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Languages spoken by the leaders of Europe and North America (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/mapporn@lemmy.world
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[–] 32 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

When meeting with each other, heads of state who speak different languages always have their own translators present

While most of these leaders speak more than one language, many of them would not feel comfortable engaging in diplomacy or negotiations outside their native language

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  • [–] 23 points 2 years ago

    Yeah, e.g. Merkel and Putin. Both can speak German and Russian very well, but they still used translators for offical talks. Too much of a risk to use a phrase or word that means something in one language, but translated it can mean something else or have bad implications.

    On that level you don't want an accidental misunderstanding.

    Not even talking about insults, world leaders cpuld identify that, but imagine accidentally promising or indicating something you didn't want to.

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