I Agree with George Bush?

Yes you read the title correctly! it was not some ploy to get your attention! (But I'm glad that you're here now)

At the U.S. University Presidents Summit on International Education held earlier this week, President Bush made several respectable statements regarding the importance of language education in our country.

This furthers the viewpoint established in the Suspended for language article I wrote Wednesday that America is enhanced by having multi-lingual citizens. Below is an excerpt from President Bush's speech made at the Summit. I've included my comments in red text.

“…we need people in America who can go and say to people, living in freedom is not the American way of life, it is a universal way of life. We're not saying your democracy has to be like yours. We're just saying give your people a chance to live in a free society; give women a chance to live freely; give young girls a chance to be educated and realize their full potential. And the best way to do that is to have those of us who understand freedom be able to communicate in the language of the people we're trying to help.

In order to convince people we care about them, we've got to understand their culture and show them we care about their culture.

Do you see where I'm going with this yet?

When somebody comes to me and speaks Texan, I know they appreciate the Texas culture. (Laughter.)

I mean, somebody takes time to figure out how to speak Arabic, it means they're interested in somebody else's culture. Learning a language -- somebody else's language is a kind gesture. It's a gesture of interest.

We might consider integrating this philosophy at home right now even if it doesn't concern one of the languages needed for war communication such as Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu.  The way to do this might start with stopping the pursuit of English only laws such as those proposed in Alaska, Arizona, or Ohio. Because believe it or not,

People can learn languages without isolating themselves from the ones they already know. 

I doubt Jane Doe, who became fluent in French during College, made everyone sign a contract stating they couldn't speak English to her during her learning experience. If you want to argue that full immersion helps, I won't disagree with you. However, I will ask that you give your brains a little more credit for being adaptable and recommend that you stay tuned for an article covering the neurology behind learning languages.

It really is a fundamental way to reach out to somebody and say, I care about you. I want you to know that I'm interested in not only how you talk but how you live.”

Well said. Thank you Mr. President.

Comments

[Giselle]

And Thank you Miss. Magnet.

I often find myself asking, why do we choose to limit the concept of "diversification"? We choose to close are eyes, as well as our minds, and stay in what we know as comfortable. You however, have made a great point- infusing both culture and the appreciation of it to attribute to understanding eachother more. Thanks for answering my question in a respectable manner.