Yes, Oui, Ja; languages deserve study
I am deeply disappointed in the Emerald Editorial Board. The editorial on the University’s language requirement is another stellar example of Americans’ growing shortsightedness and ethnocentrism (“No, Non, Nein; In any tongue, ‘no’ to language requirement,” ODE, 01/17).
The point of studying other languages is to engage other cultures and to grow from that experience as a person, not to be able to run a board meeting in another language. Practical world experience is not always the value of education. Look beyond your desires for a degree and a paycheck, and think about your possibilities of growth as a person.
The rest of the world studies our language, and we have a reputation as being rude and insensitive to other cultures. Any idea where this reputation might come from?
Joseph Snider
graduate student
architecture, historic preservation
