On Fri, 2003-01-10 at 00:47, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Agreed, Anne.  Being American, I'm equally amazed that many who
> speak something other than english as a primary language can
> converse in english so much better than many who are raised with
> it as their only language.  Those who can - and do - show such
> desire to be "global" have my deepest respect and admiration...
> and envy *g*.
> 
> joe

Having been raised in Detroit (don't run) and also having lived in both
Miami and Texas - having the ability to at least understand another
language has been a benefit as most Americans don't have a clue, nor do
they do anything with "second language" they take in HS - IF they take a
second language.

Nowadays here in Australia, it's so much easier to get the kids to take
another language in primary - and it's something you take with you all
your life - IF you learn the language well enough.

My daughter is going to take French (God knows why - yech) and my son is
going to take either German, Russian or Japanese - still can't make up
his mind, but there is a cool show on our public broadcasting that is a
Japanese language show for kiddies (and actually it's quite fun and
cool)...

...far cry from Sesame Street with the bits'n'bobs of Espanol or
Francais...

Meanwhile, I think every human should know at least 2 languages. My
migration agent is FLUENT in 9 language - FLUENT - and he's learning
more all the time - currently he's working on Malaysian...

Ok...had my morning rant...cheers!

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Fri Jan 10 06:50:00 EST 2003
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Mulder: If you detect a hint of impatience in Agent Scully's
        voice, that's because the FBI's study also found that
        in most cases like the McMartin Pre-school trial,
        witnesses were often prompted in their statements by
        rumours of stories that were being circulated, and that
        there was in fact nothing to support them.
Det. White: How do you explain the burning coffin at the funeral?
Mulder: Don't ask me!

        "The X-Files: Syzygy"

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