http://www.samachar.com/showurl.htm?rurl=http://headlines.sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14115307&headline=Americans~to~learn~Hindi~for~prosperity


"The US administration has identified Hindi as one of the "critical need" foreign languages that Americans should learn to further strengthen national security and prosperity in the 21st century. "

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Orginally posted by desi in ottawa

http://www.samachar.com/showurl.htm?rurl=http://headlines.sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14115307&headline=Americans~to~learn~Hindi~for~prosperity


"The US administration has identified Hindi as one of the "critical need" foreign languages that Americans should learn to further strengthen national security and prosperity in the 21st century. "

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DIO,

Interesting. I read it to say that America now needs Foreign language knowledge for 'national security' purposes while here (in Canada) I've always understood being bilingual or multilingual increases one's chances for job opportunities and increasing understanding of the diverse groups of people that have settled here.

Having a second language enhances one's understanding of their own and other cultures, and increases creativity and problem solving ability. It can also enhance global communication and the economy (from Internet research I have done)

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morning_rain,

Very well said. Agree 100%.

I had a chance to learn Spanish (paid by the employer) while working in Texas. I was arrogant and blew the opportunity. I learnt my lesson and started learning French in Canada.

Doctors in major hospitals in Mumbai learnt to speak Arabic to deal with their rich clients from Middle East.

Me being a south indian, seen enough opposition from southies to learn Hindi. Too bad. Thanks to my mom, I learnt some Hindi at least I can understand and speak and write some. That helpes me a lot.

DIO

DiO

What south indian languages do you speak?


I took french in school (until grade 10) and can speak very basic french(though I really want to continue taking classes again now).. We spoke Punjabi at home growing up, learnt Hindi from watching movies.

I enjoy languages though I have picked up a few words in Bengali, and Telugu.

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Tamil and Kannada with smuttering of Telugu. Though spent a year in Hyderabad, refused to learn Telugu (arrogance, what else) since I could get by Hindi. Learning French is getting really tough (blame the age). My kids have a good laugh when I say something in French. They can pick up quickier than me.

DIO

I havent taken french for 15 years.. but I think its pretty easy (compared to spanish anyway).

I think kids like to laugh at their parents no matter what... its a generation gap thing

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