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a group of half dozen or so officers that included personnel from most of the countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked: "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"
Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied: "Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German."

[gordyzx9r]

Jest or true story?

[Red Regal T]

As you can see by their most recent behavior concerning Iraq, the French really didn't appreciate the favor.

[TurboIndian]

Originally posted by gordyzx9r
Jest or true story?

it must be true, I read it on the internet! I found this on a Pontiac website I go on.

[gn85]

Why do we speak English?? Because English is the international accepted language. That's just the way things worked out and it burns France's ass.

The French really have the attitude that THEY are the best, therefore their language, food, culture and everything else is top-notch and should be the world. It's an attitude they have, and I've heard that from many nationalities outside of France. Not just Americans.

I have no problem with Americans learning other languages. There's nothing wrong with being diverse and skilled as multilingual. But, at the end of the day... English IS the international language. When I lived in Europe, I would hear many instances where people from different countries, both not native English speaking countries, would use English as it was a commonly understood language. This goes with business as well as every day life.

I just heard on German TV a few weeks ago (In German) that this happens all the time with the police. When they pull over people from outside of Germany, they speak English with them, since it's likely that the police will not speak their language (Spainish, Russian, Polish, Italian are very common) they will use English as a intermediate.

By the way, it's the queens English and American English that are competing for top prize.

[NJTurbo]

............

[Phatman]

Originally posted by gn85
Why do we speak English?? Because English is the international accepted language. That's just the way things worked out and it burns France's ass.

By the way, it's the queens English and American English that are competing for top prize.

I must really be out of the loop, I was under the impression that Spanish was the international language...

[0to60n4.5]

Originally posted by TurboIndian
WHY DO WE HAVE TO SPEAK ENGLISH?

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[jeff wilson]

i thought it was so we didnt know what everyone was saying at I.D.R.C.IMPORT NATIONALS!!!!!!!!!!!

[2QUIK6]

It is strange, but in all of the European countries I've been to, most everyone speaks their native language and some English. So if everyone knows some English why not use it in such settings as the one you described...far more people know English as a second language than any other language I'm guessing.