My friend told me recently he was in the grocery store and he heard two men having a rather heated discussion about whether or not their children should have to learn foreign language in school. My friend said that at one point, the man arguing against foreign language education said to the other, "If English is good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for my son."
If that statement can represent a feeling Americans - not all, but a significant proportion - think about other languages, who is to say it doesn't extend to opinions on different cultures, different races, and different ethnicities?
It is scary to think that in the 21st Century there are people who believe that Jesus was a white, anglo-saxon, English speaking man.
I doubt a day goes by that I don't think about my desire to be fluent in more than just English. In other leading countries that are major players in the global political and economic arenas, as well as in some peripheral countries, almost everyone speaks more than one language. It seems like such a valuable education and communication tool, and I think many times the people of the United States feel isolated from others and their cultures because we cannot converse with them. The United States has carved out a big position for itself in the world - but if it cannot keep up with the progressive cultures of other nations and inspire the education in its people that is necessary to maintain such a powerful position, it should be careful in its invicible attitude towards foreign affairs.
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My children will be required to know one, if not two, languages besides English. As for myself, even if I can get around speaking only English, I think it's interesting to learn another language. Though, my French teacher bit my head off a few years ago because I said I think one day everyone can speak at least one of the same languages, to reduce the effects of mistranslation and whatnot. I didn't say that language had to be English.... we should just create another language that is spoken at international conferences and whatnot. Ok, so that's not so realistic, but she asked us to say what we thought would come with the future....
Personally, I'm more concerned about people thinking Jesus spoke English than the debate itself, but that's just me.
~C
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The man wasn't present when God was here, so he doesn't know what he's talking about...But as for languages, it is right to learn more than one, because what if you were traveling in another country, and you got lost and needed help? You need to learn another language!
I've learned Italian, German and Spanish in schools. I can't imagine not learning other languages.
And to say that Jesus spoke ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!????
I would laugh if I wasn't feeling kinda bad for the guy's offspring.
Now you would think, that Jesus spoke Hebrew. Not only that, but you would think he'd speak in tongues too. Personally, I'm betting he knew a handful, if not all, languages. But to argue about it? That's about as good as arguing about what he looked like. *shakes head*
I believe he spoke Aramaic. I repeat 'I believe, I'm not totally sure....
--Pauperes Commilitones Christi Templique Salomonis--
Learning someone else's language doesnt make you inferior to them it just means you learn more and youre smarter :) I cant believe he thought Jesus spoke English, I think if I had heard him say that I would have laughed my head off and he would have beat me up. I'm sooooo excited that I'll be learning Italian this next semester. I'm already bilungual but I think learning other languages is a lot of fun and besides most kids in Europe speak 3+ languages, cant let them beat me *wink*
--Pauperes Commilitones Christi Templique Salomonis--
As far as Jesus I am not getting into that due to I am athiest.
But as far as foreign languages I believe that it is not a necessity to learn a language unless if you are going to that country. It seems like nothing is more irritating them someone going to France and expecting them to speak english not French. If you go to a country it is your job to learn the language.
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