A gifted person ought to learn English (barring spelling and pronouncing) in thirty hours, French in thirty days, and German in thirty years. (Mark Twain)

A gifted person ought to learn English (barring spelling and pronouncing) in thirty hours, French in thirty days, and German in thirty years.

Mark Twain

Related topics

barring english french hours learn ought person pronouncing spelling thirty years days

Related quotes

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life. View quote
P. D. James
In language gender is particularly confusing. Why, please, should a table be male in German, female in French, and castrated in English? View quote
Marlene Dietrich
The recent riots in France demonstrate the problem European countries face where second and third generation immigrants still do not consider themselves French, German, or English. View quote
Bobby Jindal
I never had to learn English, French and German because I was brought up as all three languages. I had a private French teacher before I even went to school. That helped a lot. View quote
Karl Lagerfeld
German and English firms operate internationally, while French firms do not. The only place where they all have work is in China. Anybody can sell himself in China! View quote
Helmut Jahn