I do not recall any Chinese, Russian, Urdu, Germanic or French speaking nation that has accomplished the goal of placing a man on the moon.

USA!USA!

Link provided to satisfy non-believers... http://www.universetoday.com/38128/distance-from-earth-to-moon/

Pssst. English is a Germanic language.

And don't forget the importance of the Germans and Nazi rocket technology for the American space program.

Pssst. How much German was spoken by the men on the moon?

Yes, that was my point. USA!USA!

And what was the first sentence ever spoken on the moon? In 'merican language, missing an "a".

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/onesmall.asp

Uh, I believe the first sentence ever spoken on the moon was...."Houston, the Eagle has landed."

I can tell you that there are times as a tourist when speaking the local language just makes it more difficult.

And I can tell you that speaking foreign languages is a far greater advantage than not speaking them, but as I said, only the ones who speak foreign languages know so, not the people who only speak their mother tongue.

LaoPo

Chinese speakers? Mandarin? Cantonese? The others? Unlike English, Spanish or French - "Chinese" speakers are mostly limited to China and a few Chinatowns in North America. For God's sake, Russian is understood in more places around the world than Chinese.

Really....? How many Russian towns are there worlwide versus China towns? There are large Chinese communities all over the world not just America.

You're totally mistaken since Mandarin is spoken by more than 1.5 Billion people versus Russian by some 300 million max including as a second language

LaoPo

USA!USA!

USA!USA! ...where most of it's citizens are descendants from good old Europe..and what's more..most of those descendants are very proud of their ancestors and right they are..

EUROPE! EUROPE!

LaoPo

Pssst. English is a Germanic language.

And don't forget the importance of the Germans and Nazi rocket technology for the American space program.

English = Germanic language = correct

and.....rocket and atomic technology for the Russians as well.

The German (atomic) scientists were well divided by the Americans and Russians; both nations "took" their share of German intellect and "forgot" to bring them to court for their share in WWII and brought them to their own countries ..................for their own benefit....

LaoPo

Pssst. How much German was spoken by the men on the moon?

It were the Germans scientists who boosted the American and Russian space program and without them the Americans wouldn't have been able to land on the moon so quickly (apart from JFK's boost) and BTW..the first dog into space was a Russian dog

LaoPo

USA!USA!

EUROPE! EUROPE!

Outer Space! Outer Space!

There is a large section of Africa which is Francophone, and I have also found it useful speaking to Vietnamese, and Cambodians of a certain age. It used to be the world's diplomatic language, and the speaking of it still imparts a certain aura of civilisation. Not technology, or power politics, but civilisation. (Come on, some French member, back me up!)

May I point out that language, per se, is not particularly useful on the moon.

..although I'm not French I'll back you up.

French is a very beautiful language but I prefer Italian which is a little more "waving and singing" but both languages are no world languages (anymore) although "Bruxelles" and the EU MP's still use French as one of the major languages in Europe but most Europeans don't speak any French but do speak (some) English but there are also some 200 million German speaking people, both native and non-native, much more than French speaking people which stops at a max of around 100/110 milion, worldwide, apart from the French in African countries (former colonies) where it is mostly used as a second language apart from 3 or 4 smaller countries.

However, intellectuals in France, Belgium, Spain (mainly in Catalunya) and Italy like to speak French amongst themselves as if they are of a higher kind....it's a kind of French snobism.

LaoPo

Language is a virus from outer space. (according to WSB)

Who, which, or what is WSB? He's a right twit, isn't he? Anything more earth-generated than language would be difficult to find.

This guy is WSB:

A thinker.

I can think of a lot of better (or worse) names for him than that.

Guess what kind of words i can think of for you.

Watch WSB buying a parrot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNoWkBgXniA

USA!USA!

EUROPE! EUROPE!

Outer Space! Outer Space!

..are you?

LaoPo

Chinese speakers? Mandarin? Cantonese? The others? Unlike English, Spanish or French - "Chinese" speakers are mostly limited to China and a few Chinatowns in North America. For God's sake, Russian is understood in more places around the world than Chinese.

Really....? How many Russian towns are there worlwide versus China towns? There are large Chinese communities all over the world not just America.

You're totally mistaken since Mandarin is spoken by more than 1.5 Billion people versus Russian by some 300 million max including as a second language

LaoPo

Total numbers don't tell how wide spread a language is.

