Comments

Comment 1 | From: Tom | Date: 16 October 2010, 21:53

I think it is quite shambolic that there are so many Brits living abroad without any consideration or appreciation of their host nation's culture; Brits in Spain come to mind in particular. It is a blight on our country that so few Brits speak a second language.

Comment 2 | From: Melanie | Date: 16 October 2010, 22:55

It's only reasonable that people who go and live in another country should learn the language. Without knowing the language an immigrant is condemned to remain a second-class citizen. Brits who live abroad and refuse to learn the country's language are arrogant. Obviously the same does not apply to tourists and short-term visitors.

Comment 3 | From: Will | Date: 17 October 2010, 02:41

It's a good idea to encourage integration. But unless you think that Westerners intrinsically have *more of a right* to decent standards of living and governance, it must be right to allow 'outsiders' in to enjoy those benefits if that is their only option... particularly if the Western system is contributing to why they are denied those things at home. Frankly I am disgusted at how politics in Western European countries is regressing into fascism 2.0

Comment 4 | From: Cody from Canada | Date: 17 October 2010, 07:59

Regarding the quotation of Chancellor Merkel as saying "Anyone who does not immediately speak German... is not welcome", I'm wondering if something was, ironically, lost in translation. The BBC reports the full quotation as "We should not be a country either which gives the impression to the outside world that those who don't speak German immediately or who were not raised speaking German are not welcome here," she said. "That would do great damage to our country." (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11559451) If the BBC version is accurate, the quotation in this article (which I've seen cited elsewhere as well) diametrically misrepresents Merkel's message by omitting the preamble. The BBC provides a video of the speech, accompanied with an English voice-over of the translation above. If you speak German, I'd appreciate it if you could relay what Merkel really said.

Comment 5 | From: John | Date: 17 October 2010, 13:01

Uhm, that's a funny entry, considering that the UK immigration rules state "have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic". So Germans (and anyone else) who want to live in the UK already have to do a language test. But if it's vice versa, it's a problem? Hypocrisy at its best.

Comment 6 | From: ceci | Date: 17 October 2010, 13:49

As a New Yorker, I experience the benefits of a multicultural society every single day. It is an enriching experience. I find Chancellor Merkel's statement chilling and fear it will propagate further intolerance towards immigrants in Europe.

Comment 7 | From: Some German | Date: 17 October 2010, 14:17

Please, please, please, don't take her too serious! Ms Merkel is NOT the chancellor of the German people, she is is just a spokeswoman of the German industry, the capitalists and their lobbyists and spin doctors! Unfortunately, we, the normal people in Germany, have no legal means of getting rid of her as soon as possible. So, again to all of you in the rest of the world: please forgive the German people for having this person a our chancellor! We know she and vice chancellor Westerwelle are a great offence and affront to you all, but don't forget the it was NOT the majority of the German people who voted for these two!

Comment 8 | From: james | Date: 17 October 2010, 14:56

I wonder who translated that. Probably google translate, because this is precisely what she did NOT say.

Comment 9 | From: Don | Date: 17 October 2010, 15:11

If you are living in a foreign country job #1 should be to learn the language! That is just common sense.

Comment 10 | From: marcus | Date: 17 October 2010, 16:20

Non-German speakers are not welcome? This is a filthy lie on your part Nick Lowles. She said people who can't speak German are not welcome. Entirely different. Still holding a grudge over whatever we did to you all too recently? Just out of curiosity, do you speak ANY language besides English?

Comment 11 | From: Gus | Date: 17 October 2010, 23:50

The first thing Britons do when relocating abroad, is to form ghettos where they can avoid talking in the local language. The classical case of that lady that left Britain for Spain, and bitterly complained that the local Doctor didn't speak any English!!!! New colonialism perhaps?

Comment 12 | From: another german | Date: 18 October 2010, 12:54

@cody from canada The BBC translation is spot on. But: We have a large amount of immigrants here who avoid learning german - and are depending on our welfare system, and that´s not the way it works any longer.

Comment 13 | From: Tustastic | Date: 18 October 2010, 19:55

Nick, it seems clear that you need to amend your quote of Angela Merkel.Let her be judged on what she has said, not a poor translation. I do think that it is vital for immigrants to any country to learn the language as a priority (ideally starting well before they move there) in order to make the most of the opportunities available, integrate with the people they have chosen to join and to make a contribution to that society. I'm a Brit, English is my first language and I needed a good command (spoken and written) of another language in order to practise my then profession in a non-English-speaking country elsewhere in Europe. Immigrants potentially have much to offer the countries they migrate to, but they will contribute much, much less if they don't achieve a good command of the language of the country. I'm only expecting them to make the same effort that I did - and I was only there for a year, not as an immigrant.

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