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Study reveals Brits' foreign language gaffes
28 Oct 2010
Though Britons seem just as ready as ever to book flights to Paris and elsewhere on continental Europe, it would appear that their foreign language skills still leave a lot to be desired.
Though noting that British holidaymakers do make the effort to converse in the language of the country they are taking a break in, a report from Owners Direct has revealed that silly mistakes are commonplace in everyday conversations.
Asking owners of holiday accommodation across Europe for the most-common gaffes their British guests make, those in France reported that Britons often tell them how pregnant they are after a meal as they struggle to pronounce the French for 'I am full'.
Likewise, Britons holidaying in Greece can often be heard greeting locals with 'squid!', rather than 'good morning', while staff in hotels in Madrid and elsewhere in Spain have to put up with jumbled-up food orders.
On a more positive note, the study also found that 95 per cent of Britons do attempt to learn a few words of a foreign language before jetting off overseas, with requests for drinks seen to be just as important as simple greetings.
Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!
Though noting that British holidaymakers do make the effort to converse in the language of the country they are taking a break in, a report from Owners Direct has revealed that silly mistakes are commonplace in everyday conversations.
Asking owners of holiday accommodation across Europe for the most-common gaffes their British guests make, those in France reported that Britons often tell them how pregnant they are after a meal as they struggle to pronounce the French for 'I am full'.
Likewise, Britons holidaying in Greece can often be heard greeting locals with 'squid!', rather than 'good morning', while staff in hotels in Madrid and elsewhere in Spain have to put up with jumbled-up food orders.
On a more positive note, the study also found that 95 per cent of Britons do attempt to learn a few words of a foreign language before jetting off overseas, with requests for drinks seen to be just as important as simple greetings.
Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!
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