[Cherie]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

Regardless of the time scale, they have to take language classes if they don't speak Spanish and want to claim the equivalent of job seekers allowance.

I have never heard of this

[Jordan.]

No I think it's really rude, especially if they can't even be bother to learn the basic language. Same goes for Brits who live abroad.

[Firewire]

I think so

If I moved abroad I wouldn't be able to speak the language

[Jessica.]

I live in Portugal and I'm not fluent in Portuguese yet, I have put endless hours into learning, but I haven't really got a gift for languages, so I'm improving constantly but it's slow.

Health care isn't free for me here and I just filled out some paperwork last week but most of the paperwork is in both English and Portuguese, I have never been provided an interpreter or anything like that, even at the hospital.

Maybe the NHS could use Google translate or something like that for less severe things?

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Joannta Claus

I live in Portugal and I'm not fluent in Portuguese yet, I have put endless hours into learning, but I haven't really got a gift for languages, so I'm improving constantly but it's slow.

Health care isn't free for me here and I just filled out some paperwork last week but most of the paperwork is in both English and Portuguese, I have never been provided an interpreter or anything like that, even at the hospital.

Maybe the NHS could use Google translate or something like that for less severe things?

I've attended the equivalent of a and e in Spain and the doctor translated on his phone into English as my Spanish didn't stretch to the medical diagnosis, it worked fine

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by Joannta Claus

I live in Portugal and I'm not fluent in Portuguese yet, I have put endless hours into learning, but I haven't really got a gift for languages, so I'm improving constantly but it's slow.

Health care isn't free for me here and I just filled out some paperwork last week but most of the paperwork is in both English and Portuguese, I have never been provided an interpreter or anything like that, even at the hospital.

Maybe the NHS could use Google translate or something like that for less severe things?

Hi Jess,

You’re absolutely right. Some people learn a language easily whilst others find it very difficult. I tried to learn Portuguese btw and just gave up because I found it too difficult. I'm fluent in two languages and speak quite a bit of a third language but Portuguese proved to be really tough.

One of the things that is really noticeable in France is, so few English residents speak enough French to do anything more than buy a baguette in the local patisserie.

[Jessica.]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

Hi Jess,

You’re absolutely right. Some people learn a language easily whilst others find it very difficult. I tried to learn Portuguese btw and just gave up because I found it too difficult. I'm fluent in two languages and speak quite a bit of a third language but Portuguese proved to be really tough.

One of the things that is really noticeable in France is, so few English residents speak enough French to do anything more than buy a baguette in the local patisserie.

Yeah, it's just harder for some people, I think. I do believe everyone should make an effort to learn the language of whatever country they are in but it's tough to just expect people to be conversational when it's not that simple.

I love Portuguese and I learn new words and grammar rules every day and to be denied health care even though I make this effort would really crush me.

Speaking of bakeries, the man who works at my local one always hears the wrong number of pieces if bread that I want and he gets extremely focused when I walk in so he doesn't give me fourteen instead of four again.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Joannta Claus

Yeah, it's just harder for some people, I think. I do believe everyone should make an effort to learn the language of whatever country they are in but it's tough to just expect people to be conversational when it's not that simple.

I love Portuguese and I learn new words and grammar rules every day and to be denied health care even though I make this effort would really crush me.

Speaking of bakeries, the man who works at my local one always hears the wrong number of pieces if bread that I want and he gets extremely focused when I walk in so he doesn't give me fourteen instead of four again.

You are not denied health care you just have to pay for it just like you would if you lived in Ireland, 50 Euros for a visit to the GP in Ireland isn't it, more now probably? And if you need an interpreter either take a friend fluent in the language or pay for one, it seems fair to me

[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

Hi Jess,

You’re absolutely right. Some people learn a language easily whilst others find it very difficult. I tried to learn Portuguese btw and just gave up because I found it too difficult. I'm fluent in two languages and speak quite a bit of a third language but Portuguese proved to be really tough.

One of the things that is really noticeable in France is, so few English residents speak enough French to do anything more than buy a baguette in the local patisserie.

Don't really see the connection if they pay their way. If so the language issue is not such a problem for the French if the Brits aren't' expecting the French to pay for an interpreter. It comes down to money at the end of the day because there isn't enough of it.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

Hi Jess,

You’re absolutely right. Some people learn a language easily whilst others find it very difficult. I tried to learn Portuguese btw and just gave up because I found it too difficult. I'm fluent in two languages and speak quite a bit of a third language but Portuguese proved to be really tough.

One of the things that is really noticeable in France is, so few English residents speak enough French to do anything more than buy a baguette in the local patisserie.

I think the difference with countries like France and Spain is that they don't bend over backwards for people who want to emigrate there, they can come but they don't get extra special treatment, that's why UK, UK is so appealing for some

[arista]

Originally Posted by Joannta Claus

I live in Portugal and I'm not fluent in Portuguese yet, I have put endless hours into learning, but I haven't really got a gift for languages, so I'm improving constantly but it's slow.

Health care isn't free for me here and I just filled out some paperwork last week but most of the paperwork is in both English and Portuguese, I have never been provided an interpreter or anything like that, even at the hospital.

Maybe the NHS could use Google translate or something like that for less severe things?

Shame On YOU

[Jessica.]

Originally Posted by arista

Shame On YOU

Why should I be ashamed? I don't claim benefits or burden anyone, I try very hard to learn, it's not really my fault that I'm not picking it up quickly.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Joannta Claus

Why should I be ashamed? I don't claim benefits or burden anyone, I try very hard to learn, it's not really my fault that I'm not picking it up quickly.

You are slacking

[Jessica.]

Originally Posted by arista

You are slacking

I am not, I even studied today, on a Sunday!

[y.winter]

In my eyes, it's a basic thing to learn the local language. Especially English...

[Cal.]

I'd learn the language if I moved abroad so people should here.

[iloveaisleyne]

Originally Posted by A Charlie Doherty Christmas

I'd learn the language if I moved abroad so people should here.

^

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by A Charlie Doherty Christmas

I'd learn the language if I moved abroad so people should here.

Lets hope you find it really easy then.

[Tom4784]

I wouldn't move to a foreign country if I couldn't speak the language but I wouldn't demand it of others.

[Kizzy]

Nice to see the anti globalisation weed growing and bearing fruit....

If language is a barrier to an adequate diagnosis and a possible medical negligence claim then it makes perfect sense to remove it.

How was the NHS functioning and in many areas self funding until recently? It's not the cost of interpreters, it's the fact the profit generating areas have been sold off.

[waterhog]

Originally Posted by North Star Monkey

Millions of pounds are spent every year in Britain on translation services and interpreters.
The NHS alone spends Ł64,000 per day on interpreters.
When people go to live abroad in Spain for example all that paperwork is in Spanish.
So why is Britain spending all this money on this?
This money would be much better spent on teaching foreigners how to speak and read English helping them in the process.
All these translation services are doing is just leaving non English speaking foreigners stuck without being able to read,speak or understand the people in the country they live in with no motivation or need to learn English.
This is a counterproductive waste of tax payers money and will not end while we as a country pander to it.
So i say we'd be far better off spending the money on education which will help everybody.

I am not sure if I understand the question ? where is my poetry translator

[arista]

Is it acceptable for people to live in Britain but not speak English?


No . not anymore NM

Law and Order

[Withano]

Should British soldiers learn arabic?

[Jessica.]

Originally Posted by Withano

Should British soldiers learn arabic?

[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by Withano

Should British soldiers learn arabic?

If it means keeping them in the classroom and keeping them away from the front line risking their lives for those that don't appreciate the risk they take - then yes.