Although all it took to get the 'cultured' people who didnt want to go to war in the middle east, was electing a 'cultured' president who now talks them into it and they easily changed. So maybe its just a lost cause. Although I dont really believe that and actually I want to someday teach linguistics in high schools cuz i have the same theory as you that it will create more understanding. And thats probably why they dont already.
I think the leaders knowing languages, doesnt indicate much. But the people as a whole knowing more languages and open to more cultures, would prevent being able to demonize other cultures and shape public opinion into wanting going to war. Also its not so much just the language, but understanding the culture. Basically not being able to dehumanize others.
No, that's not correct. Let's look at the wars our country has been in. The American Revolution and the American Civil War were both cases of native English speakers fighting each other. Roosevelt spoke German in WWII. In Korea and Vietnam, both cases had native speakers fighting while we backed one side. In Libya both sides spoke Arabic and we backed one side. In the Arab world, we also support Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.
I agree, but its better than mono-lingualism any day.
Even though he knows only European languages, he would have learnt from his studies and travels that people/countries think differently and behave differently, even when they are as closely related as European people/countries.
These cannot be bad qualities for a politician, whether or not you believe in their policies.
Moses, here's a trivia question: Which US President and his wife learned Chinese while working in China, and sometimes spoke to each other in Chinese when they wanted their conversation to be private?
I totally agree with you. There's a couple of multilingual presidents Thomas Jefferson: French,Greek, Italian, Latin and Spanish. Theodore Roosevelt French and German.
@EscapeMonotony, I think what Laoshu was trying to say is when you lack foreign language skills you can not understand another person's intention behind using a certain word, phrase or expression. And that can create communication problems where with lack of language knowledge you can interprete someone's message to you to be more hostile than they really meant to express themselves.
@EscapeMonotony, for instance the United States has a big issue with the Middle-east using the word "Jihad" which in the most simplistic term it means "war or crusade" when translated in English. But in Arabic the word "Jihad" could mean war/crusade, but it also has several other meaning less hostile depending on the context on how the word is use. So you hear the word "Jihad" and you think "Oh, man, the Arabs would like to kick my ass and start a war." but....
@EscapeMonotony, to the Arabs it could mean "Damn, those Americans are politically annoying, we must set them straight on some things and put them in their rightful place", but it doesn't mean that they necessarily want to go to war with you. Oppose you, yes. Actually war? Maybe, or maybe not depending on speech CONTEXT. But if you just simply think oh, jihad means "war" and nothing but "war" due to not understanding Arabic, then it can cause communication problems for sure and a war.
@TheSeductiveArts Conflict between the two sides has absolutely nothing to do with a language barrier or misunderstanding of the use of certain words, but rather a very strong hate of the US for interfering where they don't belong. So again, the cause of a war, especially in the 21st century, will not be because of a language issue.
@EscapeMonotony You are taking isolated events and assuming that the failed outcome somehow disproves a present element in the event when it is in other events which succeed. Being a polyglot might not prevent all confrontation or war, but one could also make the claim that all other wars which were between people of different languages were because of misunderstandings. The point is being a polyglot is just another advantage and tool for a president. Also polyglots score higher in IQ tests.
@Llavez Perhaps you should watch the video. Moses asked for opinions concerning whether or not leaders knowing other languages would result in less wars, peace and understanding.
My response and opinion was given along with a disproving example of such. If you'd like provide an example where people took up arms because of miscommunication then feel free. It certainly wouldn't be an example from recent times if you were able to find one at all.
@EscapeMonotony Indeed, understanding other languages doesn't help prevent wars to any greater extent. But it's a means of getting closer in contact with people of other cultures. For example, I've found it much easier to make business agreements with French people speaking in French; you're greeted with more goodwill when you speak to them in their own language.And Hitler and Mussolini waged wars because they wanted more power - different languages wouldn't have prevented it.
@JohanRegus12 Why do people feel the need to keep giving me their input on my comment? Obviously people are more welcoming if someone has taken the time to try and learn their native tongue, but that was not the question Moses asked, so that wasn't the answer I gave. The history of the world constantly shows that wars are fought for power, territory, religion and "stuff". Certainly never because of miscommunication and that was why I gave the answer that I gave.
