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 > %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%