[lg policy] US: Foreign Language Budget Cuts Harm the National Interest

[Harold Schiffman]

Foreign Language Budget Cuts Harm the National Interest


PolicyMic

I was asked to write a short piece on a foreign policy topic of my
interest. As a recent Georgetown College Faculty of Language and
Linguistics graduate who double majored in two modern languages,
recent budget cuts wiping out the already relatively meager foreign
language funding is an issue close to my heart. These cuts not only
deeply sadden me, they also scare me.

Few would deny that our economy needs fixing. This can be literally
seen in some places. For example, there is a billboard visible from
the Chicago blue line soon after the train leaves O’Hare International
Airport. It reads, “Welcome Back. Illinois is still broke.” Clearly,
no one new would seek an opportunity here, so welcome back, and thanks
for the report on the unchanged status quo. There really is no place
like home. I understand that it may be ironic for someone to pay for
this billboard. But, perhaps it is trying to make $2.25 CTA
fare-paying riders contemplate not only where they are going, but
where their state is headed, too. I wish our national government also
made such considerations. I wish I could understand them better.

Foreign language budget reductions, like cutting the Fulbright-Hays
Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Programs, put at risk more than
our nation’s potential to prepare the country’s best and brightest to
win hearts and minds. They hinder (in this case PhD level) students'
ability to conduct original research. In our dynamic and increasingly
globalized world, it is essential we stay current on changes
elsewhere, everywhere. Effective cross-cultural communication and
understanding are key skills needed for business negotiations and
diplomacy alike.

It is common knowledge that we are trending towards an ever increasing
globalized world. With the recent uprisings in the Middle East, I
would have thought our country would be particularly keen on fostering
the development of competent people to guide policy with a knowledge
of history, culture, and language.

In the Far East, too, what will become of future trade and national
interests if fewer Americans are able to truly understand the region
and speak the language? These so-called soft-science skills hold
long-term importance. Throwing funding at these languages early is the
only way to teach students how to speak them.

Slashing funding, by contrast, can leave irreparable gaps. Is this
really what we want as a country for students who say they are
interested in a “critical language”? What is the plan if new,
unforeseen regions, languages, and histories suddenly become relevant?

We used to consider all places on the map. I guess we will just hope
for the best.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/2169/foreign-language-budget-cuts-harm-the-national-interest

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