Why are so many neo-con Americans afraid of other languages?

Question

I hear this a lot from Americans who are pro-war:

"You'd be speaking German/Japanese if it wasn't for blah blah blah."

When I hear that, my reaction is, "Cool. Maybe German isn't all that great, but I'd like to speak it. Japanese is an amazing language, and the people in Japan really respect their language. The letters are so beautiful."

Anyway, if you just restrict your thought to one language, you're obviously missing out on the whole picture.

Whoever can't speak a second language, doesn't know their own. You're so trapped in your own language that you can't even be aware of it.

Answer 1

"You'd be speaking German/Japanese if it wasn't for blah blah blah."

???

I think you're missing the point of this statement! You don't have to agree with it; I agree that it IS rhetoric. But the point of the statement isn't to say that German or Japanese are bad languages....speaking them is just a metaphor for being under the control of Nazi powers!
Speaking German is great; being forced to speak German by a Nazi dictator is, uh...less great.

Answer 2

I suspect that your apparent dislike of the United States (opinion from viewing your other questions) has narrowed your perspective. English has been influenced be a number of other languages (i.e., German, French, Latin, Spanish, etc.). During my time in school (albeit a number of years ago) Latin and German were taught to everyone.

Further, the intent of the response you described had nothing to do with language, rather, it was an allegorical method of describing what might have occurred if the United States hadn’t made its efforts (with the Allies) during World War II.

Answer 3

I can't disagree with you as a general matter, but I believe it would be difficult for you to persuade very many Americans, whether neo-cons, paleo-cons, liberals, libertarians, or whatever, that it would be profitable for them to move the learning of another language or two to the top of their list of priorities. It would certainly be difficult for you to persuade me of that proposition. While I would hate to miss out on the whole picture, the reality is that I've got a lot of work to do and I need to get it done. So, if you'll excuse me, . . .

Answer 4

Great question! I think it's fear -- fear of losing power and influence. Other languages are seen as a threat to the dominant position that their versions of U.S. politics and culture still have in many places of this country.

While I think there is some truth to the fact that a common national language is important for unity (on the other hand, look at Switzerland with its four official languages) and a strong national identity, I also believe that learning other languages is incredibly valuable in an increasingly global world.

Furthermore, as you correctly stated, learning another language helps you understand your native tongue -- its roots, its grammar, its beauty and its cultural importance.

Answer 5

there is not any such ingredient as suited opposition or purified capitalism you libertarian moron organic capitalism has never existed and it never will. I do believe you on them helping patents and outsourcing however. They do could desire to decontrol the economic equipment in terms of the regulation. Neocons like to impose regulations on shoppers. Your view of capitalism is fairly distorted however, and you're misrepresenting the data. What you're describing is utopian capitalism, wherein suited opposition exists. as long as a results of fact the companies are for income and are allowed to purchase out different companies, suited opposition won't in any respect exist and the enormous fish will consume the little fish. the only way for us to have a minimum of a lifelike industry wherein opposition exists, is that if the government enforces it is own anti-have confidence regulations (which it never does)

Answer 6

I think that a lot of this reasoning is based on "America, love it or leave it." My parents had this attitude regarding language, "Let ´them´ learn English."

I would agree with you that a person who only knows his native language has missed out on a lot--such as learning various ways of thinking, learning different cultural values.

I myself have studied and speak with varying degrees of fluency four languages. At least I have made an attempt to broaden my cultural and linguistic horizons.

Let´s hope that more of the young Americans of today take it upon themselves to learn more of the world, including other languages.