German dialect in Texas is one of a kind, and dying out

So there should be no problem in learning one or two different languages besides the local one.

What about practical problems?
Lots of Germans living out west speak English and Irish, but they still cannot understand someone from west Cork or Donegal in either language

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

What about practical problems?
Lots of Germans living out west speak English and Irish, but they still cannot understand someone from west Cork or Donegal in either language

Ok, what are you actually going after? Don't teach your kids several languages? Or am I missing something? I know some people who grew up bilingual and I don't see where the problem in that is.

Ok, what are you actually going after?

Learning the official local language/s doesn't mean you can speak with locals or understand them.
Take an indian doctor with perfect oxford English, stick him in Govan and he might as well have learnt Swahili for all the good it will do him with verbal communication.

[Schroeder]

Ah, ok, now I get it. But that doesn't change the fact that additional languages are generally a bonus.

But that doesn't change the fact that additional languages are generally a bonus.

I agree, there is a lot to be said for learning French and Spanish if you are moving to N. America.

[Dan D]

Very interesting video about the Texas German dialect. Thx for posting.

Must be cool to travel around in Texas and to speak German with some of the old folks.

[Stealhead]

What really is an American?

Another interesting fact to take into consideration is that the United States has no federal law mandating a specific language be used.Obviously the de facto language is
English which is why most people who live in the US long term adapt and learn to speak fairly fluent English.This process doe snot happen over night though and illegal immigrants
whose employers use other native language speakers as foremen and supervisors so they have no requirement to understand English in order to gain employment.


Personally I do not really care where a person comes from so long as they learn to speak enough English to have a basic conversation so that they can interact with anyone like in an emergency.What happens if some Chinese man comes up to you and he needs your help but he cant speak any English of course you would most likely understand simply from body language and tone of voice if he was under duress and still be able to help him.Still it would be easier if the guy spoke at least basic English.