Why do we have foreign languages when everybody speaks English? Isn't it just a waste of time?

Answer 1

That question is as dangerous as asking "Why do we need other races? Isn't it just a waste of humanity?".
Each language shows a different reality. Each of them expresses things in a different way. Why would I like to use English to say love words to my wife when English is so poor at that?
Not everyone speaks English. Not even in your own country. It is not the language most of people in the world speaks. Maybe it is the one with more students. But.. then.. why would the rest of the world would like to give up their own culture to adopt English? that's just an absurd thing.
From your question, I asume you speak ONLY English. Then you are missing a lot.
(lol and.. by the way.. for foreigners [talking from the American or British or Australian, etc. point of view] English IS a foreign language)

Answer 2

because there are other cultures in the world beside english people lol....thats what makes the world so fun and unique each country has a language and a native tongue that makes people unique to where they come from..im sure most ppl do understand english but believe it or not some ppl dont....languages derive from previous cultures in history so its all apart of how the world was formed and how civilizations came to be. To me its a waste of time if u only go through life knowing english..get to know some others its exciting and fun!

Answer 3

I'm from Wales and speak Welsh, it's a much older language than English and is a part of our culture. If the countrie next to England gets its own language to express its culture then so should the rest of the countries in the world.

Answer 4

Because every language is a special way to view the world. Also in different languages you can find different concepts and/or words which don't exist in English for instance. Being able to use a different language changes your perspective and gives you another pattern of thinking. And last but not least, it teaches you that your culture is not the centre of the Universe.

Answer 5

English is the 2nd most confusing language in the world, next to Mandarin Chinese. Not everyone in the world speaks english, as a matter of fact most of the world's population does not know english. If you're religious, look up the story of the Tower of Babel.

Answer 6

I think it is a common misconception that people think everybody speaks English. Languages are associated with cultures, that's one of the many reasons why we have different languages, it is a part of our own culture, which most of us cannot live without.


I sense a little bit of sarcasm in your question by seeing other languages as a waste of time.That's sad.

Answer 7

It is a waste of time for xenophobic, bigoted idiots who wouldn't speak to someone from another country or culture if you paid them to. But then again, those guys can hardly speak English as it is, so basically everything's a waste of time with them.

I realize your question is tongue-in-cheek. Unfortunately, however, there are those who might actually ask the same question in earnest! Pity the black-hearted, closed-minded soul who thinks his own language, his own country, his own religion, his own beliefs are the only legitimate ones on the face of the Earth!

Answer 8

Everybody does not speak English, not here or anywhere in the world. But I agree with the premiss that if you live here in USA or any other country you should learn the appropiate Language and not expect that what ever Country maybe, adjust to your particular need. Perhaps the reason they make documents in different languages is to avoid the excuse of " I didnt understand ...." or " I didnt know what it said, etc etc."

Answer 9

Of course not! There are still many countries and places in the world where english is not spoken! We should not always expect other people to learn our language, it is very respectful and well-recieved to be able to say something in a country's official language. You are better recieved by the locals and it makes for good relations.

Answer 10

You're silly the most widely spoken language is Chinese! Or maybe cantonese... I can't remember but it isn't English! Besides there's loads of cool ones, a french dude made a musical language which died out about 100 years ago but it still sounds good.