Language stuff

[itsmagnetic]

Comments

[graeco_celt]

Hmm, very interesting

[graeco_celt]

Oh, forgot to say that I'm a prime example of how bilingual NZ is not:

Language freak, willing to learn whatever is available to me, lived in NZ for nearly 30 years.

So how is it, if NZ is bilingual, that I don't know more than a few common words and phrases?

[itsmagnetic]

Agreed. It sounds a lot like Spanish in California, except that Spanish ISN'T official in any capacity. Or maybe better yet Spanish in New Mexico, where it is official, but that effectively means nothing.

[champagnesheik]

It is all quite interesting, I agree with you! I love to hear about it from you, since you're there and all :) And it sounds like you're having a great time. I do love the McDonalds in Spain, and it makes me happy to hear they have Catalan menus. I think menus are how I first started studying Catalan.

[itsmagnetic]

Hey, you'll be here soon enough! I can't believe they don't have Patates Deluxe in the United States. So much better than regular French Fries.

[dungeonmouse7]

Not really a rant, I'd say, but interesting nonetheless.

[itsmagnetic]

Ya, I guess it isn't a rant, just a long observation.

[chrismu]

GOOOO little languages!

[itsmagnetic]

Woo! At the risk of being pedantic, I feel obligated to mention that Catalan is actually #7 in the EU in terms of number of speakers. Not actually that small! But statelessness has a way of making it feel small, I guess. They have more speakers than Danish, not that Danish is exactly a giant, but still.

[chrismu]

Figured it wasn't tiny, but yeah. Danish is a little easier with its specific border, though it's a small one too. Seriously half of Denmark speaks English pretty well or fluently, it's so easy to wander around.