Bush Proposes Broader Language Training

By MICHAEL JANOFSKY
Published: January 6, 2006

Correction Appended

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 - The Bush administration on Thursday proposed spending $114 million on educational programs to expand the teaching of Arabic, Chinese, Farsi and other languages typically not taught in public schools.


"In order to convince people we care about them, we've got to understand their culture and show them we care about their culture," Mr. Bush said. "You know, when somebody comes to me and speaks Texan, I know they appreciate the Texas culture. When somebody takes time to figure out how to speak Arabic, it means they're interested in somebody else's culture."


The administration's language proposal, known as the National Security Language Initiative, would create several new programs and build on others, including a Pentagon effort begun three years ago to increase the number of military personnel fluent in languages and familiar with customs in developing nations. - New York Times
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This is definitely a good thing. I am surprised that Bush is doing it, however, since it is both enlarging the government and encouraging multi-culturalism and diversity, both long-time Liberal tenets. In any case, it is a good thing, and Bush should be commended for implementing it.

I,am surprised that Venusian and Plutonian are not mentioned. Americans can hardly speak any other language than English,they could't hardly pick up anything from their Spanish or French neighbors ( and they,ve been there forever).Arabic, Farsi, Chinese??? Yeah I wanna see that!

In Canada where there is only one tenth of America's population ,Trudeau ,35 years ago has tried to implement bilinguism throughout the country......
...still waiting!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mozart,

Texan ? Does he mean to have you learn that as well ? Is that the language the President speaks: the one with useful words like 'misunderestimated' in ?