In how many countries can you be understood if you speak Russian (I can think of over 20)? French? English? Spanish? Mandarin? I'm talking about going up to almost anyone on the streets, shops, taxis, etc? - not just in specific neighborhoods like Chinatown.

I can tell you that there are times as a tourist when speaking the local language just makes it more difficult.

And I can tell you that speaking foreign languages is a far greater advantage than not speaking them,...

I certainly agree with you on that.

This guy is WSB:

A thinker.

--------

A JUNKIE.

Pssst. English is a Germanic language.

And don't forget the importance of the Germans and Nazi rocket technology for the American space program.

English = Germanic language = correct

and.....rocket and atomic technology for the Russians as well.

The German (atomic) scientists were well divided by the Americans and Russians; both nations "took" their share of German intellect and "forgot" to bring them to court for their share in WWII and brought them to their own countries ..................for their own benefit....

LaoPo

I knew a physicist in Moscow back in 95-96. We used to kid each other about space achievements. Who was first, who was second, all in good fun. When I told him that it was ironic that we were taking credit for it but if not for the German scientists each side got after the war then we wouldn't have made it when we did. It was the first time he ever heard that the USSR had German rocket scientists and asked me to prove it by naming names. He truly believed that it was all Russian (Soviet) technology. At least in the USA we didn't try to hide the fact. Just watch "The Right Stuff" for example.

This guy is WSB:

A thinker.

--------

A JUNKIE.

Doesn't he post around here?

Pssst. English is a Germanic language.

And don't forget the importance of the Germans and Nazi rocket technology for the American space program.

English = Germanic language = correct

and.....rocket and atomic technology for the Russians as well.

The German (atomic) scientists were well divided by the Americans and Russians; both nations "took" their share of German intellect and "forgot" to bring them to court for their share in WWII and brought them to their own countries ..................for their own benefit....

LaoPo

I knew a physicist in Moscow back in 95-96. We used to kid each other about space achievements. Who was first, who was second, all in good fun. When I told him that it was ironic that we were taking credit for it but if not for the German scientists each side got after the war then we wouldn't have made it when we did. It was the first time he ever heard that the USSR had German rocket scientists and asked me to prove it by naming names. He truly believed that it was all Russian (Soviet) technology. At least in the USA we didn't try to hide the fact. Just watch "The Right Stuff" for example.

koheesti. smarter than a Russian rocket scientist!

This guy is WSB:

A thinker.

--------

A JUNKIE.

Doesn't he post around here?

No, WSB took a break from writing since a couple of years and isn't back yet.

May I point out that language, per se, is not particularly useful on the moon.

It matters not.....when nationalism {or the nicer "patriotism"} is at stake. Even in situations where the atmosphere doesn't for flag-waving.

Chinese speakers? Mandarin? Cantonese? The others? Unlike English, Spanish or French - "Chinese" speakers are mostly limited to China and a few Chinatowns in North America. For God's sake, Russian is understood in more places around the world than Chinese.

Really....? How many Russian towns are there worlwide versus China towns? There are large Chinese communities all over the world not just America.

You're totally mistaken since Mandarin is spoken by more than 1.5 Billion people versus Russian by some 300 million max including as a second language

LaoPo

Touche' LaoPo. As Chinese can be found throughout Chinese communities worldwide, obviously in greater areas than some would like to admit.

I have to agree that French is a beautiful sounding language. Songs in French are particularly soothing. I would also have to agree that it when I hear people speaking in French--outside of French speaking areas, they sound sophisticated.

When I grew up, French was the language of cultured people. It was the mark of a well-educated people. Books were routinely sprinkled with French phrases.

And knowing another language is a good thing. It's better to know something than to not know something. I took Latin in school--talk about a useless language--but I learned a great deal about English by taking Latin.

There is a big difference between Europeans and Americans with regard to languages. Many students study languages, but it's difficult to become fluent in a language if you do not use it and other than Spanish, most languages aren't used enough--with some exceptions in some areas--to achieve fluency.

USA!USA!

USA!USA! ...where most of it's citizens are descendants from good old Europe..and what's more..most of those descendants are very proud of their ancestors and right they are..

EUROPE! EUROPE!

LaoPo

My post and the use of the USA! statements were sarcastic responses to our new found wonderboy, bangkokeddy. Why didn't you quote his post as well?

I have to agree that French is a beautiful sounding language. Songs in French are particularly soothing. I would also have to agree that it when I hear people speaking in French--outside of French speaking areas, they sound sophisticated.

