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Mae
I heard that asking "can you speak English?" is rude to English speakers but some people say it's not rude.
When you travel abroad but get lost and want to ask for help in English, which would you say?
Do you speak English? or Can you speak English?
In this case, If you are in an English country, do you say "do you speak English?"
Sorry for many questions!
6 dec. 2021 03:49
Antwoorden · 16
1
"Do you speak English?" is good. In an English-speaking country, I suppose it is okay to try asking a question in English directly.
It's all good, Mae, not a lot of questions at all :)
6 december 2021
1
Hi Mae,
Thanks for your question. I don't think that is a rude question at all. I would say that is a perfectly acceptable question, especially if you are in an English speaking country. The only time I could think of that it might be rude is if you ask the wrong person in a place like France!
My only suggestion, and maybe it is because I am half South African and we say this ALL the time haha, would be to say, 'I'm sorry, but do/can you speak English?' or 'Sorry to bother you, but do you speak English?'
I hope that helps (",)
Nick Teacher
6 december 2021
Do you speak english? is the correct way.
6 december 2021
I would not say that it is rude it depends on your approach and how you say it. It might be helpful to say 'Sorry/excuse me, can/do you speak English'. In a multilingual country I would use, 'Do you speak English?'
Hope this is helpful!
6 december 2021
Your questions are not too many and it is not rude to say, "can you speak English" to someone in an English country.
However, it is better to say, "Do you speak English?"
Regards.
6 december 2021
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Mae
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