On Wed, 22 Jan 2003 "Samuel W. Heywood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>> On Tue, 21 Jan 2003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Richard Menedetter) wrote: >> And IMO english has very much made it to >> an international second language. > > This situation might change after a few more decades. > The growth rate of the Spanish speaking populations > in the world is much greater than the rate seen in > populations which speak English. Soon the Spanish > speaking people will outnumber those who speak English. LANGUAGE .... China is now the country (after the USA) with the second largest total number of English speakers. The 6 official languages of the UN are: English, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic English is the official language of the UN humanitarian efforts and the de facto common language of the NATO forces (partly because most Americans only know English and most [younger] Europeans know it as a second language). Given those two facts, wherever NATO goes or a major humanitarian need arises, there you will find a demand for (and an interest in) English. Within days of entering an area, the high salaries for English translators drives up the market for English speakers. Learning English becomes a major focus for everyone in all levels of society. Given the state of current world political events, I don't think that trend will diminish in the near future. and ARACHNE ... With its potential for interactive learning, easily-modified-text linked to graphics, photos, video, and audio, and the capability for local people to make their own adaptations, Arachne is a phenomenal tool for language learning. Any cultural anthropologist would affirm that: - language is at the heart of any culture, - language learning is necessary to understand the heart of another, - mutual understanding is necessary to displace distrust - and distrust eventually leads to conflict. So, a good way for Arachnids to help build a foundation for peace is to create a language-learning platform that helps people to share their own perspective and learn the perspective of others, using tools that are outside the control of any political-powers who might disagree. Hmmm. Freely sharing information. You won't find that in the M$ business plans. Sounds like a job for the Arachne radicals (with some help from our freeware DOS friends). At least, that's my plan. Bob, the dreamer. - ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com
