Utterly Meaningless

What a shame. I enjoy learning foreign languages. If nothing else it teaches one to empathize with those learning English.

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What a shame. I enjoy learning foreign languages. If nothing else it teaches one to empathize with those learning English.

We’ve already started teaching our kids Spanish (they’re in grade 1 and K). In my opinion, any children who don’t have at least a rudimentary grasp of Spanish are going to be handicapped in later life.

UGH!

Americans are already handicapped and they don’t even know it. You want peace and continued prosperity in this country? Then shove your arrogance and LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE. So many people in other countries don’t even need other evidence to think poorly of us. We won’t even teach our kids to communicate in another language (let alone two or three) effectively and that’s a big part of why we aren’t respected globally. One day we’re going to wake up and realize what at disadvantage we’ve put ourselves at, both politically and economically.

FURTHERMORE, learning another language helps people make sense of grammar, syntax, etc. in English! Lord knows they aren’t actually teaching that stuff in English classes anymore.

I still can’t believe how many people are so self-centered, culturally. American culture is not some shining beacon of goodness like so many have been brainwashed to believe. But they won’t ever figure that out because they don’t visit other countries, and even if they did they wouldn’t really get it because THEY DON’T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.

PS – Here’s a joke a German friend of mine told me a few years ago – Q: What do you call someone who only speaks one language? A: An American.

Since I’m working more closely with my German colleagues (who all speak English), I’ve resolved to attempt to learn some German.

I’ve tried to learn Spanish a couple of times, but it was always at work in a restaurant, attempting to learn more than just how to swear from a Mexican coworker. The story that really stands out is one particular coworker who swore that there is a second T in the word Atlanta and that it’s not silent. Having grown up in Atlanta, I should know whether or not you pronounce that second T, and apparently I don’t.

What I find interesting is that the same sentiments (regarding language education) can be heard here as well.

Anglophones resent any non-DSFM schools who mandate french, and francophones resent any non-DSFM schools, period. Both, feel their languages (and therefore, their cultures) are in danger.

I call it for the bigoted crock of shit that it is.

Sam,

I grew up in Greenville, SC. There is no “t” in Atlanta. It’s pronounced ‘lanna. 🙂

Audrey,

DSFM— Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine?

Yep, that DSFM.

Sam, ever read Chef Bourdain’s “Bone in the Throat” (ruthless kitchen pirates of many nationalities communicating only through mixed language swearing?)