A poll for non-native English speakers

English is an easy language to understand, compared to some other languages (I did French for 6 years in high school, followed an extra course, and where I live I hear French almost every day, and still it's difficult to master it well.).

I understand the biggest part of what I hear, and from what I don't understand, the biggest part is because of people not articulating well, but I still learn new words through prog and other music.

I voted "everything" because that comes closest. It's seldom that I need a lyric sheet.

npjnpj wrote: I'm bilingual. Can I vote?

depends on whether English is one of your language, and you've been bilingual for all your life. That would kind of make you a native English speaker, wouldn't it?

Well I lived in England for 1 year and a half, without that short-living I would be needing studying English in school. I mean, I do have English in school, but talking in english in a country for 1 year and a half, makes it so easy.

Obviously, for lyrics and some other kind of stuff, I sometimes PREFER lyric sheet, and in TV case, subtitles but in english. I suppose this is 'Other'

I generally understand everything, but sometimes it can be hard to hear what a singer is singing because of the way he/she sings it, or because of production issues. But this can be the case with Swedish (my mother tongue) lyrics too. 

I started to understand more as my english got better - after 7 years I understand almost everything but I never pay attention so it really doesn't matter. 

Lyrics and sometimes a  dictionary ,for some words

I chose option number 5. I mostly understand everything but, every now and then, a word, play on word, reference, mispronunciation, etc pops in and I don't get it.

Viva Mexico!!!!!!
and Russia too if you want

I need lyric sheet only, and once again... Viva Mexico

The T wrote: Of course, I'm not including black or death metal albums here... If anyone can understand more than 1.76 % of what Cannibal Corpse is singing about, please... I'll take whatever you're taking...

While not true for Cannibal Corpse, I do understand about 50% of the English lyrics in the more famous black metal bands. You get used to it.
The more mid range clearer growls like melodeath are exactly the same as most singers with a slightly more difficult accent.

Anyway, I don't usually listen to lyrics, but if I do, I get most of it. A lot is depending on the mix, though, and the problems that may arise are because of my inability to hear the word, not to understand what it means. I have a similar stance in German, although I will hear lyrics even if I don't listen, unlike in English where it stays an instrument for the duration of listening unless I want it to be something else.

Speaking english when your mother tongue is some other idiom is more commonplace today than before (merci, Internet, gracias) . I am amazed that so many non-english PA members use Shakespeare's tongue so eloquently. Mind you there are a few who need a decoder but vive la difference!