Sunday, May 1, 2011

Have I been Wasting my Time Learning Foreign Languages?

Have I been Wasting my Time Learning Foreign Languages?
I am an avid language learner but what often frustrates me about the whole thing is that while I can speak all these languages, other people do not bother to learn them at all. They just use English and it is enough. They also concentrate on making money. When they arrive in a foreign country with money and only English, the world is their oyster. They get pretty girls, they parade around with their chests all puffed up and the natives tip-toeing behind them like so many obedient puppies. An average American or a British ( ar any other Anglo ) person abroad is convinced that the whole world wants to be American or British, that they wnat to speak English and that it is only matter of time before they join the US Empire or the British Commonwealth. Here in the Philippines I am the only white guy around who can speak Tagalog. I have not met even one other yet. And the locals cannot even register it. They think it is so unusual that it takes them some five minutes to answer me in Tagalog. All the while other guys are just strutting around with self satisfied looks on their faces and the obsequious people around them cater to their every whim. Dollars come out of their pockets, girls appear, friends appear. Respect goes their way. Another thing is that while I try to learn more languages, the world wants to practice English and finds English-only speakers attractive and interesting while finding those who try to learn the local language awakward and even insulting to them. When I talk to them in thier language, they laugh and answer in English again and again. An English only person does not seem to have so many disadvantages nowadays. When I was in Japan, I saw that blond, wrestler type guys who were as dumb as rocks and who could barely speak normal English, let alone Japanese, got all the girls, made all the friends, while I, who could speak Japanese well, did not. Sometimes I feel I had been wasting a lot of money and time. There are exceptions to the rule, of course- like Argentina, Uruguay and CIS countres have almost no English and whose languages I can speak well. I can communicate with local people there on deep topics. But even in those, I see various Anglos walking around with a swagger, with girls hanging on their arms, and not speaking a word of the local language. "I am an American!!!" "Ahhhhh", say the girls! What makes the whole matter worse is that I often attract criticism and envy from English-only people who try and bring me down and who think that I am a wacko and weirdo. This is my rant!
Languages - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I wouldn't have put "this is my rant" because trolls might report you. (Not me though, as I too am multi-lingual (french / spanish) and understand your frustration. I moved to South TX a few years ago, not only to go back to school but also to be in a part of the U.S. where I could improve on my spanish. As it turns out, a lot of the local Mexicans use spanglish which is quite irritating. Likewise when I speak spanish, a lot of them are in denial that a gringo can speak it better than them, so either they won't answer or will do so in english, which I perceive as reverse discrimination. As frustrating as your situation has been, do what you and I know is right and keep ON speaking those languages. Don't worry about the monolingual anglophones who don't know the difference between "Privet" and "Private", or "Aloha" and "Mahalo". Que le vaya bien, Sayo nara + Paka, Texhabsfan
2 :
It depends on what you value. If you have taken the time to learn a foreign language, the reward lies in having a meaningful conversation in that language. So what if some dumb whores flock to the English-speaking guys, what are they worth to smart people like you? Wouldn't you rather have a quality mate who can share your passion in Tagalog/Spanish/Japanese? I study a foreign language. Most people don't give me a response, but the ones who do make it worthwhile.
3 :
Depends. What was your reason for studying foreign languages? Was it for self improvement, deeper understanding and knowledge of the culture, the satisfaction of being able to do it? Or is it just to impress the girls? From your rant, it seems that getting the girls is your bottom line. If that's the case and it's not happening, then yes, it was a waste of time. But if studying foreign languages meant more to you than this, then it has not been a waste. Personally, I think it's good that you took the time to learn different languages even if you're not able to use them the way you want.
4 :
Here in Norway, everyone can speak English, so it's pretty much a waste for a tourist to learn English, but in other countries, like France, hardly anyone can speak anything but french, so it's very useful to know french when visiting there.
5 :
I don't think that learning languages could be a waste of time in any situation. It just so happens that a lot of people seem to be taking linguists for granted, but in actuality, if you apply your knowledge of many languages in the professional field, it will really help you get far. I for one, know four languages, and it has helped me get promoted or get good jobs. Keep learning... don't mind the people who seem to have been taking that for granted, or the fact that a lot of girls seem to find brawn more attractive than brains. They'll come around eventually. Brains all the way!
6 :
Unless you are --wonderboy--or superspecial I rather doubt that you speak other languages rather well. I know a lot of words and sentences in several languages and I speak 3 of them rather well.I have been learning and speaking them for many years and I'd like to do better.I am now 70 years old.It takes many years of day and night hard work to learn languages.Not everyone has that commitment.
7 :
You can't blame your lack of luck with women on linguistics. If I saw a really hot girl who could not speak a word of English, I would still go for it. Love and attraction will overcome a language barrier. If you are learning languages to meet women you might wanna give that up.
8 :
Know what you mean. I don't see why language should be a waste of time. I receive good and free Spanish lessons because I do an English/Spanish exchange and I do it out of interest for the language. It is hard to know what second, thrid or fourth language to learn when you lived/ed in places like S. Africa where 'natives' speak at least 30 different languages. They themselves don't even know just by looking if someone speaks Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, Venda etc and so, you will find that many groups of black Africans speak English to each other. In my country languages are regional and vary greatly from place to place. Some local people also hate it when a white person speaks their language.


 
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