Needs to be a prerequisite. We have so many douche bags who serve overseas who only know English. The President above all people should speak other languages.
@veemon I think that was the ex-PM... & I'm not sure, but I think he managed to alienate some Chinese folks - i.e: knowing the language doesn't necessarily mean much more cultural/social intelligence.
hear that Romney was a missionary in France and learned French, and Huntsman speaks mandarin. I wouldn't vote for either though.
Apparently that Newt guy ran an attack ad on Romney, trying to make it sound like being able to speak French was a bad thing, I can't believe anybody would do that but there you go.
I think our leaders should learn other languages simply as a matter of professionalism, outside the english speaking world it's common for leaders to have a little bit of other languages.
I think there would be nice people because when you learn a language, you're also learning the culture and meeting people. You would be less inclined to bomb people that you've learned about and made friends with.
For me, one of the most important parts about learning languages is learning the language culture, because that will allow you to see "their world" (the world the speakers watch, and yes, sometimes is not the same you see, even if you think I'm crazy). If a president devotes himself to learn not only languages but their culture, I think, there would be a good man ruling the country.
wars have nothing to do with language ... a lot of times wars are fought between people of the same culture or very close cultures. I think learning languages and knowing about different cultures will help get individuals to understand and be more accepting of others, but to cause less wars? i don't think so
Our deputy Prime Minister in the UK speaks 5 languages, English, of course, Dutch from his mother who is from the Netherlands, Spanish, his wife is from Spain, German and French.
When a student he studied in Belgium, Austria, Germany and the USA and before entering politics worked in Belgium and Hungary.
No wonder he has been reported as saying "There is not a shread of racism in me,,, " I can understand why. Learning languages allows people to become more tolerant and understanding..
@MrScotchpie, But let's not be fooled. He is quite Eurocentric, which when dealing with non-Europeans it can still be quite problematic, since the whole world is not built on just traveling around Europe and speaking European languages. With Europeans overall having the same general mindset and philosophy it's not the same as an European knowing a European language or two, then knowing and living in Asia, Africa, Central or South America that is more impressive in signs of toleration.
On the Page F30 blog, in his Jan 1st post, the blogger says that in an interview Obama regrets that he never learned Spanish or to play a musical insrument.
In the Jan 8th Republican debate, Huntsman, a former ambassador to China, said of Romney in Mandarin that "he doesn't really understand the situation."
a funny thing, Angela Merkel the Chancellor of Germany speaks flutly russian becuase she learned russian since childhood, and former president Putin of Russia speaks fluently german becuase he was working as an agent in east germany. Now I wonder in what language they speak when they have meetings?
1) How many languages does Obama actually speak? Some ultraconservatives say he must be dangerous because he knows some Arabic. Which would mean that you and I are also dangerous.
2) War can be about mutual misunderstanding. But some wars are simply about conflicting ideologies or competing economies. The Spanish Civil War had little to do with language. The American Civil War even less so.
@alkantre From what I gathered Obama is actually monolingual save from the Indonesian phrases he knows. It is possible for him to know some Arabic too. People say he knows Arabic because of his middle name Hussein, but that would be like if my middle name was Wielhiem and people started accusing me of knowing German. I believe his father gave him that middle name, but I'm not certain.
@laoshu505000 if you like travelling, you should type "j'irais dormir chez vous" in youtube and you'll see a French reporter going in weird areas and speaking to people in a lot of countries (I really love this cultural open-mindness), so he went to Japan, Marocco, Finland, EAU, South Korea, China, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Mexico etc etc I learnt a lot by wathcing those vids, tell me how you find it ! Maybe make a video about it if you like the concept!
