South Africa can you speak a foreign language?

Question

Just saw Redhead does really good in the french department.

Answer 1

I go to the German forum, but normally to help translate. I have not been there for a while though. The people are painful.

I truly regret not being able to speak Xhosa or Zulu. We were taught Zulu in primary school, and from one day to the next it was suddenly abolished.

(English and Afrikaans are not foreign to me)

Since you constantly fly all over the place, how many languages have you picked up on the way?

Answer 2

Chinese (Mandarin). My wife is Chinese and I have lots of students who need a foreign teacher who is able to speak Chinese.

Answer 3

I speak Spanish, I have been speaking spanish for 15 years, I can write, speak and read it.

I also can understand Portuguese and Italian, because they are latin.

I have a hebrew dictionary, like to learn that language.

Answer 4

I know a little french (I am studying it now)

Answer 5

I know a lot of people who speak English so badly it sounds like a foreign language...

Must admit I am no one to talk when it comes to speaking Afrikaans - I sound like I am in pain most of the time - I have had Afrikaans people saying to me - "we appreciate the effort, but please rather speak in English - we understand you better"

Answer 6

hahah Barend - I actually got my hubby to help me - I understood most of what he wrote but to say it confidently standing in front of a french person is a whole different story. As said in a previous answer, after a few glasses of wine then I have no problem with my french - sante!!

haha - now that I have two avatars I keep getting confused which one to use.

Answer 7

Hebrew, Thai - Almost the same level as my English and Afrikaans.

Understand most dialects of the Dutch language fully.

German, French, Arabic and Spanish - just past beginner level.

Can read Swedish and understand it, but cannot understand when spoken. I taught myself Swedish from books, maybe thats the reason.

Answer 8

Yes, I (have to) speak German. I (had to) learn French while working at the Koeberg Power Station. And very elementary Xhosa (one year at varsity)

Like Res, I also have problems with the yahoo.de lot.  They really like to imagine they are something, but what ?

Answer 9

No, my German is not very good ..............but i also give it a go in the 'French' department sometimes

Answer 10

Italian,

Dutch,

A little Portuguese and Spanish,

A smattering of French and German

Some Amharic and Arabic.

A few words of Japanese and I can write my name in it.

____

SA Languages.

Afrikaans

Some Xhosa and Zulu (used to be able to hold a basic conversation in Xhosa)

Some Nama

____

Latin

Answer 11

Chinese : Can speak it okay. Can read simple sentences but can't write it. Did German at school until Matric but haven't spoken it for years.

Answer 12

Yes I can speak write and read Italian, took it for more than 2 years  and took German for 5 years at school, can understand and read it still. Can understand a bit of Xhosa.

Answer 13

Not any more since I've been here in the UK,I have forgotten how to speak Zulu.x*x

Answer 14

Xhosa!

Answer 15

A bit of Swahili.