At 08:19 01-12-2004 +1000, Gaz wrote:
>This sort of thing is symptomatic of a wider malaise in all ISO/Brussels
>activities and thinking, IMHO. Belgium must be too close and inherited
>the worst aspects of Germany - or perhaps its that they aspire to be
>Hercule Piorot (a belgian detective character by an English novelist).
>
>You know, the only time I was insulted in Europe for attempting to speak
>French was in Belgium. Of course, I was insulted in perfect English - and
>being Australian I could recognise that ;). I think you can see where this
>craziness is going: the Belgians simply want to 'out-English the English'
>in formality.
>
>Off topic ... you bet ... relevant, you be the judge.
The Belgians have language problems of their own.
Because there are three national languages (fr, nl, de), they often speak
English
to their compatriots, just to avoid learning the other's language.
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