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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">===========================================<br>
L O W L A N D S - L - 19 November 2008 - Volume 02<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br>
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From: <span class="ep8xu"><span><span style="color: rgb(121, 6, 25);">Diederik Masure</span></span></span><span class="hccdpe"> </span><span class="ldacoc"><<a href="mailto:didimasure@hotmail.com">didimasure@hotmail.com</a>></span><br>
Subject: <span class="hccdpe">LL-L "Language use" 2008.11.19 (01) [E]</span><br>
<br>
Hey Heather, I recognise the story you just posted here, as I've had similar
things happen to me nearly every 2 weeks here. In my case it's even more
ridiculous! <br>
As some on here might know I'm a Fleming living in Amsterdam
in the Netherlands, have
been living here for 2 + 0.5 years now (one year inbetween, in Norway). <br>
So I do speak the same native language as the 'locals'. Of course I have a
strong Antwerp accent (stronger than average because of cultivating in the past
years), but ever since primary school I have been taught standard Dutch +
having lived so long from home has made me speak mainly standard Dutch with
regional accent when I'm in the Dam, using hardly any regional words or constructions
and with a much adapted pronunciation. <br>
However still, especially when I go to bars or restaurants, I am being replied
to in English. I know that Amsterdam
is a very touristy place, so Dutch people are used to speaking a lot of English
to foreigners here. But I ask something in Dutch, and I am more or less a
native speaker! This happens at least once or twice every 2 weeks. <br>
Even when telling them in Dutch that I speak Dutch they continue in English as
if they didn't understand me. When I say in English that I am a native Dutch
speaker they still won't get the point. So I just switch to English along with
them to save hour long attempts o trying to tell them that they can actually
understand me altho they don't realise. <br>
More embarassing yet is that in many of these cases from their first (English)
answer I can deduct that they actually understood what I said/ordered. I ask
something, and they answer my question in English! Isn't that awkward... so
they can't pretend not understanding me... strange, two natives of the same
language having to conversate in English because one refuses to acknowledge
that he actually understood that other person. Like a person from Marseille
speaking standard French would get served in English in Paris, just because the barkeeper hears he's
not from the capital! In France
the negative feelings towards English still prevent situations like this
occurring though, I guess. <br>
<br>
Greetings, Diederik<br>
<br>
--------------------<br>
<br>
From: R. F. Hahn <<a href="mailto:sassisch@yahoo.com" target="_blank">sassisch@yahoo.com</a>><br>
Subject: Language use<br>
<br>
Wow, Diederik! That seems really extreme, and pretty rude actually. Although
they may think of themselves as cool for acting like that it shows lack of
respect when it continues after you challenge it.<br>
<br>
Have you ever considered asking them straight out, "Why do you insist on
speaking English to me when you and I are both Dutch speakers?" and see what
they have to say for themselves then?<br>
<br>
Or, you could just turn away from them and ignore them if they ignore your
objection. Of course this would make you seem rude, but then again, <i>they</i>
are rude.<br>
<br>
Or, Diederik, very heavy-accented and Scots-infused Scottish English and see
them react to that.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Reinhard/Ron</span>
</p>