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Old 07-21-2008, 08:58 AM   #29 (permalink)
abaya
 
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Location: Iceland
Quote:
Originally Posted by matthew330 View Post
and Roachboy, how is only speaking one language a reflection of anything. Were geographically isolated from all the other languages. The necessity isn't there.
Interesting. Since when did we geographically disconnect from both Mexico and Canada (Quebec)?

Being monolingual is a reflection of cultural isolation. It doesn't make you an asshole if you only speak English, but if you insist that English is the only language necessary for functioning in a global arena and that you simply don't need to learn anyone else's language (as long as they learn yours), then yes, you have become both an idiot and an asshole, in my opinion. Not saying that you said that, but plenty of Americans do believe that, whether implicitly or not.

There is also nothing wrong with living as a "humble" American. This country has perpetuated a shitload of wrongs on the rest of the world, and I'm talking about the last 100+ years, not just the last 5. If the US wants to regain its global "moral superiority" (if that ever existed), it could do worse than to cultivate a more accurate reality regarding its history in the world, and exactly how much damage its actions have incurred, and to quit having such a grandiose sense of entitlement.
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