Although all it took to get the 'cultured' people who didnt want to go to war in the middle east, was electing a 'cultured' president who now talks them into it and they easily changed. So maybe its just a lost cause. Although I dont really believe that and actually I want to someday teach linguistics in high schools cuz i have the same theory as you that it will create more understanding. And thats probably why they dont already.
punchofdeath09 2 weeks ago
I think the leaders knowing languages, doesnt indicate much. But the people as a whole knowing more languages and open to more cultures, would prevent being able to demonize other cultures and shape public opinion into wanting going to war. Also its not so much just the language, but understanding the culture. Basically not being able to dehumanize others.
punchofdeath09 2 weeks ago
No, that's not correct. Let's look at the wars our country has been in. The American Revolution and the American Civil War were both cases of native English speakers fighting each other. Roosevelt spoke German in WWII. In Korea and Vietnam, both cases had native speakers fighting while we backed one side. In Libya both sides spoke Arabic and we backed one side. In the Arab world, we also support Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.
LearningFrenchNow 1 month ago
@TheSeductiveArts
I agree, but its better than mono-lingualism any day.
Even though he knows only European languages, he would have learnt from his studies and travels that people/countries think differently and behave differently, even when they are as closely related as European people/countries.
These cannot be bad qualities for a politician, whether or not you believe in their policies.
MrScotchpie 1 month ago
Moses, here's a trivia question: Which US President and his wife learned Chinese while working in China, and sometimes spoke to each other in Chinese when they wanted their conversation to be private?
steve4nlanguage 1 month ago
@steve4nlanguage not so sure about that one.
laoshu505000 1 month ago
@laoshu505000 Reportedly it was Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou.
steve4nlanguage 1 month ago
@steve4nlanguage was it nixon?
yele009 1 month ago
@yele009 Good guess. It was Herbert Hoover and his wife.
steve4nlanguage 1 month ago
@steve4nlanguage tell me tell me tell me tell me tell me
MyWorldOfBlocks 1 month ago
@MyWorldOfBlocks Herbert Hoover and his wife.
steve4nlanguage 1 month ago
@steve4nlanguage think it was the roosevelts (FDR)
nchung69 1 month ago
Comment removed
steve4nlanguage 1 month ago
I totally agree with you. There's a couple of multilingual presidents Thomas Jefferson: French,Greek, Italian, Latin and Spanish. Theodore Roosevelt French and German.
guitarmessiah95 1 month ago
You seem to completely neglect the fact that knowing a foreign language could aid a nation's leader in collaborating on a war with another leader.
Mussolini spoke with Hitler in German. How well did that understanding turn out? He also knew opposition languages such as French and English.
It seems foolish to draw the conclusion that speaking another country's language would prevent wars.
EscapeMonotony 1 month ago in playlist About languages in General 2 4
@EscapeMonotony I see what you're saying. You do have a point. Thanks for viewing and commenting.
laoshu505000 1 month ago 3
@EscapeMonotony, I think what Laoshu was trying to say is when you lack foreign language skills you can not understand another person's intention behind using a certain word, phrase or expression. And that can create communication problems where with lack of language knowledge you can interprete someone's message to you to be more hostile than they really meant to express themselves.
TheSeductiveArts 1 month ago in playlist About languages in General 2
@EscapeMonotony, for instance the United States has a big issue with the Middle-east using the word "Jihad" which in the most simplistic term it means "war or crusade" when translated in English. But in Arabic the word "Jihad" could mean war/crusade, but it also has several other meaning less hostile depending on the context on how the word is use. So you hear the word "Jihad" and you think "Oh, man, the Arabs would like to kick my ass and start a war." but....
TheSeductiveArts 1 month ago in playlist About languages in General 2
@EscapeMonotony, to the Arabs it could mean "Damn, those Americans are politically annoying, we must set them straight on some things and put them in their rightful place", but it doesn't mean that they necessarily want to go to war with you. Oppose you, yes. Actually war? Maybe, or maybe not depending on speech CONTEXT. But if you just simply think oh, jihad means "war" and nothing but "war" due to not understanding Arabic, then it can cause communication problems for sure and a war.
TheSeductiveArts 1 month ago in playlist About languages in General 2
@TheSeductiveArts Conflict between the two sides has absolutely nothing to do with a language barrier or misunderstanding of the use of certain words, but rather a very strong hate of the US for interfering where they don't belong. So again, the cause of a war, especially in the 21st century, will not be because of a language issue.
