Other Language Forums

[superbocker]

I thought it would be a good idea to check out the Portuguese CVO Forum. Mainly to see what the locals think and also to read a bit of Portuguese about a subject dear to my heart. I was amazed to find that it is rarely if ever used ( as are the German and Dutch pages ) SO THE QUESTIONS ARE.............

1. Are they just not bothered
2. Are the English the only ones crazy enough to care
3. Is everyone just doing it in English
4. Do they all have their own sites and are we all missing out

Please don't tell me there's a Chinese CVO site and it's the best, Im struggling with the Portuguese.

[HampshireRich]

I thought it would be a good idea to check out the Portuguese CVO Forum. Mainly to see what the locals think and also to read a bit of Portuguese about a subject dear to my heart. I was amazed to find that it is rarely if ever used ( as are the German and Dutch pages ) SO THE QUESTIONS ARE.............

1. Are they just not bothered

Probably not

2. Are the English the only ones crazy enough to care

Probably so

3. Is everyone just doing it in English

Probably so

4. Do they all have their own sites and are we all missing out

Possibly

Please don't tell me there's a Chinese CVO site and it's the best, Im struggling with the Portuguese.

Let's hope not!

Come up the Otter one day and we can discuss

[superbocker]

Oh well, Ask 4 stupid questions etc,etc.

With 70 odd views and only one reply i'll definitely take you up on that drink Rich.

I suppose i should have set the bar a bit lower.

Where is the best place to buy Fish Fingers in CVO for example.......

[blue]

Ok then in reply to all your questions with the exception of number 2.
How the hell would we know?
Instead of posting your questions on the Brit forum how about posting them on the Portuguese, German & Dutch forums. You never know you might kickstart them into action.

[superbocker]

I didn't want to be the only one posting on them.

[Stevie-C]

Please don't tell me there's a Chinese CVO site and it's the best, Im struggling with the Portuguese.

我不知道 和 我不在乎

[shanagarry]

Are the English the only ones crazy enough to care

Those I speak to of other nationalities believe this to be an English forum - in the sense it is for English people only and they are seldom complimentary towards it. As one of the many Irish people who contribute - I do all I can to convince them otherwise. They cannot understand its constant aggressive nature so avoid contributing for fear of verbal reprisal. I suspect there may be a degree of 'fear' for those where English is not their mother-tongue and do not want to come across in a way that they will be ridiculed.

I have ventured onto the German site with a question (in English) and got some very helpful assistance

[blue]

I'm not sure it's because they're scared of an aggressive response, after all it's not the English forum they'd be posting on. Anyway have you heard the way the Portuguese talk to one another, when we first moved out here I thought this was a race that was constantly arguing judging by the heated, animated conversations I saw, with people shouting at each other & gesticulating wildly, then I realized this is just the way they converse a lot of the time.
I think they probably just have their own language forums.

[HampshireRich]

I went on the German forum and didn't understand a word - they had the nerve to post everything in German!

Seriously though, that is half the problem - on the whole we English are too lazy to learn other languages as a lot of other nationalities speak English and can join in on English-speaking forums.

I would love to speak another language, but for some reason just don't seem to be able to get it - some people seem to learn languages very quickly and can speak multiple languages. I know words in French for example, but could not hold a conversation. I probably need to be immersed in the language 24 hours a day to get hte grasp of it - the language speakers say you think in the language you are speaking whereas I always think in English and try to translate to the foreign word.

[Goatee]

I went on the German forum and didn't understand a word - they had the nerve to post everything in German!

Seriously though, that is half the problem - on the whole we English are too lazy to learn other languages as a lot of other nationalities speak English and can join in on English-speaking forums.

I would love to speak another language, but for some reason just don't seem to be able to get it - some people seem to learn languages very quickly and can speak multiple languages. I know words in French for example, but could not hold a conversation. I probably need to be immersed in the language 24 hours a day to get hte grasp of it - the language speakers say you think in the language you are speaking whereas I always think in English and try to translate to the foreign word.

