National Security Language Initiative

[Anthea Fraser Gupta]

"Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Persian, Hindi, and Central Asian languages."

"An essential component of U.S. national security in the post-9/11 
world is the ability to engage foreign governments and peoples, 
especially in critical regions, to encourage reform, promote 
understanding, convey respect for other cultures and provide an 
opportunity to learn more about our country and its citizens."

Hm. The aim of learning languages is to promote change in other cultures
and 'convey respect' [for them?], and help them to learn about the US.
Nothing about understanding the cultures.

This is a geographically relatively continguous group reflecting the
current region of major US interests. But why Hindi and not Urdu as well
(are there already plenty of Urdu specialists?)? Arabic and
Persian/Farsi but not Turkish?

Anthea


*     *     *     *     *
Anthea Fraser Gupta (Dr)
School of English, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT
<www.leeds.ac.uk/english/staff/afg>
NB: Reply to a.f.gupta at leeds.ac.uk
*     *     *     *     *