EscapeMonotony 1 month ago
@EscapeMonotony You are taking isolated events and assuming that the failed outcome somehow disproves a present element in the event when it is in other events which succeed. Being a polyglot might not prevent all confrontation or war, but one could also make the claim that all other wars which were between people of different languages were because of misunderstandings. The point is being a polyglot is just another advantage and tool for a president. Also polyglots score higher in IQ tests.
Llavez 4 weeks ago in playlist More videos from laoshu505000
@Llavez Perhaps you should watch the video. Moses asked for opinions concerning whether or not leaders knowing other languages would result in less wars, peace and understanding.
My response and opinion was given along with a disproving example of such. If you'd like provide an example where people took up arms because of miscommunication then feel free. It certainly wouldn't be an example from recent times if you were able to find one at all.
EscapeMonotony 3 weeks ago
@EscapeMonotony Indeed, understanding other languages doesn't help prevent wars to any greater extent. But it's a means of getting closer in contact with people of other cultures. For example, I've found it much easier to make business agreements with French people speaking in French; you're greeted with more goodwill when you speak to them in their own language.And Hitler and Mussolini waged wars because they wanted more power - different languages wouldn't have prevented it.
JohanRegus12 3 weeks ago
@JohanRegus12 Why do people feel the need to keep giving me their input on my comment? Obviously people are more welcoming if someone has taken the time to try and learn their native tongue, but that was not the question Moses asked, so that wasn't the answer I gave. The history of the world constantly shows that wars are fought for power, territory, religion and "stuff". Certainly never because of miscommunication and that was why I gave the answer that I gave.
EscapeMonotony 3 weeks ago
Needs to be a prerequisite. We have so many douche bags who serve overseas who only know English. The President above all people should speak other languages.
Iceland1944 1 month ago
too bad huntsman gave up his candidacy :(
A president who can speak chinese might've been very useful in these times
dragonwing4 1 month ago
The current PM of Australia speaks Chinese
veemon 1 month ago
@veemon I think that was the ex-PM... & I'm not sure, but I think he managed to alienate some Chinese folks - i.e: knowing the language doesn't necessarily mean much more cultural/social intelligence.
ZwolfZki 1 month ago
hear that Romney was a missionary in France and learned French, and Huntsman speaks mandarin. I wouldn't vote for either though.
Apparently that Newt guy ran an attack ad on Romney, trying to make it sound like being able to speak French was a bad thing, I can't believe anybody would do that but there you go.
I think our leaders should learn other languages simply as a matter of professionalism, outside the english speaking world it's common for leaders to have a little bit of other languages.
DeoMachina 1 month ago
I think there would be nice people because when you learn a language, you're also learning the culture and meeting people. You would be less inclined to bomb people that you've learned about and made friends with.
coolsteven2 1 month ago
perhaps we should start with the kids and teenagers..
instead of showing what to learn ...show them what's behind
the language that is formed by the people who speak the language
I think that will appreciate the youth and motivate them to get out there
pon00050 1 month ago
@pon00050
I meant
I think that will "interest" the youth and motivate them to get out there
pon00050 1 month ago
@pon00050 I was going to say the same thing about starting with the children and teenagers. I think it's essential when it comes to these things.
laoshu505000 1 month ago
@laoshu505000
I meant to say
I think that will interest the youth and motivate them to get out there
pon00050 1 month ago
I totally agree! All you country leaders, stop wars for goodness' sake and start learning languages instead.
clonecrab 1 month ago
For me, one of the most important parts about learning languages is learning the language culture, because that will allow you to see "their world" (the world the speakers watch, and yes, sometimes is not the same you see, even if you think I'm crazy). If a president devotes himself to learn not only languages but their culture, I think, there would be a good man ruling the country.
doctorsolo 1 month ago
@doctorsolo I totally agree with this.
laoshu505000 1 month ago
Great Idea not every language but a understanding of them.
ThaaMCchannel 1 month ago
You will definitely one day run the country
bbvibrabb 1 month ago
@bbvibrabb I don't think I would want to run a country to be honest. haha
laoshu505000 1 month ago
@laoshu505000
me neither
pon00050 1 month ago
@laoshu505000 I would vote for you!!
