Would you bother to learn another language if...(see details)?

Question

Would you bother to learn another language if you had to travel thousands of miles out of your way to speak it? A lot of Europeans seem to look down on Americans who aren't muti-lingual, but none of them seem to realize that America is big enough that you don't have to know two or three languages to get by here like you may have to in Europe. If the entire continent of Europe spoke one language predominantly, wouldn't more Europeans be unilingual?

Hablo español, l-o-d-tiger. Pero no necesito saberlo.

Answer 1

Let them waste miserably their time then. Maybe it is a silly hobby.

Answer 2

It absolutely wouldn't bother me at all. There are tons of reasons to learn languages, not just because of travel or commerce reasons. You can appreciate films, literature, and music in a different language from a different culture, for example--which is a benefit that I really appreciate from knowing more than one language. Also, knowing more than one language gives you a different perspective on the world around you. It's hard to explain, but it's like you can just understand people a little better (and I don't mean in the obvious "you can understand the words that they say" kind of way). Plus, it helps make you a better user of your native language. I learned absolutely nothing about English grammar from the Texas public school system, for example, until I started taking Spanish classes. So, now I know a lot more abut English grammar thanks to learning Spanish, but I am also a better writer because of it. What I mean is, learning another language teaches more about etymology (particularly if the language you learn is in some way related to your native language) so you can understand the true meanings of the words you use a little better, and it helps you understand better the constructions of your native language. Not that this is the goal of learning another language, but it's something you pick up along the way as you realize that you need to be more aware of language generally in order to master a new one.

I believe that learning more than one language helps you become a more intelligent and well-rounded person, and when I have children, I fully intend on raising them at least bilingually (or trilingually if I pick up another language by then), no matter if we live somewhere where they will need those other languages or not.

PS--Ania is completely right. You get so many benefits from being multilingual, and it can't hurt you in any way possible!! So, why on Earth would anyone NOT want to learn more than one language? Is it just laziness, or what? (And I think that's mostly why there are many multilingual people around the world that look down on people from the US that only speak one language. If you have the means to learn another language--and most people in this country do--then why wouldn't you? That's what I mean by laziness.)

Answer 3

Regarding Europe that is true! I speak, write, and translate three languages fluently. But you know what knowing english is the most important because every country in this world speaks it so it's easier to get along. the only thing that we europeans look down to the americans is that you can't seperate a country from another. just because i have dark hair and dark eyes and an accent doesn't mean that i am mexican. but like you said i agree that america is big enough and it's not like every state has it's own language so i don't think you should get too much into that cuz you know the most important language!

Answer 4

I can see both sides. In Europe the countries are more like states to the US. However, here if we travel that distance it is all in the same language. If Europeans want to travel the same distance they need several languages. However, I do agree that the US needs to get more involved with languages. It assumes that everyone should speak its language. To answer your question, it would be hard to learn (and I mean fluently truthfully learn) a language traveling a farther distance. This is no excuse for the USA because there are so many countries present here that you are more than likely to get your practice in your own neighborhood. Yo hablo español también. Cuídate

Answer 5

The world is getting very small. Being multi lingual will soon be as important (if not more so) than a good education and travelling won't be the issue. America is growing very slowly in many ways now while developing countries are growing fast and already surpassing the US in many ways. This will be the century of developing nations in many ways. You will be putting yourself in a serious disadvantage in this century by being isolationist, egotistical, and elitist. English isn't even the most common language on the planet. Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish each are spoken by more. Many many more. Its a new world folks... get your heads out of your parochial butts.

Answer 6

I wish I knew enough Spanish to help Hispanic customers who are still learning English. I feel though that if you live in a country, you should learn the language.

Otherwise, I don't know how necessary it is to know more than English. Many people I know are unilingual, including my first-generation American parents. Their parents didn't feel it necessary to teach their kids their native languages.

That being said, I do think it's important to know some basics of another language because there are so many people in the US who don't speak native English and it helps so much in understanding them if one knows at least how another language is structured.

Answer 7

The rest of the world is always looking for reasons to look down on the United States. Screw them! You're right, this country is thousands of miles across. Europe could have developed the same way if they hadn't spent most of their history waring against one another. We're number one so let them come to us!! Why not, the American tax payer are paying for everyones debts anyway.

Answer 8

I would like to point out that there inherent advantages to being multi-lingual. My travels have taken me to places where being able to communicate in local vernacular, has kept me safe. Don't readily brush aside the power of communication in foreign language, you'd be surprised how large your circle of friends grows with this ability.

Answer 9

I think I would learn another language, even if I couldn't use in everyday life. I take Latin in school and heck, no one speaks that, but it makes me a more well-rounded person in the long run.

Answer 10

You never know what might happen in life, my dad refused to learn English in Poland, and now we ended up moving to the US a few yrs back. GO figuire. Besides, it makes you more intelligent and more rounded. Besides, how can it hurt you? O.o

Answer 11

of course i would !!! and listen i live in Puerto Rico and i don't need the 4 languages that i know the only one i need is Spanish but you don't see me whining like you !!! and by the way I'm only 15yrs old and i plan too keep learning languages because i feel it is important to know other languages because you never know when you will need them ( and knowing more stuff makes you feel smarter !!! he he !!!)