Posted on Nov 16, 2015
Does the ability to speak a foreign language change how you see the world?
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Scientists have been studying how linguistic differences can affect how we view events. It's an interesting study showing how emphasis used in language can affect how one puts emphasis on how he or she sees an event. Do you focus on any particular part of the event? The cause, the action, the after effect?
It makes sense to me that this would be the case and may affect why different countries give different responses to an event or why some link events together and others don't.
Would it be more to our advantage in the political arena, if we were more like the Swiss? The Swiss are amazing in their ability to traverse different languages. Swiss citizens speak four different languages French, German, Italian, and Romansh and they have these same four languages as their national language. Don't worry they're also excellent at English. :-)
http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2015/03/speaking-second-language-may-change-how-you-see-world
It makes sense to me that this would be the case and may affect why different countries give different responses to an event or why some link events together and others don't.
Would it be more to our advantage in the political arena, if we were more like the Swiss? The Swiss are amazing in their ability to traverse different languages. Swiss citizens speak four different languages French, German, Italian, and Romansh and they have these same four languages as their national language. Don't worry they're also excellent at English. :-)
http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2015/03/speaking-second-language-may-change-how-you-see-world
Foreign Language
Policy
Politics
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 21
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Obviously, well that could be debatable , I speak English, or I try to, but I also speak, read and write French. Now that's a chore in itself. I was born here in the US but my grand-parents were from Canada and they only spoke French. So I grew up speaking both French and English. I found it very confusing at times and I really couldn't master either language. I think I spoke Frenglish. Anyway, my ability to speak French really paid off in Vietnam and once I became a NH Trooper, I was an interpreter during our famous "Motorcycle Weekend" as we had many French motorcycle gangs show up for that event. And yes, it definitely gave me a different perspective on life's events. But one thing for sure, I sure know how to swear like hell in both languages. lol
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1LT (Join to see)
Et puis le français a longtemps été une langue importante dans la diplomatie internationale, sans oublier son côté romantique incontesté. Coïncidence?
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Absolutely. I won't talk about concrete Army experience, as I am brand new into the service, but my different background is a real plus when it comes to think outside the box. Currently a sophomore in college, I often bring new ideas to the group, mostly due to my French education (French education system is different than in the U.S., after graduating from high school, I spent one year in law school). There, I learned to have good work ethics and to develop my critical thinking.
I wouldn't be the same if I would have spent my entire life in the United States. In today's Army, diversity is a real advantage.
I wouldn't be the same if I would have spent my entire life in the United States. In today's Army, diversity is a real advantage.
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I do. I think learning and knowing foreign languages broadens one's horizons. I wish we Americans stressed foreign languages more in our education system.
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