I love that Obama thinks it's necessary for Americans to learn other languages!

[babylonsister]

He is SO right! We've lost some of the critical parts of education by ignoring or dissolving them. Also classes in gym, art, chess, whatever!

[Captain Angry]

1. The world is becoming closer thanks to the internet.

It might be nice for citizens of the USA to chat with people in other countries in a foreign language.

Kind of like the rest of the world does with us.

[Mythsaje]

2. We really should...

We should get MORE experiences dealing with foreign cultures, not fewer.

[babylonsister]

4. I agree. If you have some time,

read this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4698460#4698594

[Mythsaje]

7. I agree...

I think not talking to our "enemies" is damn stupid. Open channels of communication can prevent unncessary violence, even if the two sides aren't in agreement. At least they're TALKING.

[EFerrari]

3. Learning a foreign language teaches you more about your own.

We can't have that!

[babylonsister]

6. Hello, friend! I think he is so 'right on' on this! I really like Obama.

A skinny man, with big ears, and whacky ideas. Who knew he'd be so attractive to most of America?

[Amonester]

5. Excellent ! :-D

Je parle en France. :)
Mais pas en Espagne. :(
I'll try to learn soon. B-)

[babylonsister]

16. You speak France, but not Spain. Gotcha!

:pals: Thanks for that! We should let our kids have the opportunity, as I had one (and bloached it!).

[Windy]

8. If you travel to other countries, you will quickly learn how far behind we are

We've been to Italy, England, Belgium, the Netherlands and everyone speaks at least english as a second langugage. Most also speak french.

We are definitely at a disadvantage which has a direct effect on foreign business relaions,etc.

[babylonsister]

11. I just turned 52; when I was 17, I went to France and met Danes who

spoke English. We are appallingly ignorant. I also met a Brit in MX (4 years ago?) who pretty much told me how stupid Americans are; I tried to hold my own, but he was right. We are not as educated as other countries, period. At least on current events/politics.

[DURHAM D]

9. Good grief.

Has anyone running for public office in the past 40-50 years not thought that. Pathetic worshiping.

[EFerrari]

12. No For the last forty years all we've heard is how great Amerika is

how bad the UN is, and how everything furrin is second rate. Take it back to GD-P.

[babylonsister]

15. Love ya.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

17. I once embarrassed myself by not being able to speak English

to a gent from Manchester.

lol

Obama does get this piece of it and that's so good to see. Finally. Probably the first serious candidate since JFK that really does. :toast:

[mikekohr]

10. Bush Has Not Mastered English Yet

[provis99]

13. Bush has not even mastered "babytalk" yet

[OutNow]

14. Examples - Holland, China

I worked on a project with a software vendor located in Holland. I went to Holland every couple of months for code reviews, design discussions, etc. Every employee of the vendor spoke English. All college grads, maybe that's the reason? Nope. Everyone in Holland speaks two or three languages including English. Everyone. The ticket booth guy at the little train station in the suburbs of Amsterdam. The janitor at the shopping plaza in Utrecht.

OK, that's Holland. Maybe a small country with a great educational system.

A couple of years ago I worked on a project where I was the only Caucasian. Everyone else was ethic Chinese, either from Taiwan or PRC. Many of their day to day conversations were in Mandarin, but all technical review meetings were in English. Maybe 10% of the people had some trouble with discussing difficult technical issues in English, but their colleagues helped them out when necessary.

How many Americans can speak fluent Dutch? Or Mandarin? Or any other language?

I believe that Obama "gets" it, maybe because he experienced other languages and cultures as a kid. Compare that to our current pResident who didn't even have a passport until he ran for President.

[digidigido]

18. the sorry state

I have two kids in college. My 2nd wife is from Germany, she's been here 20 years. She showed me
her high school notebook when we went there. I was amazed, the english she was studying in
High School as a second language was at least as demanding as what my son was studying here
as a primary language. Ironically, when she is at work, she proof reads all correspondence,
because unlike most of the people at her office, she understands english grammar

[hendo]

19. Great!

As someone who speaks mid-level Japanese, broken Spanish, and broken Chinese I agree 100%.

I always did love that old joke

What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages? - Bilingual
What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages? - Trilingual

What do you call someone who only speaks one language?

American.

heh

[RichardRay]

20. They're not just 'foreign' languages!!

I work in Wyoming in an area with a large Hispanic population. It has been a great joy to learn a bit (and growing bit) of Spanish. Just the effort seems to open so MANY doors into social and business contacts that would have been closed without it. It's not just important to be able to look less like an 'Ugly American' overseas, it's important to being able to be a better American right here in the U.S. And, no, I don't see that as a problem; there's no 'Official Language' in this country and I see no reason for there to be one.

OTOH - the reason everybody in Holland speaks English is because NOBODY can speak Dutch, and even if they could, no one could understand it, anyway!