Should English speakers try harder to learn other languages?
By taraelocin
@taraelocin (1138)
October 6, 2009 12:26pm CST
English speakers often don't learn any foreign languages. Everyone speaks English, so there is little need to. But should they try a little harder? Are they missing out on getting to know other cultures much better? Do they come across as superior or lazy to other cultures?
Should English speakers try harder to learn other languages?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@dipak06 (913)
• India
10 Oct 09
English is an internationally accepted language..so if anyone know to speak English i dont think that they will have to face any problem in most cases..but in some country,specially in some areas people do not know English and they dont have interest to learn this language...so i think if you have to stay there for long time then you should learn their regional language for better communication...except of this if anyone will have interest in learning some special foreign language then they are welcomed to learn and to know more about the foreign cultures
1 person likes this
@Simon1223 (903)
• China
6 Oct 09
If the time is unlimited, I guess most of English native speaker would like to learn other languages. But it's obviously not the fact at all. They'd rather spend time on something which they think more interesting or meaningful. Take myself for example, I'm not an English native speaker. Every day I spend some time on learning English for I think it's useful. I don't spend time on an African tribal language for it's useless at present, not because I look down upon the culture of this tribe.
@taraelocin (1138)
•
10 Oct 09
True, that's the problem for English speakers. There is no need to speak another language and therefore it's never a priority.
@hora_fugit (5859)
• India
10 Oct 09
When I was surfing through language-swap sites I came across many people who wanted to learn different languages. And yes, most of them were not English speakers. I don't agree that it's just matter of priority. I am learning Spanish but not because I am planning to spend my life in Spain. There is something called 'interest'. I assume they do what is needed only, not what can be. HAHA