When I grew up, French was the language of cultured people. It was the mark of a well-educated people. Books were routinely sprinkled with French phrases.

And knowing another language is a good thing. It's better to know something than to not know something. I took Latin in school--talk about a useless language--but I learned a great deal about English by taking Latin.

There is a big difference between Europeans and Americans with regard to languages. Many students study languages, but it's difficult to become fluent in a language if you do not use it and other than Spanish, most languages aren't used enough--with some exceptions in some areas--to achieve fluency.

Interesting comment and I mostly agree with the exception of (a part in) the bold sentence but it's obvious that practising a language is necessary to stay fluent once you've learnt a language.

About: most languages aren't used enough; you forgot about the 6 main languages the UN is using: Arabic - Mandarin - English - French - Russian, next to Spanish.

I use three languages on a 24/7 daily basis myself in speaking and writing but I would need at least some 3 months or so to pick up on the languages I seldomly practice but studied and speak.

Next to that I think it's a kind of gift to learn to speak languages and some people will never be able to learn because the "gift" isn't there and very difficult for them to speak another language fluently.

That explains the very heavy accent French speak English with, the same as the Germans speak French and/or English with a heavy accent..quite amusing though......Herr Naam and his Lady know , although both are mastering quite a few languages themselves if I'm correct.

LaoPo

USA!USA!

USA!USA! ...where most of it's citizens are descendants from good old Europe..and what's more..most of those descendants are very proud of their ancestors and right they are..

EUROPE! EUROPE!

LaoPo

My post and the use of the USA! statements were sarcastic responses to our new found wonderboy, bangkokeddy. Why didn't you quote his post as well?

:jap: Mea Culpa if I insulted you Chuckd but...I just picked the last one , claiming: USA!USA! which was you I think.

Nothing personal.

LaoPo

LaoPo: Europeans have a definite advantage because they routinely either use the languages they learn or at least have access to the languages.

I grew up in an area that was multi-lingual, due to a number of unusual factors, including immigration and isolation. The two languages were French and German. There was an entire community of Germans (mostly Germans from Russia) and they had not really assimilated into the dominant culture. The local school got into some trouble for teaching in German. There was also a French speaking group, dominated by Native Americans who were primarily descendents of French trappers and traders.

Both groups ended up with such a bastardized version of the two languages that native speakers of the languages were appalled. Remember, some years back it was nearly impossible to find anything like a movie or newspaper or books written in these languages.

I worked in Europe for a time and had friends who visited. Their first languages were French and German. I found that the easiest way to get a Frenchman to speak English was to have one these people speak to them in French! The same was true of German.

Although they were well educated people and studied the languages (none were linguists nor did they have to use the languages), the bastardized version just stuck.

There is a large section of Africa which is Francophone, and I have also found it useful speaking to Vietnamese, and Cambodians of a certain age. It used to be the world's diplomatic language, and the speaking of it still imparts a certain aura of civilisation. Not technology, or power politics, but civilisation. (Come on, some French member, back me up!)

May I point out that language, per se, is not particularly useful on the moon.

And before French, Latin was the lingua franca of the diplomatic and educational world (around Europe). Arabic in the Middle East and the trade caravan routes to China.

Before that Greek was a Meditteranean common language, Persian to the East.

Before that Egyptian (not the current language - arabic - but the original Egyptian language) was known around the Eastern Mediterranean.

Phoenician was a trading language known from India to Britain.

So many languages have risen, then fallen. Probably will happen many more times before the human race adopts a universal language where every word and expression is known the world over with the same meaning - which English certainly has not yet achieved.

There is a large section of Africa which is Francophone, and I have also found it useful speaking to Vietnamese, and Cambodians of a certain age. It used to be the world's diplomatic language, and the speaking of it still imparts a certain aura of civilisation. Not technology, or power politics, but civilisation. (Come on, some French member, back me up!)

May I point out that language, per se, is not particularly useful on the moon.

i'm not French but my first language is French. in the 90s i found a fistful of oldtimers in Ho-Chi-Minh and Vientiane who had a good command of French (in hotels and top restaurants). but by now they must be all retired.

In Saigon these days I find very few French speakers, apart from the French expats and the Viet-French descendants of the colonial era.

If you want a gathering place of such, with excellent food and wine, go to Cafe Nicoise, off Duong Nguyen Hue in District 1. Good food, good conversation.

