Of late, the trends of studying foreign languages like English, French and Chinese are exponentially increasing across the world. In such a situation, some people assert that the students should also study the cultural and lifestyle aspects of the ‘natives’ speaking the particular language they are learning. Nevertheless, I personally disagree with it.
The culture and lifestyle of foreign countries need not be studied by the students due to a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it is critical to recognise that the students’ own cultural traditions and lifestyles are of high significance could be of higher significance. If they study foreign cultures and lifestyles, their native culture will be distorted. For instance, a recent survey by National Geographic magazine exhibited that the local cultural values of have been forgotten by some students who started studying American culture while pursuing education in Mumbai University. Secondly, such study of foreign cultures and lifestyles should not be imposed on anyone. Students, particularly in today’s democratic world, should have their own choice in this regard.
Admittedly, it is also true that while learning a foreign language in a proper way, building an understanding of their ‘native’ cultural values and lifestyle could be a game changer. For this, the students could be required to watch movies of particular cultures. Secondly, this is important to develop a cosmopolitan culture also, which will eventually lead to convergence of diverse cultures across the world. However, in this context, it should not be forgotten that studying foreign culture should be an option, not a compulsion.
On the basis of the above deliberations, it could precisely be concluded that the arguments against compulsion to study foreign culture which learning some language are more convincing and stronger (more substantial) vis-à-vis arguments in its favour. This is, inter-alia, due to the necessity of protection of native culture from distortions.
Of late, the trends of studying
foreign
languages
like English, French and Chinese are
exponentially
increasing across the world. In such a situation,
some
people
assert that the
students
should
also
study
the
cultural
and
lifestyle
aspects of the
‘natives’
speaking the particular
language
they are learning.
Nevertheless
, I
personally
disagree with it.
The
culture
and
lifestyle
of
foreign
countries need not
be studied
by the
students
due to a variety of reasons.
First
and foremost, it is critical to
recognise
that the
students’
own
cultural
traditions and
lifestyles
are of high significance could be of higher significance. If they
study
foreign
cultures
and
lifestyles
, their
native
culture
will
be distorted
.
For instance
, a recent survey by National Geographic magazine exhibited that the local
cultural
values of have
been forgotten
by
some
students
who
started
studying American
culture
while pursuing education in Mumbai University.
Secondly
, such
study
of
foreign
cultures
and
lifestyles
should not
be imposed
on anyone.
Students
,
particularly
in
today
’s democratic world, should have their
own
choice in this regard.
Admittedly
, it is
also
true that while learning a
foreign
language
in a proper way
, building an understanding of their
‘native’
cultural
values and
lifestyle
could be a game changer. For this, the
students
could
be required
to
watch
movies of particular
cultures
.
Secondly
, this is
important
to develop a cosmopolitan
culture
also
, which will
eventually
lead to convergence of diverse
cultures
across the world.
However
, in this context, it should not
be forgotten
that studying
foreign
culture
should be an option, not a compulsion.
On the basis of the above deliberations, it could
precisely
be concluded
that the arguments against compulsion to
study
foreign
culture
which learning
some
language
are more convincing and stronger (more substantial) vis-à-vis arguments in its
favour
. This is,
inter-alia
, due to the necessity of protection of
native
culture
from distortions.