Comments on: The Importance of a Second Language http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/ Just putting it out there... Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:02:59 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: noopa http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1328 noopa Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:12:17 +0000 http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1328 YOU NEED BETTER INFO! PEOPLE AT SCHOOLS R TRYING TO FIND GOOD IINFORMATION AND YOU DON'T HAVE ENOGH! YOU NEED BETTER INFO! PEOPLE AT SCHOOLS R TRYING TO FIND GOOD IINFORMATION AND YOU DON’T HAVE ENOGH!

]]> By: therealsouthkorea http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1198 therealsouthkorea Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:48:09 +0000 http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1198 Yes, having an additional cultural understanding, if not many more cultural perspectives is very important in today's globalized & interconnected world, but for us who are linguistically challenged, I can't always say it helps. I mean, I'd love to have a 2nd or 3rd language in my repertoire, but it's tough. I've tried for the past 36 years off and on & actually am living in the country I'd love to learn the language, but fail to...despite the 130 IQ, I just can't. I am trying for my boys' sakes though to raise them bi-culturally for their future. I admire and think people who have many cultural understandings are usually "better people" in many ways. However, it doesn't discount us who are challenged with languages. ;) Good post... Yes, having an additional cultural understanding, if not many more cultural perspectives is very important in today’s globalized & interconnected world, but for us who are linguistically challenged, I can’t always say it helps. I mean, I’d love to have a 2nd or 3rd language in my repertoire, but it’s tough. I’ve tried for the past 36 years off and on & actually am living in the country I’d love to learn the language, but fail to…despite the 130 IQ, I just can’t. I am trying for my boys’ sakes though to raise them bi-culturally for their future. I admire and think people who have many cultural understandings are usually “better people” in many ways. However, it doesn’t discount us who are challenged with languages. ;)

Good post…

]]> By: dovelove http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1197 dovelove Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:09:40 +0000 http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1197 I agree. I'd like to learn Spanish, because there are a lot of Spanish-speaking people in this area. So much so that it's a big plus to have it on one's resume here...it may get to a point where it's a absolute must. After learning Spanish, I'd like to learn French (have always loved that language). I just never seem to have the time to get started, and I'm still researching for the best and most cost/time efficient way to learn other languages. I agree. I’d like to learn Spanish, because there are a lot of Spanish-speaking people in this area. So much so that it’s a big plus to have it on one’s resume here…it may get to a point where it’s a absolute must. After learning Spanish, I’d like to learn French (have always loved that language). I just never seem to have the time to get started, and I’m still researching for the best and most cost/time efficient way to learn other languages.

]]> By: justinhahn http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1196 justinhahn Sun, 28 Oct 2007 13:23:31 +0000 http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1196 the best part of not knowing what's being said, is that i can go off into my own little world. there's something great about a solipsistic existence. and speaking only one language — well, that's almost like that. americans speak one language (aside from those latins, those indians, and those Hawaiians), and maybe that's a good thing. the best part of not knowing what’s being said, is that i can go off into my own little world. there’s something great about a solipsistic existence. and speaking only one language — well, that’s almost like that. americans speak one language (aside from those latins, those indians, and those Hawaiians), and maybe that’s a good thing.

]]> By: lookingreflection http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1195 lookingreflection Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:03:48 +0000 http://mainasukhumvit.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-importance-of-a-second-language/#comment-1195 I think both comments are well thought out. I also think language is a door to a new culture therefore, more attempt you have in foreign language, more open minded you become toward something foreign. Anyway, when I read this sentence, '...I am sure we have all witnessed the loud American tourist shouting at a foreigner abroad. (Note: increasing volume does not necessarily increase comprehension)' I had to laugh since I've witness them frequently in asia & europe. To be fair, I've seen many non-american travellers done that, too. I'm sure it's out of a frustration but, I thought it was rude when a drunken American tourist cursing out in English loud at a bar for no good reason at the Narita airport or just yelling in English as if the citizens of foreign countries are too dumb not to be able to understand English. I remember keep asking to tone down the voice volume to my brother's friend who was visiting Korea.(I did like him and they had a great time in Korea btw.) He also asked to translate every single word he heard in the street which none of us could since we were not a hired interpters. Anyway, it's frustrating not being able to understand every noise you hear in foreign countries but, it also gives an opportunity to learn body language and observing people's hidden expression rather than language itself. When I walked around in Barcelona without understanding nor speaking any Spanish(they hardly spoke English) in 2000, I really enjoyed it and was able to observe behavior intensely. I think both comments are well thought out.

I also think language is a door to a new culture therefore, more attempt you have in foreign language, more open minded you become toward something foreign.

Anyway, when I read this sentence,

‘…I am sure we have all witnessed the loud American tourist shouting at a foreigner abroad. (Note: increasing volume does not necessarily increase comprehension)’

I had to laugh since I’ve witness them frequently in asia & europe. To be fair, I’ve seen many non-american travellers done that, too. I’m sure it’s out of a frustration but, I thought it was rude when a drunken American tourist cursing out in English loud at a bar for no good reason at the Narita airport or just yelling in English as if the citizens of foreign countries are too dumb not to be able to understand English.

I remember keep asking to tone down the voice volume to my brother’s friend who was visiting Korea.(I did like him and they had a great time in Korea btw.) He also asked to translate every single word he heard in the street which none of us could since we were not a hired interpters. Anyway, it’s frustrating not being able to understand every noise you hear in foreign countries but, it also gives an opportunity to learn body language and observing people’s hidden expression rather than language itself.

When I walked around in Barcelona without understanding nor speaking any Spanish(they hardly spoke English) in 2000, I really enjoyed it and was able to observe behavior intensely.

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