What is Culture?

[ReganAndCarter]

Native English speakers are by far the worst communicators outside of their country, in the world.

Yes, but you're not comparing like with like. When our ancestors civilised large swathes of the world, we didn't just drag them out of the Dark Ages. We also bequeathed them our English language. It's an international language, it's used by Americans (almost) who distribute it in films worldwide. The best music will mainly be sung in English. English is often used in trade and commerce. It's also the univeral language of aviation.

I go to Czech Republic a fair bit. and try with the very difficult language. But Czech is only useful in CZ. If a Czech learns English, it is far more useful to them than just visiting England/UK.

The Dutch kid was speaking English because Dutch are very pro British for some reason and it's an international language. Doubt he would have spoken German so well, even though it's next door.

 

[Munroast]

the yanks should be forced to pay for using out language - seriously, Trump would be slapping tariffs on us if it had been the other way around

 

[ReganAndCarter]

the yanks should be forced to pay for using out language - seriously, Trump would be slapping tariffs on us if it had been the other way around

Awesome!

 

[blup]

Isn’t culture just multiple cultures under one national roof, a wine drinking classical music snob who thinks the Beatles is beneath them is just as much a cultural thing as grunge death metal heads on smack.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

When our ancestors civilised large swathes of the world, we didn't just drag them out of the Dark Ages.

Maybe some of them didn't want to be dragged or pushed out of whatever into whatever. Seems to me they had very little choice in the matter. Maybe, if the UK is losing its Britishness, it's karma? What goes around comes around?

 

[denso13]

When our ancestors civilised large swathes of the world

From Africa? We all came from there after all.

 

[JohnD]

Many parts of London have inhabitants who cannot speak english at all.

Many parts of Spain have inhabitants who speak nothing else.

Do you speak many languages?

 

[ReganAndCarter]

From Africa? We all came from there after all.

Allegedly. Even if we were, we've evolved. Though some are definitely trying to reverse the process.

 

[denso13]

Even if we were, we've evolved

Yea, but we all have those African genes in us, even you, lol...

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Maybe some of them didn't want to be dragged or pushed out of whatever into whatever.

You could be right. Countries like Zimbabwe, S. Africa, etc, etc are definitely dragging themselves back to their level.

'Developing countries!'

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Yea, but we all have those African genes in us, even you, lol...

Some conceal theirs better than others. LOL...

 

[johnny2007]

Many parts of Spain have inhabitants who speak nothing else.

Do you speak many languages?

Only 4 fluently.
You?

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Maybe, if the UK is losing its Britishness, it's karma? What goes around comes around?

That's always a very strange and non-sensical attitude. So your 18th century ancestor stole a loaf of bread? You should be punished hundreds of years later?

Time to let it go.

 

[JohnD]

Only 4 fluently.
You?

Three to varying degrees, and two I hardly remember.

You will be aware that British people are generally remarkably poor at learning other languages.

So will be on shaky ground if they try to criticise foreign mastery of English.

 

[Gerrydelasel]

That's always a very strange an non-sensical attitude. So your 18th century ancestor stole a loaf of bread? You should be punished hundreds of years later?

That's an excellent example of what is not British (especially English) culture. Blood feuds, family feuds, and collective punishment, ARE considered quite normal in various cultures around the world, but not here. And it prickles us to see it creeping in.