Most Americans would be right. English IS the language of the world.
Ironically, it was American arrogance that forced other nations to adopt
English as the language of international business. Why should Americans
apologize for being successful? If you saw something working right, you
would copy it, and integrate it into whatever context that thing belonged.
No one is forced to do business with Americans. They do so because they
choose to do so. So, if an American company makes a product, and there
exist lists of people exchanging ideas concerning that product, wouldn't
it make sense that the list would be written in English?
At the turn of the century, all of the best science was being done in a
small country called Germany. To be a good scientist, one had to be able
to read and write German. The international language of diplomacy used to
be French. When a group of people start doing something good and useful,
others want to learn and copy and understand and take part in those
endeavors. America is very good at business and others want to learn from
our advances. So, what's wrong with them also learning our language? By
the way, if everyone spoke the same language, it would be one less
difference to focus on and one less reason to engage in conflict.
-eric
On Tue, 9 Nov 1999, Lee, Dana-Renee wrote:
!I agree with Rafi and too suggest Dean raise his head out of the fog and
!take a good look around. Most Americans would like to believe English is
!the language of the world but, it is only one of several used and in common
!usage around the world. Dean, would you have preferred they send a message
!in French or German, these too are used commonly around the world just as
!much as English. By the way, it is attitudes like yours that have gotten
!Americans the title of "The Ugly American". Patents with others is a virtue
!and is looked apron as a positive trait in a person.
!
!Yours Truly,
!Renee Lee
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