Why do we have to speak English?

**Spanky** · 2004-02-09, 01:02 PM

Why do we have to speak English?

An officer in the U.S. Naval reserve was attending a conference that

included admirals from both the U.S. Navy and the French Navy. At a

cocktail reception, he found himself in a small group that included

personnel from both navies

.

The French admiral started complaining that whereas Europeans learned

many languages, Americans learned only English. He then asked "Why is

it that we have to speak English in these conferences rather than you

speak French?"

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because

the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you would

not have to speak in German."

The group became silent.