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Paula Radcliffe: Although I'm known first and
foremost as an athlete, my foreign language skills have given
another dimension to my career. I regularly use French and German
when I travel to compete in Europe.
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Hugo Speer learnt French for his role in Barnie
et ses petites contrariétés: I'd forgotten most of the French that
I had learnt at school, I knew how to ask a girl out and how to
order a beer, which are obviously the essentials! I was the only
Englishman on the set, so I learnt quickly!
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Oscar-winning Hollywood star Charlize Theron
learned many of the 28 languages she speaks from the staff on her
parents' farm.
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Arsène Wenger: I would like to take this
opportunity to say how advantageous it can be...to have knowledge
of foreign languages...I would have no hesitation in advising
people of any age to learn another language.
Jonny Wilkinson: I spent some time brushing up
on my French. I am reading the French version of Running
man by Stephen King. It is one of my favourite films. I can
get the gist of it, which makes it more enjoyable rather than
having to have a dictionary by my side all the time. I need to
speak the language a fair bit more. I would like to get it nailed
down. The only way really to do that is to spend some time in
France.
Prince William has said he will learn Welsh and
taught himself Swahili because of his love of Africa: I've got a
book and a book-tape... I have them in my room and they're
collecting dust quite rapidly but I am trying to make progress
Phil Willis MP: The lack of linguists in our
society severely disadvantages us as a nation.
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Yungun aka Essa: UK rapper Yungun performs in
English and Spanish.