Learning Other Languages Could Reduce World Problems - Dr M. But Why Not Start At Home?
Learning and knowing other people's languages could help reduce or solve problems and conflicts of the world today by creating better understanding between peoples, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. According to the former premier, by learning and knowing the language of others, a person would be able to communicate with and understand others better and this probably could help reduce conflicts which led to many killings, as being witnessed in the world today.
Dr Mahathir stressed that it was very important in today's world to learn other languages besides the mother tongue, and it was much more easier to learn various languages today with the advancement of technology. "So, learning various languages will contribute to a much more peaceful world," he added.
He said if children were exposed to various languages at an early age, they could master them because they picked up what was spoken daily.
**** I think this is perhaps the best thing the former PM has said in quite a while. I agree wholeheartedly with him on the subject. However instead of attempting to propagate his idea worldwide, nothing wrong with that though, wouldn't it be nice if the logic could be applied to the situation prevailing here in Malaysia?
After nearly 50 years of independence we, the different ethnic groups, are still so far away from meaningful integration. While admittedly discriminatory government policies have been a great stumbling block to true integration, despite the government encouraging perpaduan time and again, it is worthwhile investing time and effort to get the various races to become conversant in several 'Malaysian' languages of their fellow citizens.
Only when one makes a language breakthrough can the cultural, traditional and other aspects of life unique to each community become better accessible. It also calls for a more honest input from the government. They cannot be seen preaching one idea to the nation and another hush-hush one to the Malays.
Ultimately any good that may come from this idea (and I personally think it is an excellent one) depends a lot on government policies relating to the various races. This is the one area which will continue to be the highest and most stubborn hurdle for the nation in its quest to find true and genuine unity. With the current situation and the affirmative action policy not showing any sign of being slowed down and mothballed, we can sing "Malaysia Kita Sudah Berjaya" and other feel-good patriotic songs till the cows come home without any meaningful result.
Dr Mahathir stressed that it was very important in today's world to learn other languages besides the mother tongue, and it was much more easier to learn various languages today with the advancement of technology. "So, learning various languages will contribute to a much more peaceful world," he added.
He said if children were exposed to various languages at an early age, they could master them because they picked up what was spoken daily.
**** I think this is perhaps the best thing the former PM has said in quite a while. I agree wholeheartedly with him on the subject. However instead of attempting to propagate his idea worldwide, nothing wrong with that though, wouldn't it be nice if the logic could be applied to the situation prevailing here in Malaysia?
After nearly 50 years of independence we, the different ethnic groups, are still so far away from meaningful integration. While admittedly discriminatory government policies have been a great stumbling block to true integration, despite the government encouraging perpaduan time and again, it is worthwhile investing time and effort to get the various races to become conversant in several 'Malaysian' languages of their fellow citizens.
Only when one makes a language breakthrough can the cultural, traditional and other aspects of life unique to each community become better accessible. It also calls for a more honest input from the government. They cannot be seen preaching one idea to the nation and another hush-hush one to the Malays.
Ultimately any good that may come from this idea (and I personally think it is an excellent one) depends a lot on government policies relating to the various races. This is the one area which will continue to be the highest and most stubborn hurdle for the nation in its quest to find true and genuine unity. With the current situation and the affirmative action policy not showing any sign of being slowed down and mothballed, we can sing "Malaysia Kita Sudah Berjaya" and other feel-good patriotic songs till the cows come home without any meaningful result.
posted by The Malaysian. at 8/21/2006 06:31:00 PM
1 Comments:
"Learning other languages could reduce world problems-Dr M.This is another nonsence conjecture from DR. M. again and again! Look at Bush when invaded and colonized Afghanistan and Iraq; Zionist Israel subjugate the Palestine and terrorize with heavy militancy and weaponry upon the weakest Lebanon. These unfortunate events have nothing to do with language!What a joke for a recalcitrant and absent-minded poor Dr M. Day by day and minute by minute he talk nuts because he's a lonesome man without steel-fisted power any more. His regret to annoint Pak Lah came too late!
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