Today, it seems the exact opposite is true. French is nowhere, a language reserved for romantics and natives of France. Never mind that international agreements were once written only in French. Forget the famed literary works of french authors (Leroux and Hugo, anyone?), Spanish is the only language you need to know.
Spanish surrounds us. Our product labels, television stations, advertising, and is being taught earlier and earlier in our schools. It cannot be denied, Spanish is practical. However, it should not eclipse the importance of other languages in the American psyche. We are too closed-minded about languages in America. We learn one, and then expect the rest of the world to speak English. When in reality, as a world superpower, we should be able to communicate with a greater part of the globe. My high school teaches Hebrew, Spanish, French, and now Chinese (a sign that global economics is changing). But where is the Italian? The Greek? The Russian? The German? Even the Latin has disappeared in favor of more "practical" languages.
Language is beautiful. It is a tool for communication at its simplest level, it is the basis of countless art forms, it is a source of national or international pride. So why place a limit on, or discourage the study of "less practical" languages?
Doing my laundry this morning, I happened upon a rare and precious discovery. Right in front of me, on the tag of a faded t-shirt, were the words "fabrique en Haiti." Made in Haiti, in French. Underneath this statement was "hecho en Haiti" Made in Haiti, in Spanish. And below that, "Made in Haiti."
Sure, Spanish is everywhere, and Chinese is growing in popularity. And yes, many countries now make the study of English mandatory for students. But why live life in just one language, or even two? With mass media the world has become smaller and smaller, and now more than ever we are a part of a global community. We need to learn how to communicate with it.
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