Of Western Europe's five biggest nations, who are generally the best linguists?

[The Blade]

Germans are the best in this regard and French the worst based on personal observations.

[Ford]

From experience, I would say French. Don't know much about the British, however, which is the only place on this list I have not visited.

[Ouistreham]

Believe it or not, and stereotypes notwithstanding, I'd actually say it is the French.
Although a higher percentage of Germans speak fluent English than do the French, their knowledge of other foreign languages is actually lower.

Yep. I have noticed that young French backpackers always want to acquire a basic command of the languages spoken in the countries they go visit (the Dutch too, and they're much better at that than any other nation on Earth), whilst their German counterparts use only English wherever they go.

I won't claim I'm a typical French sample, but I managed to become semi-fluent in German, Italian, Swedish and English, and I can get by just fine with Dutch, Norwegian and Spanish.

[Tooting Carmen]

Yep. I have noticed that young French backpackers always want to acquire a basic command of the languages spoken in the countries they go visit (the Dutch too, and they're much better at that than any other nation on Earth), whilst their German counterparts use only English wherever they go.

I won't claim I'm a typical French sample, but I managed to become semi-fluent in German, Italian, Swedish and English, and I can get by just fine with Dutch, Norwegian and Spanish.

Precisely my point. Many people confuse "being able to speak English well" with "being a good linguist" in general.

[MysteriousWays]

Germans on average.

[Roy]

The Dutch are the best as far as speaking foreign languages goes. Most of them are fluent in English, and many know German too, or can speak in 2 foreign languages. Italians are likely the worst as far as English goes among highly developed European countries.

Out of these 5: Germans.

[Cristiano viejo]

The Dutch are the best as far as speaking foreign languages goes. Most of them are fluent in English, and many know German too, or can speak in 2 foreign languages. Italians are likely the worst as far as English goes among highly developed European countries.

Out of these 5: Germans.

I dont think Italians go worse in English than Spaniards, being honest. And if they really do, then ohmyGod...

[Tooting Carmen]

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[Tooting Carmen]

I dont think Italians go worse in English than Spaniards, being honest. And if they really do, then ohmyGod...

Italy is a bit better IMO for English than Spain is (after all, Italian isn't really a global language as such). However, I am not sure how much more common it is for Italians to speak other foreign languages than it is for Spaniards.

[Tooting Carmen]

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