[JoeFromSidney]

In one of his persistent but little-noticed lies, Jean Francois asserts that he learned to “speak Vietnamese” during those 132 days, which is a little odd since everyone I know (including myself) has taken several months just to get through the 7 tonal patterns (and I still make lots of mistakes).

I spent 22 months in Thailand 1962 - 1963, and made a real effort to learn Thai. I never did get to the point of being able to read a newspaper or hold an extended conversation. I could read street signs, and manage in the markets, but that was about it. I doubt JF learned much Vietnamese either.

[angkor]

>>>>>I could read street signs, and manage in the markets, but that was about it. I doubt JF learned much Vietnamese either.

I call that “functional competence” and I’m just a bit beyond that with Vietnamese speaking and listening (depends upon the regional accent of the speaker, which varies greatly throughout Vietnam).

As for Kerry, it is extremely doubtful that he ever got beyond a handful of words.