I would like to touch on the question of learning the official language of a country by it's immigrants (yes, that was the question which we were supposed to discuss on October but better late than never;)).
In my opinion the ability to speak a local language is absolutely necessary to live in a chosen place (unless you can afford an interpreter).
I can't imagine to live in some country and not to know even the basic words or expressions. I think the acquaintance with language allow us to feel at home. It really facilitates our life abroad especially when it comes to go through the formalities in the different institutions, when you have to visit the doctor or simply when you want to make new friends.
Otherwise I think that if we want to settle in another country, we should integrate with local community and respect it's laws, traditions, culture and then also the language.
My grandmother lives in Szczecin, right next to a german couple that does not speak polish and expects us to learn german so that we can communicate. What is more, they are constantly outraged with the fact that we don't speak their language. So it's hard for me to argue with your point of view, I totally agree ;)
ReplyDeleteThis story about your grandmother is shocking and a little bit funny =)
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious that people have to learn the foreign languages if they would like to live in other country. Maybe it won't help feeling like at home, but thanks to the language a connection may appear in the different spheres of life.
Iza, it's JANUARY 2015, and your blog got stuck in November 2014. Do something about it, please.
ReplyDelete