this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2025
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There were many lingua francas of which French was supposedly the first global lingua franca. That changed and it became English (from what I understand). We will probably see another language become the lingua franca, so my question is: should it be English? Are there better candidates out there? Why / why not?

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[–] idegenszavak@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 month ago (2 children)

English is a global lingua franca, not just european. And it's not just because of the american and british influence, but because it's a relatively easy language.

Also the translator programs are better and better, this is actually a good and fitting usecase of current LLMs. I think we are not far away from the babel fish.

[–] RandomStickman@fedia.io 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

but because it's a relatively easy language

I literally cried learning English as a kid lol

[–] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Now try to learn Portuguese, or German, or Russian. English has wonky phonetics, but has a relatively simple grammar. As a bonus it's not properly standardized, so whatever you come up with is going to be correct in at least one of the existing dialects.

[–] FundMECFSResearch@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 1 month ago (2 children)

As someone who learnt both German and English as a second language, German was easier.

Consistent spelling and pronounciation make a massive difference.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's horrible how many German nouns have a female or male gender. Like a lamp is female for some reason, but not if it's a spot or a chandelier or whatever. This is so stupid and has to be memorized. Why is a bottle female, but not if it's a flat flask.

... and French is even more silly.

[–] RichieRich@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The wrong use of "der/die/das" in German does not really bother. Everyone will understand the sentence if it's done wrong. Since there is no rule to be derived as to how to use the article correctly, you simply have to learn it with the word itself like in other languages, too. (Why is a car a "female" in French? "La voiture" - I won't ever understand, also in Swedish: "en" or "ett" words eg. "vatten" .) There are some rules in German, like ending on "-er" is often a "male" word, but not consistent... It's only a clue. But sometimes it doesn't matter at all: "der Joghurt", "die Joghurt", "das Joghurt" - all genders are correct, so just try. πŸ˜‚

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's definitely "der Joghurt" tho.

fite me

[–] RichieRich@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago

ahahaha this must be one of those rare cases where Duden is wrong πŸ˜…

[–] bugg@lemm.ee 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I’m learning German now and it’s insanely logical. I’m angry people dissuaded me as a kid from learning German. I truly love the language and Germans are also very kind.

Side note: are there any German communities on Lemmy you know of? I’d like to join. I’m a fan of Staiy and Spacefrogs.

[–] RichieRich@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Try the server: Feddit.org, there are some groups in German.

[–] bugg@lemm.ee 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thank you so much I joined there and it’s my main account now. Everyone is so nice. I hope you have a great week. :)

[–] RichieRich@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

You're welcome.

[–] vesi@lemm.ee -1 points 1 month ago

I HATE the idea that we would have some Kind of built into us translators. Languages are a crucial part of human development and, therefore, they should be learned in school the old way. (Ofc school must also evolve)