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pest · 06-16-2003, 07:28 PM

[quote="Old Reliable":8441f]Americans are the guilty ones here. *SHOCKER* when travelling, most americans don't learn the French language, but nearly all French learn a little or even a huge portion of ENglish when coming to america. It also goes with learning the culture. and for those of you who disagree with me, can you speak 1 or 2 other languages or tell me some customs acceptable in other countries outside of US? probably not. that my friends is a sad trend[/quote:8441f]

Yes, but ask yourself why.

In Europe, you have more than a half dozen languages in an area smaller than the continental US. In order to communicate, a common language most exist. For much of europe, english is that language.

Now, take the US. Then add English speaking Canada add you have a very large geographic area that is english speaking. Then consider that most of the bi-lingual population speaks spanish. That gives us almost two whole conitinents with only two languages. Four if you include quebec and brazil. So where is the need to learn french? What is the cost benefit relationship?

I dont think americans are as quilty as you say. And I dont think the french learn english for our benefit, they do it because itis useful in their everyday lives.

	(#7)
pest is Offline Senior Member Posts: 2,828 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Buzzin around the dung pile...	06-16-2003, 07:28 PM [quote="Old Reliable":8441f]Americans are the guilty ones here. SHOCKER when travelling, most americans don't learn the French language, but nearly all French learn a little or even a huge portion of ENglish when coming to america. It also goes with learning the culture. and for those of you who disagree with me, can you speak 1 or 2 other languages or tell me some customs acceptable in other countries outside of US? probably not. that my friends is a sad trend[/quote:8441f] Yes, but ask yourself why. In Europe, you have more than a half dozen languages in an area smaller than the continental US. In order to communicate, a common language most exist. For much of europe, english is that language. Now, take the US. Then add English speaking Canada add you have a very large geographic area that is english speaking. Then consider that most of the bi-lingual population speaks spanish. That gives us almost two whole conitinents with only two languages. Four if you include quebec and brazil. So where is the need to learn french? What is the cost benefit relationship? I dont think americans are as quilty as you say. And I dont think the french learn english for our benefit, they do it because itis useful in their everyday lives.