Math Is Fun Forum

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

French and English

There are two women. One only speaks French and one only speaks English. "Hello," The English woman says. The French woman says hello back. The English woman can't understand French but she understands the woman. How is this possible?

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: French and English

Because the French woman said "Hello". She didn't know what she was saying, but the English woman did.

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

Re: French and English

You're getting warmer...

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

Devantè

Real Member

Registered: 2006-07-14

Posts: 6,400

Re: French and English

There are two women. One only speaks French and one only speaks English. "Hello," The English woman says. The French woman says hello back. The English woman can't understand French but she understands the woman. How is this possible?

Because the French woman waved her hand, signalling 'hello'.

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

Re: French and English

You're getting even warmer. But the French woman didn't wave.

I'll give you an hour to figure this out then I'll tell you the answer.

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

Devantè

Real Member

Registered: 2006-07-14

Posts: 6,400

Re: French and English

Both me and Mathsyperson's answers are perfectly suited to this riddle.

Here are some answers;

The English woman went on to babelfish.altavista.net and translated the woman's speech.
The English woman can understand basic French.
There was a translator present.
The English woman had telekenetical powers.

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

Re: French and English

None are right. I'm giving you a day. If you can't figure it out, I'll just blab the answer out to all of you.

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

Devantè

Real Member

Registered: 2006-07-14

Posts: 6,400

Re: French and English

Because Choco told the English woman exactly, in detail, the words of what the French woman said and what they meant?

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

Re: French and English

Wrong, wrong and wrong! If the next member who posts dosen't get it right, I'll just blab out the answer to everyone.

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: French and English

The English woman doesn’t understand French but the French woman understands English. (Otherwise how would the French woman know the English woman was greeting her?)

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

Re: French and English

OK. The answer is this:

The English woman only understands 'Hello' in French.

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

Devantè

Real Member

Registered: 2006-07-14

Posts: 6,400

Re: French and English

The English woman can understand basic French.

But that's basically the same thing, right?

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

Re: French and English

No, you said 'Basic' French. That means simple scentences. The English woman only knows Hello in French so she understood the French woman.

But you and Mathsy were close enough, I give you that.

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

Devantè

Real Member

Registered: 2006-07-14

Posts: 6,400

Re: French and English

I guess it's down to how people see it. Some statements can have different meanings conveyed all at once. But I still think my answer was good.