[maxgeorge]

Be aware of local language sensibilities.

Not a good way to start things off by saying “Bon Jour” in Antwerp, or “Muchas gracias” in Rio.

Brasilians in particular are proud of their portugues, associating Spanish with Paraguayan peons or Argentine stuffed shirts.

[MartynSinclair]

@Nigel – if there is not an app now for what you describe, there will probably be one by the end of next week 🙂

[icenspice]

Please explain ‘stuffed shirts’ maxgeorge. I have honestly never heard that expression before!

[AnthonyDunn]

@ icenspice – 24/07/2015 10:49 BST

A “stuffed shirt” is, as far as I am aware, a pompous ass/self-important/full of themselves. Hope this helps!

[maxgeorge]

Sorry, icenspice, it must be an Americanism. I live half the year in California, and after a while you mix your colloquialisms without realising it.

A “stuffed shirt” is a pompous buffoon, all hot air and pretension.

Think a Bognor Regis alderman, or Senator John McCain.

Argentinos, and especially Portenos, used to swan around Rio and the resorts of RG do Sul and Parana like royalty in the days before Argentina’s genteel decline, when Brasil was still sleepy and impoverished.

Not unlike the English in Italy in the 30’s.

[icenspice]

And the Portuguese and/or Spanish translation?

[maxgeorge]

“portenos”, you mean?

People of Buenos Aires.

Sorry, I’m using a UK keyboard – no tildes or cedillas.

[icenspice]

Lol max

My iPad keyboard is stuck in French and I have no idée Howard to change it.

[Globalti]

As a modern languages graduate who has lived in Spain and France for a few years my advice would be to go to a bar and get drunk. Alcohol removes your inhibitions and fear of making mistakes is the language student’s greatest hindrance.

[K1ngston]

So here in Singapore I am also going out with a local and I am speaking better English for it 🙂

Martyn, what words in German do you need to know, didnt you learn them first???

Globalti, I so agree with you, drink copious amounts of alcohol and they wont understand a word you say, and you wont give a toss!

[AnthonyDunn]

@ Globalti – 10/09/2015 09:34 BST

You are clearly onto something there – the Brits being notoriously reticent/up their fundaments when it comes to “risking” making a mistake in another language. Beyond getting “lubricated” to remove the inhibitions, my other longer-term advice is try the local food as well and then dabble further afield with the locals (of whichever gender is your proclivity). There is – or so I am told – nothing like a bit of pillow talk to give your language learning a kick start,

Sorry, this is starting to read like an agony aunt column.

[AnthonyDunn]

@ Globalti – 10/09/2015 09:34 BST

You are clearly onto something there – the Brits being notoriously reticent/up their fundaments when it comes to “risking” making a mistake in another language. Beyond getting “lubricated” to remove the inhibitions, my other longer-term advice is try the local food as well and then dabble further afield with the locals (of whichever gender is your proclivity). There is – or so I am told – nothing like a bit of pillow talk to give your language learning a kick start.

Sorry, this is starting to read like an agony aunt column.

[Author]

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