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Federal Election 2008 Thread (pg. 15)
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| ChemEnhanced |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
How does his ability to speak English affect his ability to represent the country?
There is too much exaggeration on how bad it is. |
+1 |
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| Nick Cenik |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
How does his ability to speak English affect his ability to represent the country?
There is too much exaggeration on how bad it is. |
+1.
Having taken the time to listen to Dion speak on a handful of occasions, I've formed the opinion that he seems to be a very smart and honest person who has some great ideas for policies. He appears to be considerably more sincere and trustworthy than Harper. |
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| malek |
Guys Dion is an university professor (at University snooze de Montréal) and he has always been like that, i still remember him being invited as a specialist on federation at radio canada well over 10 years ago, he was so good as a panelist that he landed a job as minister of inter-provincial affairs under Chrétien.
He's able to explain something to you so you can understand it, but can't stand debates and sweet talk to you like politicians. He's very square.
Duceppe wasn't that good today, he was very nervous. He didn't end his words and sentences which only made him hard to understand. I liked the part where he's just frank saying "i will not be a PM and neither you three" pointing at everyone except harper. |
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| hardcore trancer |
| I thought Dion did very well last night and was able to present himslef very well during the debates.I really enjoyed watching getting attacked from left right and cenetre from all the parties.:) |
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| Skipper |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
How does his ability to speak English affect his ability to represent the country?
There is too much exaggeration on how bad it is. |
because when international affairs are conducted in english, he's going to struggle communicating.
because 2 of the most powerful nations in the world -US and Britain - are obviously english. |
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| doctor_ew |
anyone know if the debate will be played again on tv?
I cant find it in any online tv guides..
I tried to watch it but the US VP debate won over last night... |
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| Yohan |
| kinda frigging sad when foreign election debate by VP candidates win over election debate of your own country. |
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| The Highroller |
| quote: | Originally posted by Skipper
because when international affairs are conducted in english, he's going to struggle communicating. |
Again, you are exaggerating. Although he has a moderate accent, he can still communicate clearly. I find it hard to believe that you or any other English speaker would have trouble understanding the point he is trying to get across.
| quote: | | because 2 of the most powerful nations in the world -US and Britain - are obviously english. |
There are certainly other leaders in the world who speak English as a second language communicate effectively to other leaders in English. This is not a valid reason for concluding that he isn't a good leader. |
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| Knox |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
There are certainly other leaders in the world who speak English as a second language communicate effectively to other leaders in English. This is not a valid reason for concluding that he isn't a good leader. |
+1
beat me to the post. |
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| malek |
| quote: | Originally posted by Skipper
because when international affairs are conducted in english, he's going to struggle communicating.
because 2 of the most powerful nations in the world -US and Britain - are obviously english. |
And Chrétien was much better?
What does the poor poor poor 95% of the rest of the world with their thick accents when they conduct international politics and buisness?
Let's all talk english, hoist the US flag and get it over with:p |
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| DigiNut |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
This is not a valid reason for concluding that he isn't a good leader. |
It's not as insignificant as you make it out to be, either. He might have all the right ideas on how to run the country (not that he does), but the PM also has to represent our country internationally as well as unify the rank and file. Any perceived communication difficulties are a serious weakness here.
It may be just that - a perception - but the effects are real. It's often the case that the glib have their way over the truly competent but less clear-spoken.
I personally didn't realize just how hard it really is to function with non-native and more specifically non-fluent English speakers until I had to work with them. I think I can comfortably say that I'm a clear communicator, and when I'm dealing with people who aren't, no matter how intelligent and experienced I know they are, I still have to go over the same damn thing four times before we're on the same page, and even then I sometimes find out afterward that something was totally misinterpreted.
I'm not thinking of one specific person or experience, it's a trend. And I'm not saying there aren't exceptions (lord knows there are plenty of English speakers who are awful communicators - just read any online forum to see that), but the majority of my most frustrating experiences are with people who just haven't quite mastered the language and its subtleties and idioms.
And if that's how it is at work or on errands with the occasional dialogue, think of how it would be in political office with constant dialogue. More than half of what a PM does is just speak. If that part of the job isn't completely effortless for him, he's going to have a really hard time with the rest.
Just my opinion though. It's not as though Dion's speech is the only thing one can fault him on anyway. |
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| MarkT |
I don't think it's terribly relevant.
many foreign leaders don't have impeccable English accents as well, (with English perhaps not even being their first language).
It's not like Dion is alone, lol...he has a rather substantial staff ;) |
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