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[Opinions] Re: Out of interest....
in reply to a message by Ailis
There isn't much of a need in the US to learn other languages. I majored in Russian and spent a summer in Moscow. My biggest problem there was that once people hear your accent, they automatically start speaking English. How can I learn their language if the native speakers won't use it with me when I use it. Also, there's a difference between Spanish and Norwegian. Most people can say Spanish names the way they should be said, probably because there are so many Mexican (Hispanic) immigrants and a neghboring country speaks it. As for Norwegian, not many people know it here. I can see how they can be confused. I hate when they pronounce the j too.
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There seems to be a general ignorance of other languages and cultures in America which is embarrassing. Even if you don't study the language you'd think you would at least pick up on a few things (i.e. do not order a "kay-sa-dill-ah"). But yeah the foreign language programs in US public schools are severely lacking. I had to do three years of French 1 because each school I transferred to wouldn't accept the fact that I might already be able to say 'banana' in French. Sigh.
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