Ug_Caveman wrote:Cavesa wrote:And French, or even a few other languages would improve the future of many people just like German. English no longer has the same power.). The governments know that the anglophone countries don't want us anymore and are too far away for most people. So, enforcing English and limiting German means limiting mobility.
Would you say that's because of Brexit or because of market over-saturation of English-speaking skills?
(Just to be clear, this is not an attempt at starting any political debates. I'm purely curious as to the socio-economic value of German compared to English at present.)
1.yes, the saturation of the market has a lot to do with it. The English level that sufficed for a career twenty years ago is now supposed to be the norm. If you want to excel at English (even the verb "excel" gives a hint here), you need much more than back then. And if you want to profit from "language skills", you need two languages. They are demanded more and more often. The usual International English is expected just like reading and writing, so you'd better offer English+something else.
2.Yes, immigrants are less welcome. Brexit has only sped some things up and made them more obvious. The anglophone countries have been much more selective and less immigrant friendly long before that. At some point in history, they could afford it, because they were without any doubt offering much more than the others. But nowadays, the anglophone countries are not special, they are in some ways offering worse standards, than some others. So, why jump through many more hoops to get a smaller carrot? Better learn German, Swedish, French, Dutch. (But no, people were taught at school that "English is all that matters" and will complain at home instead.)
3.Geography. Commuting over the borders just with English is impossible, if you are not near to any anglophone country. But commuting is absolutely essential in many regions, for both sides of the border. But you need to speak your neighbour's language for that. But instead of helping people learn the neighbour's language, some countries prefer to let them stay poor and unemployed with English.
rdearman wrote:chove wrote:The common attitude in the UK seems to be that immigrants should speak English at all times.
I think you'll find that is a common attitude in most countries:
- Nicolas Sarkozy has demanded that all immigrants must "live like the French"
- All immigrants should speak German at home, say Merkel's allies. Chancellor's sister party in Bavaria, the CSU
- Would-be Australian citizens must learn English, says Coalition MP
- Brazil - The Portuguese language is required from every applicant for either permanent residency or citizenship.
Well, demanding strong knowledge of the local language is logical. It should be enforced (learn or leave). But yes, I am all for bilingualism. Of course. But two of these quotes are just pointing out how stupid is giving a permanent residency to someone unable to communicate in the official language.
But it brings us back to the topic: Those Bavarian politicians would surely not force an american immigrant to speak only German at home. They are talking only about the poorer nationalities.