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How many natural languages do you know? | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 81 comments | Search Discussion
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  • (Score: 2) by darnkitten on Tuesday May 16 2017, @06:15PM

    by darnkitten (1912) on Tuesday May 16 2017, @06:15PM (#510647)

    Then you're not fooling any native speakers...

    I have a friend, an older lady from El Salvador, who was tricked into enlisting in the US Army back in the 50s, despite not being able to speak English. She had been taught to speak one phrase by rote: "I am sorry, but I do not speak a word of English," but, because her accent was perfect, no one believed she wasn't fluent.

    Eventually, she picked up enough English to be able to resolve her situation, and to meet her future husband, to whom she is still married. She also eventually, due to her excellent ear and natural talent, became a respected interpreter, both at the state and federal level. She recently retired, and, in her late 80s, began studying French through immersion.

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