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Kate
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Foreign Languages
September 15, 2009 - 01:32 PM
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As an American, I learn how to speak one language-English-fluently. In other countries, many students are required to learn their nation's language and English too.
So I wonder, do Americans come off as arrogant because of this? Do you think American school children should be required to learn another language as well?
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shobana
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Re: Foreign Languages
September 18, 2009 - 11:52 AM
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Personally, I don't think it makes you seem arrogant.
As u said, other countries require their students to learn the national language as well as english. But the reason for this is because English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
Take my country for instance, we learn our national language(Malay) and English. If we were to learn malay alone, it would be difficult for us to converse with people from elsewhere because not many people speak Malay.
But for you, it's different. Your main language is already widely spoken, so learning another language is not really required.
But then again, keep in mind that learning another language is often an advantage no matter where u come from. Learning languages like French,spanish and mandarin are good.
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Lalit Mishra
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Re: Foreign Languages
September 18, 2009 - 10:13 PM
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First of all, learning one or many languages doesn't mean that the individual will be arrogant or soft spoken. It's a outburst of the feeling that comes out and is very often a resultant of surroundings and situations.
Language is a means of conveying the message, thought, or feeling etc. to a person, animal and to a many ends.
English is spoken every where in America that is why it is a common means of conveying thoughts and feelings however, there are many countries where many languages are spoken in the different regions.
If you wish to communicate to an individual who doesn't know english then either you need to learn the language of that individual or else you will have to make that person speak and understand english.
In a nutshell, speaking and understanding language is a complete variable activity often triggered by the requirement prevailing in the region.
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Maya0512
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Re: Foreign Languages
September 30, 2009 - 08:24 AM
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Well I am from Serbia, so English is my foreign lanquage
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Stefane
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Re: Foreign Languages
October 14, 2009 - 10:30 PM
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I don't know if "arrogant" is the correct term but to a lot of my friends in France, Portugal, Korea, China, and other places, they tend to think of us as cool for knowing English and having it so easy. They also do consider us a bit rude or dumb because they come to the conclusion that we usually do not take the time to learn other languages or we learn the language so poorly and don't seem to care about it by having an "Oh, I have English to fall back on" sort of attitude.
American school children should learn another language, not only to benefit their interactions with others but also to help them gain a better understanding of their own language. It leads to understanding their view of the world compared to that of someone whose native language causes their perception of something to be significantly different.
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Kate23
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Re: Foreign Languages
November 20, 2009 - 12:42 AM
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People in other countries learn English because it is the most common medium of communication in business around the world. I don't believe that Americans come off as "arrogant" because of this. In fact, if you look at other people who have English as their second language, you will be surprised that they speak and write English better than some Americans do. Why? Because they actually study the language.
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Kate
MedifastHealth.org
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Chris Joyner
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Re: Foreign Languages
December 16, 2009 - 10:27 PM
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As an American I don't think not knowing another language is arrogant but I do feel that more Americans should take advantage of the opportunity to learn a foreign language. While learning a foreign does not necessarily need to be required I do think that language departments in schools across the country need better funding to have the ability to entice American students to take a different language. Not only does learning a new language allow you to be a more active global citizen but it also gives you a better understanding of the different cultures of the world. I took french for 5 years and gained an immense appreciation for french culture. More than simple communication, I think foreign languages gives people insight into other cultures which only serves to make them a better leader as the world comes closer and closer together.
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Jacob Addelson
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Re: Foreign Languages
January 18, 2010 - 06:04 PM
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The fundamental basis of language is that it is a means through which ideas can be communicated. As an English speaker, if I do not learn another language, I am instantly limiting myself to ideas communicated by less than a third of the world's population. Everytime one learns a new word in Spanish or make the slightest attempt to learn a foreign language, that person opens that door, if only a fraction of an inch, into a broader range of ideas.
It is therefore not arrogance when English speakers refuse to learn another language, it is ignorance. It is ignorant to believe that English contains the sum total of all human knowledge and that it is therefore unnecessary to learn another language.
While on the subject, it is important also to talk about translations. This is getting in to more of a literary realm, but nevertheless, it serves as a metaphor for something larger. Take for example, a Spanish 17th century drama, La vida es sueno, by Pedro Calderon de la Barca. It has meter and rhyme and it has nuance in its words. Read it in Spanish and you get all that. Read it in English and you get the plot, you get the symbolism of dreams and reality and understand the themes of power and predestination. Yet you lose the nuance and the rhyme and meter. And so, if we know only English, we miss the nuance and we lose something, even if we still get the meaning.
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Cassandra Webb
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Re: Foreign Languages
January 28, 2010 - 03:11 PM
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I'm an American high school student, I attend a high school in Kentucky. I am in Spanish right now! It isn't hard, it is just hard to understand. But we also have a wonderful teacher too.
I don't think it should be required, but it is here in Kentucky,if your going to go for a college prep diplomia. But learning a different language is really fun!
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Sheroze Sheriffdeen
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Re: Foreign Languages
February 10, 2010 - 10:30 AM
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Each language is different as each community is. Learning a foriegn language opens up a gateway to the vast knowledge of a culture.
I personally can understand English, Sinhala, Tamil, Hindi, Urdu. Getting know different people from different cultures and backgrounds is fun and also it makes you wise.
Being limited to one language tend to make you ignorant. So the more you know less you tend to offend people through miscommunication.
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Uvin
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Re: Foreign Languages
February 14, 2010 - 08:58 AM
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I myself can speak Sinhalese (our national language),English and Tamil(to a certain extent),Spanish(also to a certain extent)
it is very useful to learn many languages.
For example in my country- Sri Lanka we use to have the ethnic problem with Tamils. i think the main cause for it is that we Sinhalese people cant speak Tamil so we can't co-operate with them..
Please comment
Uvin Madurapperuma
Sri Lanka
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John Peterr
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Re: Foreign Languages
February 22, 2010 - 07:04 AM
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hi,
i think your missing the basic thing,
why do people learn english.
Because it is globally accepted language, and people who are good at their national language may not have their language accepted worldwide. Here they try to learn a language which is world wide accepted.
Defensive Driving Texas
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Uvin
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Re: Foreign Languages
February 22, 2010 - 10:43 AM
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Yes English is essential...but most of the people knows their English....We also need to learn other foreign languages and also english..
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