The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-03-16
FOREIGN LANGUAGES

An important question for school authorizes Is,
what part shall foreign languages play in the
school curriculum of the future9
1t should be decided solely upon the basis Of The
most good for the American student. We are
becoming more of a world power than ever. Pre-
sumably intercourse between people and those
of other countries will be more and more extern
sive. We must talk to them in their language or
ours If we talk in our language it means that
as rule. we are conversing with persons who
know two languages to our one, and thus have
broader view of the world than have; Tor
there is no denying the fact that knowledge of an
other tongue gives us a closer view OF the race
speaking that tongue than we can get any other
way.
Previous to the world war four languages had
the run of our schools, French German, Span
ish and Italian The war has made German I'M
popular, and it will remain SO for long time;
but French authorities, whose judgment is certain
ly good in such matters are urging the Importance
of keeping up the study of German in the future,
because it is only through knowledge of the
ideas underlying their current literature that we
can Judge of the intentions of that still potentially
dangerous people Besides, it would be carrying
-onr feelings too far to deny that German contains
much that is worth studying for its own sake.
French, however, is, has been, and will con-
4 tnue to be, the most popular foreign language
taught in America Though difficult to master
conversationally, it is quite easy to acquire good
LIZ e tba
of literature, especially prose in all its FORMS there
is nothing else which opens the way to quite SO
much genuine pleasure. French literature is the
delight of the world and those who would enjoy
the most piquant thought on every subject simply
must consult the French writers Besides. it is the
language of diplomacy, is spoken all over the
world, and is indispensable to the traveller or
world-trader.
Next to French, Spanish presents the strongest
claims 1t is spoken throughout South America.
and Mexico. 1t is the common speech in many
american communities Not only is the Spanish
language enriched by much valuable literature, but
II is the vehicle of expression for some of the lead
ing writers Of the world today. while its future is
more promising, perhaps, than any language ex-
cept English.
Italian is of increasing importance also. 1t has
a rich poetic literature running from Dante TO d
Annunzio. and has been used by some of the
worlds greatest scientists, economists and histor-
ians.
Those three languages, closely united by their
common Latin origin, easily acquired, and the
! learning of one is an introduction to the Others
Certainly they should be accessible to the students
|of the public schools in America Whether the
Schools should so farther and include the Scandi-
|hayian tongues. Polish. Greek. Dutch, or other
less used languages. should be matter of local
option. AT all events. il may be safely concluded
hat American schools. and by that term we have
reference especially to those in Florida should not
nest content with any system which does not put