Guest column: Foreign language is power

Bravo, Melissa Johnson. Three cheers for you and U.Kansas ("offers more than 30 different language programs") from an Australian virtual visitor. One of our languages teachers spotted your article and circulated the URL. I heard a Jordanian prince/politician say a year ago the most dangerous people in the world today are those with absolute certainty that they are right. I think foreign language study is so valuable because it makes you see that that your own mind, culture, language, everything are just one set of many many legitimate ways of living human life. In fact, even our grandkids will look on our lifestyle and attitudes (and mistakes) as strange and silly. Diversity and change are everywhere in nature. Immature people feel fear and insecurity in the face of natural, enriching difference. Some actually enjoy being obstinately ignorant, especially those handicapped with monolingualism and monoculturalism. They should get out more.
Phillip Mahnken, Queensland, Australia

June 5, 2007 at 2:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )