Re: CHAT: Need a word for these!

En réponse à Almaran Dungeonmaster <dungeonmaster@...>:

>
> When a Dutch person pronounces his English with his Dutch phonology,
> the
> general tendency is to believe him to be not too smart  and not too good
> at
> the foreign language he speaks, even if he knows a lot of words and
> grammar.
> Phonology is one of the most important ascpects in Dutch language
> teaching.
> I had English and German from the age of six in school, not to learn
> much
> grammar or many words, but to adapt the pronounciation (phonology) at
> an
> early age.
>
Well, it's quite a unique behaviour in the world! I know that in France,
pronouncing borrowed words like they are in the original language (especially
German or English words) gets you considered as a geek, or a posh who wants to
show how much more intelligent he is than his interlocutor. Both are quite
despised :)) . In Spain, not only borrowed words are adapted strongly, but even
their orthography is adapted to the language (which is why they have
fútbol :)) ). At least French keeps the original orthography :)) . And I don't
talk about how English speakers treat foreign words :))) ...

But as usual (and quite annoyingly so :)) ), the Dutch are right: The method I
followed to learn Dutch is based on phonology and vocabulary before grammar.
Result: after one month of study I can handle already simple situations, and
quite a few conversations. And even if I'm not good enough to participate much,
I understand nearly everything! To reach the same level in English with the
French education system, it took me ten years (and five months in the
Netherlands :)) ). And in France I'm considered gifted for languages :)) .

Christophe.

http://rainbow.conlang.free.fr

Take your life as a movie: do not let anybody else play the leading role.

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