Lets recognise the historical reasons for english being dominant
and, as one e-mail stated, move on using that knowledge so that, if
English is the universal language, at least its limitations etc are
recognised.
However, to include all sorts of languages to communicate now is as
elitist etc as is the dominance of anglo-work.
Academia is full of people travelling
here, there and everywhere. Often academics have backgrounds
(middle-class) that promoted
the learning of languages and experiencing of 'far away' places on family
holidays etc, whether they are from Britain or elsewhere in the world. And
great - I'm pleased for them.
However, meanwhile some of us haven't had that. I make no apologies to say
that my experiences are limited to Britain and
one trip abroad through circumstance, finances and a disrupted
education.
Often I have felt coming from a 'less well-off' background a
part of this anglo-centric behaviour. 'Just why haven't you travelled and
learnt another language like us' ? - Are you elitist !? Why don't you join
in ?? Not why can't you join in - assumptions, assumptions, like the rest
of the world is full of anglo writing academics.
I feel to start introducing different languages now would be unfair to
many people originally left out of academia and now being included -
some disabled people in particular who have had a raw deal in terms of
travel and education, for example.
However, to improve the chances for all people to learn
another language is a cool idea and i think that is slowly coming about
- but that really is for future generations.
A start can be made, but it has to be acknowledged that some of us won't
be 'there' to join in as fully as we might like and as long as their are
class dimensions some people in the future will be left out too, like with
IT.
I would love to see references from other countries in English journals as
I'm sure those in other countries like to know what is going on elsewhere
in the world. I guess the simple and more egalatarian answer is more
transalation on all sides. If something is lost in the
translation then c'est la vie - that's life !
Having been a steward of a college residence that has more than thirteen
different nationalities English has been the norm. But we have all tried
to learn a little bit of each language. Again, the fact that
these people are in London studying certainly indicates to me their
well-off backgrounds to be able to know other languages so well. And this
is often indicated when they talk about their lives and the expensive
language courses they go on when here. And the same with many of my
English peers who are well versed in languages and travelling.
However, while I admire their ability to study at postgrad level in
different
subjects in English, they have to acknowledge that my ignorance of other
languages is not some heartfelt patriotic anglo-centric elitist disregard
for other nationalities.
Therefore, maybe the contemporary issue is not simply of an
anglo-centric nature but also one of class and access to resources like
Keith and David have indicated ?
One thing that I have noticed is that humour has often been
universal especially when trying to make sense of each other.
And 'don my cap' there's something to be learnt from that.
Glenn Smith.
On Thu, 2 Jul 1998, keith halfacree wrote:
> > PS: Isn't knowing many other languages often simply a mark of an elitist
> > education? What about those who start from a lower level of knowledge in
> > the first place? More provocations...
> >
> > David Wood
> > PhD Student ('The Rural Peace Dividend')
>
> I couldn't agree more. Indeed, in following this thread I am
> thinking yet again about how those who shout loudest about elitism
> etc are often the most elitist, drawing as they do on the reserves of
> self-confidence and surety of purpose that almost always comes from
> the material and emotional security that what we might term `lites'
> have...
> Just a thought, not a provocation!
>
> keith
>
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