New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-25
1AnGrAGEs N TIE SCHOOLS.

The question Of the teaching OF modern IAN
guages n the public schools is bound to De
much vexed one. It is largely matter OF senu-
ment, and OF one of the most powerful ana en-
during sentiments known TO man There are
few things TO which men cling more tenaclonsiy
than TO their mother tongues, and Few WHICH
tl,av are more prone to criticise and ridicule
than alien speech It was alien speech that
caused the Greeks Of old TO call all ether men
barbarians So our citizens of foreign birth
naturally desire their languages to be taught III
our schools so that their children may learn
them, and they are Indifferent If not actually
| opposed TO the teaching Of any other Foreign
/ tongues than their own. So, too those whose
| liberal culture has made them familiar with ana
| fond Of some foreign language and its Htera-
! ture naturally favor the teaching or thaL iah-
guage above all others.
| In the ARRANGEMENT Of courses of study for
the pubIic schools. however, not sentiment nor
personal prediction. but considerations OF
pra ctcal utility should prevail II it is desirable
to teach one or mere foreign languages the seiec-
lion should be made on the ground of the great
est usefulness to the greatest number. At pres
ent the rivalry is chiefly between French ana
German. Both are useful and worthy of study;
but if one IS to have preference over the other
the choice should be made on the most practlcaI
grounds 1t is not question or Liberal culture
for that is something the common schools 90
not and cannot give It is not question OF the
language of diplomacy or Of the language OF
me4apbvsics It is not a question Of reading
MoIiere or Goethe in the original 1t is queS-
ton as TO which language will best serve the
needs of everyday life in Industry and trade
and commerce. That language Is TO ne pre-
ferred which is most widely used, or which the
student will have occasion most to use and 10
understand in his business and In his travels
and which, moreover, is most likely in the next
score of years 70 grow in extent of use and in
importance
From such points of view another language
than these two rivals seems to have an uncom-
monty strong claim upon attention-that is. the
SPANISH. Ii is used by many more people in the
world than French. and by nearly as many as
German In lands under the sovereignty Of the
United States If is used by many more than both
those Others put together. 1t Is moreover the Ian
guaCe of nearly score Of nations at the south
of Us with which we ought to cultivate close re-
Iations in travel, commerce and diplomacy. IL
also is a growing language and evidently is
destined for generations to come 10 be one OF
the three or four foremost in the civilized world
The study of it is well calculated to promote
the national welfare and greatly to enlarge the
opportunities of those who master II to win sue
cess in the commercial and industrial world
But, however much or little any or all Of these
foreign languages may be taught by far the
most important thing is TO teach thoroughly and
accurately cur own native English That is,
after all, the most widely used language In the
civilized world, and it is gaining ground far
more rapidly than any other. It is more impor
tant for foreigners coming hither to learn it
well be considered reproach to us that with
all the propaganda for the extension Of the
study Of foreign languages here so little is be-
Ing done to extend the study of English In for
eign lands. At any rate, il would be an intoler-
able reproach 10 Us If we neglected the teach
ing Of English in our public schools. or endured
the slovenly and inefficient teaching of It while
promoting the study of foreign tongues. 1t Will
not do to say in paraphrase Of Dogberry that