messybuu

Join Date 05/2002

Ignorant Americans or Lonely Europeans?

Who cares about the People's Republic of the Congo?

You've definitely heard that Americans are ignorant of foreign affairs, right? It's usually said by one of our Western European neighbors or an American in love with Western Europe. Are Americans uniquely ignorant of what happens beyond their borders, or are Europeans resentful because we don't pay as much attention to them as they do to us?

People often criticize Americans for not knowing multiple languages, pointing out that Europeans usually know two or three. Is it because Americans are ignorant? No, Americans usually have no need to know other languages, since the United States is a gigantic mass of land comprised of English-speaking states. Meanwhile, somebody from Germany should know the languages of their neighbors if they don't want to be confined to their tiny state. It's not impressive that Europeans know European languages since it's only logical to know them to facilitate communication with their neighbors. What would be impressive is if the average European fluently knew a language they'd never use in conversation, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Swahili. After all, that's what French, German, and Spanish are to most Americans. Does the average European fluently know a language they'll never need to use?

Another "problem" with Americans is their obliviousness to what happens outside American borders. They can't name leaders of European nations and can't spot specific European nations on a globe. But can the average European name the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and the People's Republic of the Congo? Can the average European name most of the nations of Africa?

I'll admit that the average Americans neither knows nor cares what's happening outside America, but I'm willing to bet that the average Western European neither knows nor cares what's happening outside Western Europe, and knowing what happens in the US doesn't count, because the US is such a powerful influence as the last superpower in the world that it's impossible to ignore it. When Western Europe becomes the last remaining superpower on Earth, and its actions directly influence the entire world, then Americans will pay attention to it.

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Nicely done, Messy.

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Europeans could be resentful, you might be right there, but I think many americans are ignorant, although I feel oblivious might be a better word.

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I just love these massive generalizations--on both sides of this blog in particular. I want to argue, but where do I start? The use of the term "average American," the open-ended, semi-rhetorical, unanswerable questions staged as rhetoric, the idea that we "average Americans" are oblivious to world affairs, the suggestion that the "average European" can't name most of the nations of Africa, the fact that the author seems to think s/he's speaking for the average American, or the disgusting superiority of the tone with which this article was written, as if Americans only care about outside affairs if the affairs affect America?

Wow, and you wonder why people hate us. Obviously our self-appointed spokesperson can't take criticism.

-A.

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Europeans could be resentful, you might be right there, but I think many americans are ignorant, although I feel oblivious might be a better word.

Did you read the article?

Wow, and you wonder why people hate us. Obviously our self-appointed spokesperson can't take criticism.

A bit touchy, aren't we? I never said I couldn't take criticism. I was aware that I might be proven wrong. So, what you're saying is that the average American (or person, for that matter) cares about worldly affairs that do not affect them or their nations? Can the average European name most of the nations of Africa? By the way, by saying that others hate us, aren't you proclaiming yourself as the representative of others when you speak for them and state their motive for hating the US?

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By the way, by saying that others hate us, aren't you proclaiming yourself as the representative of others when you speak for them and state their motive for hating the US?

Nope.

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Nope.

So the representatives of others that hate us say that they hate the US because of articles like my article? Can you please cite your source?

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You have to admit, Messybuu, that there is arrogance in your tone that exceeds the arrogance of Europeans. I think the point should be the language of understanding that there does exist other nations in the world.

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You have to admit, Messybuu, that there is arrogance in your tone that exceeds the arrogance of Europeans. I think the point should be the language of understanding that there does exist other nations in the world

I could accept that the tone of it was arrogant. I definitely could have reworded some sentences a bit better.
I'm sure the average Americans acknowledge that other nations exist in the world, but like the average European, it's not something to give much thought to unless it affects them in some way.

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I found the article somewhat insightful, if overly simplistic. Butthen for you to write one that would encompass all the factors that tend to support your thesis, you would have a blog that no one would read as no one wants to read another 'War and Peace'.

And I also tend to agree somewhat with your premise. Having lived in Europe, there is a lot of truth in what you say about their ignorance of matters outside western (and until recently) eastern Europe.

I give you an insightful because I see this as a compelling reason behind the creation of the EU. It is a 'Small World' after all, and getting smaller. The EU was a response to the fact that their little 20th century City-States were just too confining and the need to expand their roaming range led to the desire for a common set of laws and lucre.

And as a final note, your Article could be applied to Asia, Africa and I dare say South America as well. An American once said that "All Politics are Local". I dont think that is an american trait, I think that is a Human one.

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I'm not quite sure where to start..

Yes, I've heard that (some percentage of) Americans are ignorant of what goes on around them, true, nobody usually takes the time to care if other countries have similar traits. The size of the country should have little to do with it, or do you also not care what people are up to in Canada, or Mexico, or Cuba? The US is also surrounded by countries, even if they're not sizable ones.

I've also heard that a sizable number of US citizens speak (just) Spanish, wouldn't it be useful to be able to communicate with them? And in Canada, so I've heard, theres a lot of French speaking going on. I would think the biggest problem with Americans learning second languages would be that it's more difficult to take a school trip to somewhere that speaks it, and practice. Oh, and by the way, your average European (this is my guesswork here) probably knows a less than useful amount of a foreign language, if any at all.

Going back to size, maybe you don't realise, but size is relative. I was born and raised in the UK, which is tiny compared to even one US state, there a trip of 2 hours or so is something undertaken under duress, or for a weekend, it wouldnt be done just to visit a friend and return.. (Assuming one had friends so far away..) I'm now living in Germany (the past 10 years), which is somewhat larger, and defines a 3-4 hour journey as far.. 2 hours is nothing.. From what I've heard, some people in the US would drive 2 hours just to work or go shopping (I may be exagerating some) - My point is that even if a country is smaller, theres still no particular need to know the language of it's neighbours. Even in the US, where most speak english, some people have never been further than a few hours away from home.

I'll just ignore that bit about us being resentful.. Of what, why should we care? (Well personally I don't, maybe others do)

Personally I would hope I could vaguely find most countries on a map, not including ones that consist of an island or two, I'd have no idea who runs them though, but that also applies to most European countries.

Generally, people either care about such, or they don't. I'll agree with Dr. Guy, it's not a localised phenomenon at all. However, if the citizens of the "Worlds last superpower" want to be looked up to by the rest of us, they could put in some effort, as they're the only ones that will get noticed in such matters..

Jess

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I've also heard that a sizable number of US citizens speak (just) Spanish, wouldn't it be useful to be able to communicate with them? And in Canada, so I've heard, theres a lot of French speaking going on

You miss the scope, but given the tiny nature of countries in Europe that is not Surprising.

First, you can travel days! (not in a circle either) and never meet anyone but English Speaking people. Sure, you can also walk out of your door in parts of the US and hear spanish. But suprisingly (or not), most of the people living in those areas actually do Speak Spanish as well!

Second, you can live your whole life in canada, and NEVER speak a word of French, and NEVER not get by. As much as the Quebecois would love to believe, they are becoming assimilated, and it is they who must be bi-lingual to survive.

Finally, and thank you for the attribution, there is an over-riding trend going on that even the French in thier xenophobia cannot stop. It is something that indeed the Americans invented, but not with the resultant end result in mind.

it is called the Internet. And you can see pages in any language. However, since 90% of it is in English, seems most of the rest of the world want to learn that to transverse it competantly.

There was a movement that is still around, but gained great publicity 30 years ago. it was Called Esperante (sp). And was the best language as it used the best rules of all languages (English really sucks at that). Why did it not suceed?

The Internet.

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