Languages - Or Lack Thereof

[euro_in_america]

Fri Sep 23, 8:19 PM ET
Half of European citizens speak a second language, according to a European Union survey released Friday.

The poll, conducted in June across Europe, found that tiny Luxembourg had the highest percentage of bilingual citizens, with 99 percent of those questioned saying they could master a conversation in a second language.

Comments

[potnuru]

I think most of the time, people need a strong incentive to learn/do anything (it could be as simple as being *cool*). Of course, necessity is the best incentive possible. English being the world language (and as you pointed out) is needed to be able to do anything at a professional level and hence is taught widely in Europe, Asia, etc. There are even schools in some countries where it is strictly prohibited to use their local language in school premises. Without that *necessity* aspect I wonder how many would have learned english?

I am bilingual, but I am not really sure if I would have learned another language without it being necessary. I think sometimes it is just hard to get out of one's comfort zone, particularly when there are not that many opportunities to practice a foreign language (I found it hard to learn German).

Sorry, I rambled a lot. I landed here from germany_fans community.

[euro_in_america]

So you're American and studied German or vice versa?

[potnuru]

Neither. Grew up in India, but Seattle is my home now. I tried to learn German recently when I visited Germany, but I found it hard (maybe that's just me :)

Can I add you to my friends?

[euro_in_america]

Wow, I never got an email about this comment - sorry. Sure, you can add me and I'll do the same. :)

[aerodrome1]

I'm surprised about Hungary. Magyar is so difficult and unique that I'd think that Hungarians who planned to travel or do Euro-business at all would need a second language. But then, my experiences in Hungary have been with academics, so...

But... only 9% in America. That's sad. Vur' vur' sad.

[euro_in_america]

I think it's about to change too. Especially in former Eastern Bloc countries, the numbers for English in particular but also German as a foreign language should go up significantly in the years to come.

9% in America still is unbelievable to me, seeing how it's a country made up of immigrants. But then I see right here how even
first generation kids are often clueless, not knowing the language of their parents at all or just in bits and pieces. I don't get it.
If I had a child here, I'd certainly make sure they are raised bilingual from day 1.

[aerodrome1]

Well, the classic immigrant idea in the late 19th-early 20th century was to shed the past an shed the Old Country except in things like cuisine... But people should raise their kids with a second language...

[aerodrome1]

Well, the classic immigrant idea in the late 19th-early 20th century was to shed the past an shed the Old Country except in things like cuisine... But people should raise their kids with a second language...It's important to know other languages and know about a wider world.