Don't ye think that because the best rock/pop/soul etc songs in the world has always been in english, therefore the europeans especially, get much more exposure to our language than we do to theirs ? Although most people can sing Frere Jacques That's what I've always thought because if ye go to a karaoke in europe the dutch, germans etc know all the words to classic songs.

[shanagarry]

In the main the three major European languages - English, French and German are spoken by their own natives and generally take the view that others should speak their language. This is not just an English failing - so thank god for John Wayne movies in that they helped many people pick up a smattering of English - something they went on to build on. I am amazed at the numbers of people I meet here who have been here for years and have never progressed beyond the 'Bom Dia' stage. On the flip side we have seen many observations on here where the locals converse in English - giving people the 'out' for not taking on the challenge. There's a degree of sense in that insofar as the older person is concerned - it's not an easy language to master so, do I really have to do it?

I have noticed a tendency here for the younger locals to respond in the negative when asked if they speak English - only to find that once you want to buy something their fluency knows no bounds. I guess that's a case of National 'pride' - taking the view that when in Portugal - speak as the Portuguese do - unless they're spending money.

We start Portuguese lessons in October and I am determined to master the basics

[shanagarry]

Don't ye think that because the best rock/pop/soul etc songs in the world has always been in english

Therein lies the problem and is sometimes the root cause for considerable misunderstanding - they know the words - but they don't know the meaning of those words. In my early days as a property owner, I believed I was dealing with a Portuguese lawyer fluent in English. During conversations with them I ensured I put everything in writing only to find to my cost several years later that what was written and what was spoken was not what was understood.

I changed my legal representative as a result and now question every statement to ensure a full understanding on both sides

[Michael Crane]

....We start Portuguese lessons in October and I am determined to master the basics

Sharen already has, she is fluent in "can I have the bill, please?" and "keep the change!"

[TomUK]

This theory about the English being too lazy to learn a foreign language is wearing a bit thin.

O.k. - we go on holiday and are relieved when the waiter/barman/shopkeeper/bus driver/taxi driver, etc. speaks English. I have holidayed in Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Germany as well as Portugal - what are we supposed to do, learn the language of each country before we go?

Fortunately for us, the world's most infuential country, the USA is English speaking (sort of) and hundreds of movies are shown in Portugal and elsewhere with English soundtracks, but with subtitles in their own language (not to mention British TV series - I remember seeing a subtitled 'Gavin & Stacey on PT1 last May). This must help to give a smattering of English to the foreign viewers. Also, the biggest output of recorded music comes from the USA - once again in English. I take the point that when we see the Portuguese singing songs in English they could be doing it phonetically, not knowing what the words mean, but I think they are in the minority.

It is pretty well acknowledged that the best way to learn a foreign language is to actually live in a country for a good while. I know a number of people who have worked abroad for a year or so and have become very fluent in the local language.

One thing that always fascinates me is how much English phraseology is used in European TV commercials - both spoken and written. English is all around - just walk down the street and count the number of Portuguese youngsters sporting T-shirts bearing English slogans. Many Portuguese whom I have discussed this topic with (especially in the service industry) actually prefer us to speak in English because it helps them learn our language which they see as a great advantage to their employment prospects.

I have now visited Portugal about 15 times and have managed to learn quite a few simple phrases which help me get by. I always have an English-Portuguese dictionary and phrase book handy, and if I am going to buy something I try to learn how to ask for it in Portuguese beforehand. Mind you, this can backfire on you, because if you make too good a job of it, the shopkeeper then begins a full conversation with you, assuming you are a fully fledged Portuguese speaker!

Anyway - three more sleeps and we shall be on our way to the sunny Algarve - better brush up on my bom dias and boa tardes!

[superbocker]

I agree Tom, holiday makers are exempt.
I'm not sure about home owners and frequent visitors though, surely we owe it to the Portuguese to get past the 'bom dia' stage.

It is of course interesting that none of the comments made are by non English speakers (as a first language), which pretty much bears out the point that they've either got their own forums (but not with the Orange banner) or they just can't be bothered !

I'm not sure it's to do with lack of language skills, I've yet to meet a Dutch or German who don't leave a number of my work colleagues embarrassed by their lack of being able to put a competent sentence together.