1. I use three languages on a 24/7 daily basis myself in speaking and writing but I would need at least some 3 months or so to pick up on the languages I seldomly practice but studied and speak.

Next to that I think it's a kind of gift to learn to speak languages and some people will never be able to learn because the "gift" isn't there and very difficult for them to speak another language fluently.

2. That explains the very heavy accent French speak English with, the same as the Germans speak French and/or English with a heavy accent..quite amusing though......

3. Herr Naam and his Lady know , although both are mastering quite a few languages themselves if I'm correct.

LaoPo

1. interesting is the fact that one loses the capability to speak fluently even if the language is used by writing. not a single day passes that i don't participate in a spanish forum exchanging views (mostly about investments). but when i attend once a year a meeting where South Americans dominate i have problems to formulate correct sentences because i don't have the time to think it over as opposed to typing.

2. in our home six languages are used on a daily basis, three of which i don't understand except for a dozen words. Mrs Naam fares better and can converse in four of these six languages. once in a while these babylonic situation generates some confusion. the only ones who are never confused are our dogs. they seem to understand all languages used.

3. after more than three decades Mrs Naam has finally stopped correcting my pronunciation after i got angry and shouting at her "vhy ze eff shoot i try hart to shpeak british Enklish? yew know bloody vell zat i kann iff i vant to! ziss iss my home vhere i shpeak as i pleess!"

USA!USA!

USA!USA! ...where most of it's citizens are descendants from good old Europe..and what's more..most of those descendants are very proud of their ancestors and right they are..

EUROPE! EUROPE!

LaoPo

Erm .. from what I hear from my American colleagues, most of the people in the US now are illegal Hispanics from Central America.

The rest travelled over in rather uncomfortable conditions from West Africa.

Those of European descent are being swamped by these peoples, only fighting back by importing Russian mafiya members.

Interesting comment and I mostly agree with the exception of (a part in) the bold sentence but it's obvious that practising a language is necessary to stay fluent once you've learnt a language.

.......

That explains the very heavy accent French speak English with, the same as the Germans speak French and/or English with a heavy accent..quite amusing though......Herr Naam and his Lady know , although both are mastering quite a few languages themselves if I'm correct.

LaoPo

Not all Germans - I deal with a dozen or more Germans on a daily basis and most have no discernable accent. The one who does have an accent has a South African accent, as he lived there for a time.

I have worked with Siemens, Bilfinger + Berger, Holtzmann, Fichtner, Hightex and other German companies worldwide and I would say that at least half the Germans I have worked with had little or no accent.

Also have worked with Campenon Bernard, Dumez, Elf, Sogea, other French companies and here all the French and Belgians had strong accents. The Germans can much more easily adapt to English than the French, probably because of the closeness of the roots of the two languages (more Anglo-Saxon than Norman French survives).

East Anglia overcomes all pressures.

1. I use three languages on a 24/7 daily basis myself in speaking and writing but I would need at least some 3 months or so to pick up on the languages I seldomly practice but studied and speak.

Next to that I think it's a kind of gift to learn to speak languages and some people will never be able to learn because the "gift" isn't there and very difficult for them to speak another language fluently.

2. That explains the very heavy accent French speak English with, the same as the Germans speak French and/or English with a heavy accent..quite amusing though......

3. Herr Naam and his Lady know , although both are mastering quite a few languages themselves if I'm correct.

LaoPo

1. interesting is the fact that one loses the capability to speak fluently even if the language is used by writing. not a single day passes that i don't participate in a spanish forum exchanging views (mostly about investments). but when i attend once a year a meeting where South Americans dominate i have problems to formulate correct sentences because i don't have the time to think it over as opposed to typing.

2. in our home six languages are used on a daily basis, three of which i don't understand except for a dozen words. Mrs Naam fares better and can converse in four of these six languages. once in a while these babylonic situation generates some confusion. the only ones who are never confused are our dogs. they seem to understand all languages used.

3. after more than three decades Mrs Naam has finally stopped correcting my pronunciation after i got angry and shouting at her "vhy ze eff shoot i try hart to shpeak british Enklish? yew know bloody vell zat i kann iff i vant to! ziss iss my home vhere i shpeak as i pleess!"

Well done!

As I said above - no discernable accent. And the words are in the correct order - none of this Germanic nonsense of lining 'em all up and then shooting them with a verb.