Foreign Languages

[Stingy Jack]

America is the only industrialized nation whose population (in general) speaks only a single language. It seems that people don't want to learn another language because they don't intend to use it, regardless of the value (both cultrally and intellectually) learning another can be. I think this really reflects the intellectual stagnancy that Americans have become mired in. "If it has no practical use, why do I need to know it?" Makes me sad, really.

[Sam The Egg]

you have to take at least one year of a foreign language at our school in order to graduate...that is, when the remember to hire a teacher for the class :mad:

[Ritualistic]

I myself think it is good for the mind, I would like to learn other languages.. BUT I dont think I should learn another language because other people in USA country dont speak english... I dont feel the need to accomodate to foreigns

[Haunted]

I know that many hate the French, but I used to speak pretty decent French. I really want to learn German, as I think its a beautiful language.

Also, yes, I think learning a foreign language would be good for the mind and for cultural boundaries.

[xGuardianx03]

I took two years of French in high school but alas, I can hardly remember a word. :o

I also took sign language when I was in high school but I've also forgotten alot of that. If you don't use it, you will lose it. (hey a poem)

I would like to learn Japanese. I think it's a beautiful sounding language and I'm infatuated with their culture.

[Ritualistic]

Originally posted by Sam The Egg
you have to take at least one year of a foreign language at our school in order to graduate...that is, when the remember to hire a teacher for the class :mad:

Sam I am taking a English class this semester, AND I have had 3 different teachers so far...it has really pissed us off

[orangestar]

Sí señor. Yo quiero el español mucho. Es mi clase favorita.

[Ritualistic]

Originally posted by xGuardianx03


I also took sign language when I was in high school but I've also forgotten alot of that. If you don't use it, you will lose it. (hey a poem)

yeah this is very true..

But here is a resolution.... I took a typing class in HS and for some odd reason in my head while I was bored I would think of where the letters were on the keyboard.. Not until I was 20 did I type on a keyboard again... but between the ages of 15 and 20 I typed in my mind. I guess some people could do this with other lang or sign lang.

[massacre man]

Originally posted by Stingy Jack
America is the only industrialized nation whose population (in general) speaks only a single language. It seems that people don't want to learn another language because they don't intend to use it, regardless of the value (both cultrally and intellectually) learning another can be. I think this really reflects the intellectual stagnancy that Americans have become mired in. "If it has no practical use, why do I need to know it?" Makes me sad, really.

... :rolleyes: *asks why stingy recycles my statements*

[Stingy Jack]

Originally posted by Haunted
I know that many hate the French, but I used to speak pretty decent French. I really want to learn German, as I think its a beautiful language.

Also, yes, I think learning a foreign language would be good for the mind and for cultural boundaries.

I speak French. My mother's family is French Canadian, and she grew up speaking it ... and taught it to me at a young age. Of course, the dialect I speak is different from Parisian French that they teach in schools (but I took those French classes also.)

My wife speaks fluent French and German. You should really give German a shot, it is easier to learn than other foreign languages because it is semantically simpler than English. But I don't know how beautiful it sounds ... it always sounds to me as if they're constantly trying to dislodge something from their throats.