Spik inglisz?

23.02.06, 16:32
I remember coming here and taking part in a heated discussion about how bad is
command of English in Poland.

Yesterday I read in Rzeczpospolita that Poland with 29% English speaking
population (conversation level) is among the EU countries with lowest such
rate. Worse are Spain (27), Czech (24, rather surprising for me) and Hungary (23).

But from Good Old EU Italy scores equally with Poland and France is not much
better with 36%.

Sweden and Denmark top the rank with 89 and 86 percent respectively, and
Slovenia (57) is better than Germany (56).

Well, this is all flawed. There are no data for UK (don't laugh - I am sure it
will not get 100%) or Ireland (say, in Aran Islands you simply can't
communicate in English) but first of all, no info about Netherlands! And here
I am sure this will be in top 3.

So, can our PM say more then yes, yes, yes? wink

FM

    • ianek70 Re: Spik inglisz? 23.02.06, 16:54
      firemouse napisał:

      > Yesterday I read in Rzeczpospolita that Poland with 29% English speaking
      > population (conversation level) is among the EU countries with lowest such
      > rate. Worse are Spain (27), Czech (24, rather surprising for me) and Hungary
      (2
      > 3).
      >
      > But from Good Old EU Italy scores equally with Poland and France is not much
      > better with 36%.
      >
      > Sweden and Denmark top the rank with 89 and 86 percent respectively, and
      > Slovenia (57) is better than Germany (56).
      >
      > Well, this is all flawed. There are no data for UK (don't laugh - I am sure it
      > will not get 100%) or Ireland (say, in Aran Islands you simply can't
      > communicate in English) but first of all, no info about Netherlands! And here
      > I am sure this will be in top 3.

      It is all very misleading.
      36% of French folk can have a conversation in English, probably about a third
      of Brits can have a simple coversation in French, but since we learn each
      other's languages in school, I reckon most of France has a passive knowledge of
      English, and most British people have a fair passive knowledge of French. If
      you ask directions in French in London or Glasgow, people will understand, even
      if they reply in English. If you say, "Excuse me, where's the station?" most
      French folk will reply "La-bas, c'est pas loin," and anyone who went to school
      in the UK would say "Mercy buckets" and not get lost.
      I was in Catalonia last summer, and it's true that most people don't speak good
      English (some of them of course speak excellent English, the majority don't
      need to, and why should they?), but it seems most of them can have a
      conversation in French (some perfectly, some not), so that's how we had to
      communicate.

      I think the question "Can you generally communicate with foreigners?" would be
      more sensible, if rather vague.
      • firemouse Re: Spik inglisz? 24.02.06, 10:55
        Right, I think that the survey concentrated on English, which is in some cases
        not really the most important language.

        I'd be glad to know the methodology of it, since as we all know there are lies,
        damned lies and statistics, and you can prove anything with statistical means.

        FM
    • bartis_ervin Re: Spik inglisz? 23.02.06, 16:56

      Oopss, the Hungarian figure is embarassingly low...
      I did a market research for a Polish company. For different reasons I contacted
      70 Hungarian companies and only 3 had no problem with communicating in English,
      while 2-3 more could handle. It is true that quite many companies rather speak
      German. But definitely Hungarians are not known for their language skills.

      Italy really surprised me! Even my Italian friends are ashamed because of the
      level of English which is spoken by Italian. Well, looks like they are wrong..

      "Slovenia (57%)" This is why I did not learn Slovene. All around prefered to
      speak in English just not to hear my "gorgeous" accent in Slovene. I understand
      them...

      Ervin

      Thebartiski.blogspot.com
      • nasza_maggie Re: Spik inglisz? 23.02.06, 19:18
        you know, to me, stats and percentages seem a load of cobblerssmile

        It was nice to hear from some of my English friends recently, that they are
        pleased to hear, that Poles use proper English (especially students).

        They are relieved that the newcomers use English in the way, that most Brits
        have forgotten how to (for reference of this check out the character of Vicky
        Pollard in 'Little Britain' - the yuff of todaysmile).
        • usenetposts Re: Spik inglisz? 24.02.06, 17:19
          nasza_maggie napisała:

          > you know, to me, stats and percentages seem a load of cobblerssmile
          >
          > It was nice to hear from some of my English friends recently, that they are
          > pleased to hear, that Poles use proper English (especially students).
          >
          > They are relieved that the newcomers use English in the way, that most Brits
          > have forgotten how to (for reference of this check out the character of Vicky
          > Pollard in 'Little Britain' - the yuff of todaysmile).
          >

          "Yes but no, but yes, but no, but yes, but...."

          Little Britain is extremely funny modern comedy, but with Beavis and Butthead
          and Sacha Baron Cohen some people take it at face value and think it is
          celebrating stupidity instead of spoofing it.

          Which is I dare say the litmus paper for a truly well executed spoof in the
          first place!
      • firemouse Re: Spik inglisz? 24.02.06, 11:00
        Well, who cares. I have no problem in communication with hugarians I know
        whatsoever.

        üdvözlet

        FM
        • bartis_ervin Re: Spik inglisz? 24.02.06, 17:02

          Udv neked is! Kellemes hetveget,
          Ervin

          Thebartiski.blogspot.com
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