GriffenJC 1 month ago
wars have nothing to do with language ... a lot of times wars are fought between people of the same culture or very close cultures. I think learning languages and knowing about different cultures will help get individuals to understand and be more accepting of others, but to cause less wars? i don't think so
AysarAburrub 1 month ago
The reason Romney knows French is that he was a Mormon missionary to France at one point in his life.
MikeCarlBassett 1 month ago
@MikeCarlBassett Same with Huntsman. He was a Mormon missionary in Taiwan.
geragna 1 month ago
Our deputy Prime Minister in the UK speaks 5 languages, English, of course, Dutch from his mother who is from the Netherlands, Spanish, his wife is from Spain, German and French.
When a student he studied in Belgium, Austria, Germany and the USA and before entering politics worked in Belgium and Hungary.
No wonder he has been reported as saying "There is not a shread of racism in me,,, " I can understand why. Learning languages allows people to become more tolerant and understanding..
MrScotchpie 1 month ago 5
@MrScotchpie lol doesn't change my opinion that he's still a knob
twgoldwood 1 month ago
@MrScotchpie, But let's not be fooled. He is quite Eurocentric, which when dealing with non-Europeans it can still be quite problematic, since the whole world is not built on just traveling around Europe and speaking European languages. With Europeans overall having the same general mindset and philosophy it's not the same as an European knowing a European language or two, then knowing and living in Asia, Africa, Central or South America that is more impressive in signs of toleration.
TheSeductiveArts 1 month ago in playlist About languages in General 2
I can't remember which but I think one of the republican presidential candidates claims he speaks chinese(cantonese ..i think).
pon00050 1 month ago
@pon00050 Jon Huntsman was a US ambassador to China, and spoke Mandarin Chinese. He dropped out of the Republican Primaries.
mrmotchmaster 1 month ago
On the Page F30 blog, in his Jan 1st post, the blogger says that in an interview Obama regrets that he never learned Spanish or to play a musical insrument.
In the Jan 8th Republican debate, Huntsman, a former ambassador to China, said of Romney in Mandarin that "he doesn't really understand the situation."
It also appears that Romney knows some French.
MikeCarlBassett 1 month ago
a funny thing, Angela Merkel the Chancellor of Germany speaks flutly russian becuase she learned russian since childhood, and former president Putin of Russia speaks fluently german becuase he was working as an agent in east germany. Now I wonder in what language they speak when they have meetings?
simon472sthlm 1 month ago
1) How many languages does Obama actually speak? Some ultraconservatives say he must be dangerous because he knows some Arabic. Which would mean that you and I are also dangerous.
2) War can be about mutual misunderstanding. But some wars are simply about conflicting ideologies or competing economies. The Spanish Civil War had little to do with language. The American Civil War even less so.
alkantre 1 month ago
@alkantre From what I gathered Obama is actually monolingual save from the Indonesian phrases he knows. It is possible for him to know some Arabic too. People say he knows Arabic because of his middle name Hussein, but that would be like if my middle name was Wielhiem and people started accusing me of knowing German. I believe his father gave him that middle name, but I'm not certain.
needmanshini 1 month ago
@needmanshini Thanks for info. I suspected he really didn't know much Indonesian after all.
alkantre 1 month ago
Hey:). I was wondering, do you like travelling as well as learning languages?
MarikoPon 1 month ago
@MarikoPon I love going over to other countries. I would do it more often if I could.
laoshu505000 1 month ago
@laoshu505000 if you like travelling, you should type "j'irais dormir chez vous" in youtube and you'll see a French reporter going in weird areas and speaking to people in a lot of countries (I really love this cultural open-mindness), so he went to Japan, Marocco, Finland, EAU, South Korea, China, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Mexico etc etc I learnt a lot by wathcing those vids, tell me how you find it ! Maybe make a video about it if you like the concept!
loki2504 1 month ago
@loki2504 Danke. Ich werde bald hier es sehen, mein Freund.
laoshu505000 1 month ago
@laoshu505000 seveceksin eminim !
loki2504 1 month ago
beard^^
PaulyVEVO 1 month ago
Time to shave your bread :P
PaulyVEVO 1 month ago
@PaulyVEVO Good call.
laoshu505000 1 month ago