Changes worth celebrating, that have happened in my lifetime

[PaulB]

A couple of years ago, when we were visiting Cortina d’Ampezzo

I LOVE the Dolomites. I've been there about twenty times and learned enough Italian to feel confident ordering things and a basic chat in Italian when doing the Maratona Dolomiti, widely considered to be the finest and most scenic Gran Fondo on the cycling calendar. And of course Cortina is right on the fringe of the route and a place I would imagine every competitor visits while there.

 

[matticus]

And of course Cortina is right on the fringe of the route and a place I would imagine every competitor visits while there.

Maybe not all - maybe just British car fans.

 

[Oldhippy]

I am teaching my daughter Japanese and she is also interested in learning Korean as well.

 

[Tripster]

Ah, I see. I guess my problem is that I don't think it matters, each has advantages:

French is good, as they are our our nearest neighbours and the roots are similar
German teaches us about our own language as English is essentially a dialect of German. Also, as an English and German speaker I can understand a lot of Dutch.
Welsh is beautiful and complex and fascinating.

I could go on, but I don't think it matters where you start, as long as you are taught to speak it well: it opens a new world of literature and cultural understanding, new opportunities and It is excellent for neural development, and once the brain adapts to learning a new language it is easier to learn another (despite this I still haven't learned to speak Japanese)

I’m Yorkshire. I struggle with English. Bugger that learning another when I can’t speak this one

 

[Andy in Germany]

I’m Yorkshire. I struggle with English. Bugger that learning another when I can’t speak this one

I lived in a region called Swabia intil last year which has a similar reputation to Yorkshire, and has an equally "different" dialect, so I see the point...

 

[Tripster]

I lived in a region called Swabia intil last year which has a similar reputation to Yorkshire, and has an equally "different" dialect, so I see the point...

It’s not uncommon for other nationalities to ask where I am from and be startled when I say Britain....The Germans, French, Italian all struggle but mostly the Americans. We agree I repeat at least twice but never 3 times unless I really like them. Nah, nowt, aye up are all favourites

 

[Andy in Germany]

It’s not uncommon for other nationalities to ask where I am from and be startled when I say Britain....The Germans, French, Italian all struggle but mostly the Americans. We agree I repeat at least twice but never 3 times unless I really like them. Nah, nowt, aye up are all favourites

I forgot to add: My mum is from Yorkshire, so I can generally understand what is being said.

 

[Oldhippy]

I remember having got a grip on Japanese and then went to Osaka and I was screwed. Totally different words for so many things it was like I'd learnt nothing.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I remember having got a grip on Japanese and then went to Osaka and I was screwed. Totally different words for so many things it was like I'd learnt nothing.

I just told my wife about this: I got to "went to Osaka" and she burst out laughing...

She comes from Shima-Hanto, by the way.

 

[Tripster]

I forgot to add: My mum is from Yorkshire, so I can generally understand what is being said.

How can you forget ya mum is from Gods own county ? You are alf decent if alf Yorkie
Who needs Europe when we have Yorkshire

 

[Oldhippy]

I lived in Tokyo, China and Mishima.

 

[Tripster]

I just told my wife about this: I got to "went to Osaka" and she burst out laughing...

She comes from Shima-Hanto, by the way.

I think I worked at a Power Station in Osaka. If I am thinking of right place it was about 2 hours bus journey from airport.

 

[Oldhippy]

Chiba not China, went to China food was horrid.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Duran Duran broke up.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I am teaching my daughter Japanese and she is also interested in learning Korean as well.

She must be proper clever then. I got two certificates for perfect attendance from night school and I can't even read them. I can make out my name.