Thread: Another sad sign of the times.......

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

This is interesting. I think it just comes down to needing to know. I have a question /point ---- I know that it is common to poke at Americans for knowing only one language --- but other than for enrichment (learning Spanish might be more important in the future), why would Americans need to know another language? I still think English is basically the international language of business,etc (correct me if I'm wrong) --and the rest of world tries to learn English -- there is no incentive.

I think Europeans are praised for knowing multiple languages, but I would think the languages learned are out of necessity and are practical for one reason or another ---interaction with important neighboring countries, maybe English because it is such an important language, etc. How many Europeans know languages from less important countries? --- I think it all has to do with position in the world and necessity.

Justin

If you are doing business, even if the language of choice is English, you will make greater headway understanding you co-workers' or clients' language/culture. Beside English, I speak Russian and German fluently, basic French and Italian, Latin (nice to know as a basis for European languages, but unless you are doing business in the Vatican, not much help). When I was working in the Netherlands, I made an effort to learn some Dutch (very hard...my German kept getting in the way) and in Asia, I made an effort to learn the basic of Mandarin and Thai. To see the shock and gratitude in the faces of the locals when you would ask a question or greet them was wonderful...and when an issue came up, more often than not they would come to me. We discussed the issue in English, but they felt I would have a great empathy for them, as I had taken the time to show them respect by learning some of their language. I also found that Thais frequently spoke Mandarin, German, and French.

Also, learning a foreign language will help improve your understanding of English, given the abysmal level of English instruction in the US. Also, education should not be distilled down to only what one needs for a job. Education also expands the mind, triggers new ideas, advances humanity.

We didn't get to the moon through the efforts of people who learned "just enough."

Originally Posted by WireBeard

If you are doing business, even if the language of choice is English, you will make greater headway understanding you co-workers' or clients' language/culture. Beside English, I speak Russian and German fluently, basic French and Italian, Latin (nice to know as a basis for European languages, but unless you are doing business in the Vatican, not much help). When I was working in the Netherlands, I made an effort to learn some Dutch (very hard...my German kept getting in the way) and in Asia, I made an effort to learn the basic of Mandarin and Thai. To see the shock and gratitude in the faces of the locals when you would ask a question or greet them was wonderful...and when an issue came up, more often than not they would come to me. We discussed the issue in English, but they felt I would have a great empathy for them, as I had taken the time to show them respect by learning some of their language. I also found that Thais frequently spoke Mandarin, German, and French.

Also, learning a foreign language will help improve your understanding of English, given the abysmal level of English instruction in the US. Also, education should not be distilled down to only what one needs for a job. Education also expands the mind, triggers new ideas, advances humanity.

We didn't get to the moon through the efforts of people who learned "just enough."

Yes this is all true ----and would be ideal --- but sometimes pure necessity rules the day. When I was a kid it was tough to keep kids in high school or convince them of the importance of it when they could work offshore and make very good money ---very good money. Sometimes this is all people want and need. I'm sure the concept of a large percentage of nations population learning for the purpose of enrichment is fairly new in history.

Nope ----and we also had a huge incentive.

Justin

And let's not forget that the US is among the leaders in terms of high-end education - there's people at MIT, Stanford, Berkely, Harvard etc that make Socrates look like a moron. The US is still among the go-to places for people all over the world who want to be leaders in their field.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

And let's not forget that the US is among the leaders in terms of high-end education - there's people at MIT, Stanford, Berkely, Harvard etc that make Socrates look like a moron. The US is still among the go-to places for people all over the world who want to be leaders in their field.

James.

Always nice to have a kind word thrown in there now and again. Thanks James -- but I agree that Americans need to change their attitude towards education.


Justin

I think these things would happen naturally. If you think what is it that USA produces and what is it that it imports you will quickly realize that not so far in the future americans who cannot compete globally will have to either rely on social security or start accepting significantly lower standard of living (relatively speaking, of course, may be not by todays standards, but by that time's standards).

I agree that the higher education in US is the best in the world. Check however the ratio americans/nonamericans in the top universities. And if people from china, india or europe get that excellent education that means that the same number of american citizens didn't get it and will have to find a different kind of jobs.

As far as languages go, my country is 7milion people and have its own language. Every single US ambassador has spoken that language when they arrive. I can't think of another country that even occasionally sends ambassadors who speak the local language. Surely if you speak English and you're interacting with virtually only Englush speaking people you are fine. I am not blaming americans for not learning spanish or chinese - it's every persons own decision what they want to learn. Perhaps in near future it will become a necessity to speak another language.

I speak reasonably 3 foreign languages, and it's been my choice based on utility and aestetics. I'd like to learn even more languages - I like to be able to understand and communicate with other people even if it brings me no monetary value. But I don't consider it a virtue - I could've spent that time learning something else instead. For example I am terrible with computer games. Never played them, last time I tried PS I couldn't even compete with a 4yr old!!! Videogames can be extremely helpful in developing certain cognitive skills, so I'm not sure I've made a very good choice, but that's what it is. I'm still able to compete very successfully with my peers who are videogame champs (I wouldn't be in US otherwise), so I don't think I've gone terribly.

But yes, I've been often wondering when traveling through small US towns - what is that people do that they make their money. There's always the automechanic, the retail, the gas station,... but it's always hard to figure out where is the money that gets spent in these places come from.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

And let's not forget that the US is among the leaders in terms of high-end education - there's people at MIT, Stanford, Berkely, Harvard etc that make Socrates look like a moron. The US is still among the go-to places for people all over the world who want to be leaders in their field.

James.

True, but sadly, I think they are in the minority. The concern is for John or Jane Doe having the skills to compete in the market place and be an informed citizen.

Jefferson believed that would be the strength of our Republic - an enlightened, educated citizenry.