I can get by in French and German. My friends simply say I’m a functional illiterate in three languages (I’m assuming they are throwing English into the mix). However, my abilities, for what they are, are based on my interest to speak to others. When someone asks me why I’ve sought to learn another language, I simply reply that it gives me more people to whom I can talk. However, I worry a bit about the nature of foreign language education and the future of the discipline (the French for “discipline” is discipline).
In most diploma programs at the high school level, foreign language is a requirement. However, the push works against a traditional attitude in the United States. As Americans, we have always been a bit sensitive to the idea of something being thrust upon us as often language can seem to be. We are told that all the other countries are learning foreign languages or if you want a great career, being bi (or tri- or whatever) lingual is an asset. Each time, it is told from one in a position of authority or presumed authority, speaking down to the hoi polloi. I understand the resistance of mandates but my drive to understand other languages springs from a different source (the German for “source” is Quelle).
The other thing to undermine foreign language instruction is the general political perception that the spread of a language is dangerous to American culture. That is not to say that parents send their kids off for school with the warning, “Listen, we want you to do well in school but keep in mind, there will be none of that foreign language gibberish in this household.” However, that message is broadcast across the board, throughout our cultural framework. Hand-in-hand with this fear-oriented concept is that practical idea that we really don’t need to learn another language. To the north is an English-speaking nation. To the south, is a Spanish-speaking one but those who come to the U.S. are marginalized as long as they do not know English. Throughout the world, people are seeking to speak English, and meeting an American abroad is seen as an opportunity to practice their linguistic abilities (the Yiddish word for “ability” is feyikeyt).
So, what is the importance of learning a language beyond the chance to speak to others? First of all, it helps one better understand one’s own language. The average American does not know terms like prepositional phrase or direct or indirect object. Of course, it would be foolish to expect the average American to diagram a sentence. Yet, there are many other reasons (the Italian word of "reason" is causa).
My German teacher colleague and friend said it is a venue towards understanding other cultures and to better experience a foreign culture first hand. His introduction to Beethoven or Wagner through the original German spurred his interest and desire to learn a language that was not terribly prevalent in his home state. One good friend who is fluent in Spanish (but looks every bit the gringo) said his motivation was the hope to easily travel through a place without struggling with a dictionary. For him, he had no interest in Spanish literary culture such as Don Quixote but he wanted to be able to read a newspaper and fit into various social settings. He said, and I concur, “I just want to talk to people.” A friend from Germany also feels that a primary reason for the pursuit of a language is simply understanding and being understood. My European friends were quick to point out that their initial indoctrination into languages was compulsory but each was quick to point out some of the more altruistic reasons for language acquisition. My wife, fluent in French, simply enjoyed the sound of her language of choice (the Dutch word for "choice" is keuze).
In 1958 and in the shadow of Russia’s launching of Sputnik, the U.S. Congress passed the National Defense Education Act. Fearing of falling behind the Soviets in the “space race,” American officials dumped millions of dollars into the instruction of science, math and foreign language. We need, as a country and as a culture, a re-commitment to the importance of foreign language instruction. While true that an increasing number of people in the world pursue a mastery of English, it does not recuse us from the pursuit in understanding others. We can do that with an understanding of their culture, their paradigm and their language. Think of how much easier it would be to connect with others with such an approach.
No comments:
Post a Comment