Western European Languages

Member since 22 February 2007

ocbeachbabyxx7Member22 February 2007 00:37:18

I live in the US but am taking an International Business class and am really interested in Western Europe--specifically the languages among the major neighboring countries. I want to know more about how countries (mainly Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and England) communicate among one another when it comes to business since each country has their own official language. Any further information/details that anyone could give to me would be greatly appreciated!

OCBeachBabyxx7

Julien Founder

Member since 11 March 2005

17 years of happy life abroad

JulienFounder22 February 2007 12:30:49

52977

Consider yourself as lucky ... the official "international business language" in Europe is English

Of course every interlocutor appreciates a few words in his own language.

JChevais Member

Member since 30 March 2007

JChevaisMember30 March 2007 14:16:36

You might get some ideas from the OECD website. I think it's (OECD is an economic committee, or something...)

betalucky New member

Member since 21 April 2007

betaluckyNew member21 April 2007 16:43:55

Not everyone speaks English, but you can always find SOMEONE who does, it's easily the "universal second language".

German and Russian are also common in Eastern Europe, but younger business people speak English.

desf2 Member

Member since 17 May 2007

desf2Member17 May 2007 03:01:36

in europe people have to learn 2 foreign languages at school...

and there is a lot of people who are able to speak 2 or more languages...

for exemple french and germans usually speak together french or german!

specially when it has to be serious, it is polite to speak the language of your partner...

Kro Member

Member since 21 March 2007

Habra nadie que te quiera mas que yo...

KroMember17 May 2007 20:20:43

desf2 wrote:
in europe people have to learn 2 foreign languages at school...

and there is a lot of people who are able to speak 2 or more languages...

for exemple french and germans usually speak together french or german!

specially when it has to be serious, it is polite to speak the language of your partner...

True!! You have to learn two languages at school, but was in high school in France and trust me, after some many years, I could hardly speak with native.
It's when you open yourself to other countries that you want to learn!

But nowadays, quite a lot of people can speak two languages or none...

But trully, it's better to speak, at least a little bit, the language of your partner! It shows that you care.

Of course, english is the language to know, i personnaly don't even think it should be optionnal.

Kro