by Josephine Meade

Created on: March 19, 2007   Last Updated: August 25, 2009

How many foreign languages must we speak in today's world

Once upon a time a little girl from Sicily moved to the United States. That little girl could only count to ten in English. She knew no other words. However, a month after she arrived, she was required to attend the local elementary school. Frightened and wide-eyed, she realized that she understood nothing of the strange language that everyone in class was speaking.

Besides fear, she felt embarrassment. She could not speak, she looked and dressed differently and she wished she was back in her small corner of the world in Sicily.

That little girl was me. But today as I look back I can say that it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I got thrown into the lions den and was forced to fight my way out. I had to learn English and I learned it well. As I grew up, I realized the importance of knowing several languages. I spoke Sicilian (which is different from Italian), Italian, Spanish and un petite peu of French. I was fascinated by foreign cultures, peoples and their languages. I loved hearing and understanding the different nuances in each language and also the similarities. In my travels overseas, especially the Mediterranean countries, I had an assurance that I could understand the people of the lands, their heartbeat, the reasons for their dislikes and likes, their passions. Being able to speak their language opened doors for me not opened to other foreigners traveling through these countries. It gave me an understanding that others lacked.

I have taught Italian and Spanish to many students. But more than the language itself, I tried to give my students the understanding that their language of study could open unlimited possibilities for them throughout their life. Perhaps the hand of providence would guide them to reach out and help people in need who could not speak English. Perhaps their knowledge of a foreign language could open doors for better understanding between two cultures. What a difference one person can make if he or she would just learn another's language!

In other countries, the study of foreign languages is a priority. They seem to understand that the world is getting smaller, no longer separated by physical boundaries. Today we live in a world that has no boundaries because of the Internet. So, as citizens of the U.S., can we afford not to learn at least one foreign language? Let's better understand other cultures and let's learn to speak their languages.

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