The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-06-23
WHY NOT LEARN
RUSSIAN? IS QUESTION
Americans Will New Many Who
Can Speak Slay.

Washington. June 2O.-"Why not
learn Russian: 1t isn't nearly so
difficult as is popularity supposed,
and America needs for the war to-
day and the commercial recon-
structior after the war large num-
Der OF intelligent citizens who can
use the language.
Question, suggestion and patriot
ic reasoning are made on the re-
sponsibility OF the United States
bureau of education, on the staff Of
which DR.. Glen Levin Swiggett has
been conducting expert investiga-
ton into the possibility of equipping
larger numbers of Americans with
languages and information that will
fit then to sustain and rebuild the
fabric of international relationship
in the future.
Doctor Swiggett says that all the
assumption OF difficulty comes be-
cause inquirers are normally con-
fronted with the Russian alphabet
and its Greek letters lore. He in
Inmates that the absorption of this
has been altogeather too difficult
for Russians themselves, because
he cies the fact that hardly four
per cent of the Russian millions
ever got to the point of going to
school TO learn their own language.
They can all talk it, though.
Proper Method.
A proper method OF acquiring
the language as Doctor Swiggett
outlines it, involves only the simple
process of learning a few of the
simpler words and phrases that
mainstay daily intercourse and
thereafter absorbing some more.
By dint of practice and sound
memory, which he considers no
more difficult of exercise than is
the American ear for the latest
popular song, a modest Russian vo-
cabulary can be acquired. Then if
it is desired, the books can be con-
suited and an ambitious young
American can do more with the
language than many Russians. Aft
erward he would have career
Yet in spite of this ease, Doctor
5wiggett finds that only ten cduca
ional institutions in he United
states attempt to teach Russian,
md only three of those have courses
hat are designed to qualify stu
lents in the spoken language.
How different the story reads
or England" he says. "Of II
universities reported, nine teach
Russian. Of II schools of the type
# Eton, Rugby and Harrow, ten
ffer it, and Of IS city school sys-
ems, all maintain classes.
Way Through Commerce.
Il have no wish to make brief
or the study of Russian for any
urpoSe other than the establish
lent OF ways and means whereby
ur nation may come to know mod
rn Russian better, to create way
Or the coming exchange of ideas,
nd wares thar must be mutually
elpful. That way lies through
exercised on higher
lane than the mere barter OF prod
cts, for immediate and therefore
,lfish gain.
81 wish to call attention to Rus
as great need for engineers. Our
schools should have their
yes on the main market OF that
)untry. While related only indi-
city to commerce. constructive
lgineering work is yet great
numerical asset for a nation. and
e should endcavor to do our share
meeting Russia's need in this re
ect.
Let us now urge the immediate
udy OF Russian for comercial pur
,ses. Our nation has a peculiar
essagc for Russia. and possesses
ereby a distinct advantage. This
essage can be delivered best by
II commercial representatives. We y
all need in consequence a large S