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From: hinsenk@cyclone.ERE.UMontreal.CA (Hinsen Konrad)
Subject: Re: Languages in the EC
In-Reply-To: schlicka@mibm.ruf.uni-freiburg.de's message of 8 Feb 1995 21:12:57 GMT
Message-ID: <HINSENK.95Feb9181946@cyclone.ERE.UMontreal.CA>
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References: <3gtddp$crg@bambi.zdv.Uni-Mainz.DE> <791945488snz@storcomp.demon.co.uk>
	<HINSENK.95Feb6121511@cyclone.ERE.UMontreal.CA>
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Date: Thu, 9 Feb 1995 23:19:46 GMT
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In article <3hbc4p$sla@sun2.ruf.uni-freiburg.de> schlicka@mibm.ruf.uni-freiburg.de (Stephan Schlickau) writes:

   That's why I'm quite in favour of the idea of an extended passive 
   knowledge of a number of languages: In this case people would communicate 
   using different languages (ideally their mother tongue), but nevertheless 
   they would understand each other. So their would be hardly any 

I have tried this method of communication several times, mostly with
Dutch people. It works quite well for "standard" subjects, but there
are situations when it breaks down. For example, try to explain a
new concept to someone. He might not be able to respond, because he
doesn't know the right word in his own language!

Also, this approach would require everyone to learn a large number
of languages passively. This would certainly have many benefits,
but I doubt whether it is practical.

--
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