Sept-Oct 2003 Hotels

[GC Fraser]

As a resident of the, um, "greatest" nation, I couldn't let this pass.  It
is true that many Americans speak only English, but I think that there are
other important reasons why this is so besides pride.
All American students are required to study at least one other language, I
think Spanish and French are the most common.  However, that instruction
takes place in a cultural and linguistic vacuum.  That is, there is no one
who speaks it well enough with whom there is opportunity, let alone need, to
speak in any language but English.  Secondly, foreign language courses are
taught more as exercises in logic, than as any real attempt to communicate.
Another reality is that the United States is so vast that there is no
practical need or opportunity to learn other languages.  We are bordered by
only two countries and of those, one, Canada, is English speaking along the
greatest part of that border.  I would have to travel about 2000 miles (3000
km) before I had any real need to speak Spanish.  French Canada is
relatively nearby (about 400-450 miles) (600-675 km), but most people don't
jump in the car for a quick dinner and movie at that distance.
I consider myself fortunate; I grew up in a French Canadian family in the
US.  When I was very young, my parents (and I) spoke French for my
grandmother's sake, and that has made all the difference.  I find it easy to
pick up other latin languages as needed.  I think that the ability to think
in two languages gives one a great advantage when learning others.  This is
no virtue on my part, just a gift of God and circumstance.
Fr. Gerry Fraser
madmonk_1acomcast.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU]On
Behalf Of pieter pannevis
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 1:24 AM
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: Re: Sept-Oct 2003 Hotels


Dear all
Most Europeans do speak French, German, English and Spanish and there mother
tongue ( for me Dutch)
If the " greatest' nation on earth thinks that English will do; they are in
an error

Ultreya and good health to you all !
pieter and Trigo from Holland
pieterpannevisagmx.net