How many languages can you speak/read/write fluently?

[bpp]

I speak, read and write Japanese all day, but would not consider myself fluent. My wife agrees, or she wouldn't hit me over the head so often for various gaffes and faux pas.

I seem to have retained just enough high school French to be able to profitably read newspapers, books and instruction manuals, but can't speak it for beans. In fact if I try to, Japanese comes out.

Also had smatterings of German, Russian and Latin in my dilettante school days, but nothing useful has stuck.

Not sure how to assign percentages, but if 100% fluent = native-level proficiency, then I'm only really fluent in one language, English. If it merely denotes some functional level of ability, then maybe two and a half on a good day.

[bbbamI]

Does pig latin count?

[mb]

I was listening to the radio the other day. I don't recall who was being interviewed but it was an education specialist of some type.

The radio host asked what languages would be most valuable to learn for a student today?

The answers were English and "math!"

It's unfortunate that many Americans have limited knowledge of languages, history and culture but even so I agree with the answer.

MB

MB

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby As a lawyer, I often find myself speaking in court while a voice in my head critiques what I have just said and urges me to shut up before I say something stupid.

That must be very unusual among your avocation-- maybe even unique!

[xmanz3]

English
Spanish
Understand portuguese

[Sam]

Impressive group of people we have here.

1 language: 19
2 or more: 21

Will the individual fluent in 4 or more language please stand up? We all need to know who you are, so we can ask for help in future translations.

[Calgary_Girl]

English
Croatian (maybe 60% - can speak it, read it and usually write it )

Until I was about 5 years old, I was fluent in Croatian and hardly knew any English (even though I was born in Canada)....that's what happens when you grow up with parents who just got off the boat :P

[justin]

Voted 2, English and Spanish. Took spanish from 6th grade on and got a bachelor's in it in college. I've lost a little ability over the last 6 years since graduating.

Italian - can understand spoken/written italian pretty well due to spanish knowledge.
French - reading, 50%, speak - 20%, write - 10%
Laotian - speak - 10%, understanding spoken laotian - 15%

[HFWR]

Lazy, illiterate American here...

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR Lazy, illiterate American here...

But you're hippie literate.

[spncity]

French, English and Texan.

Well, pretty rusty on the French. Lived there for a school year a long time ago and then taught French for a few years.

Reminds me of an old joke...

Q. What do you call someone who speaks two languages?

A. Bilingual.

Q. What do you call someone who speaks one language?

A. American.

[Deetso]

voted to fast... should've voted for none...

[xmanz3]

During the last five years, we have seen wide variety of cultural backgrounds in Atlanta. Based on that transformation, early this year I decided to start my own translation/interpretation service. I was able to gather a group of more than 20 invididuals that speak languages such as: spanish, french, german, portuguese, italian, russian, hindi, arabic, creole, korean, japanese, chinese, etc. It is a business no doubt about that, but the part I like the most is the fact that we are helping people to communicate with others.

[Dreamer]

I answered one. I had three years of French in high school, but have not used it since and remember very little.

[johanne]

three ... english, french and german