Germans learn foreign languages, but who's learning German?
February 21st 2009 08:46
German news webzine The Local reports that 88% of Germans over 18 speak at least one foreign language, placing them well above the world average of 58% of over 18s speaking at least one foreign language. Predictably, English is the foreign language of choice for 77% of said Germans who are bilingual, with travel and career reasons being cited as the most popular reasons for such learning endeavours. Source.
While Germans have shown a keen interest in the Mother tongue of other nations, it seems most nations do not reciprocate this.
The same article from The Local features data published by the Institute for German Economics in Cologne which shows that since 2002, the number of EU students studying German and been falling steadily everywhere except in Bulgaria and Slovenia.
So is German in danger of becoming extinct?
Well no, I mean there are at least 80 million Germans who are no doubt fluent in their Mother tongue. Furthermore, German on average is the third most leant language. True, it lags quite significantly behind English and French (in that order) but still, third is nowhere near bad.
Or is it?
While German itself is not in the firing line (yet) UNESCO has found that Northern German languages such as Saterlandic and Northern Frisian are 'severely endangered'. .Source
Without some immediate conversation work, it seems that linguicide will indeed strike again.
While Germans have shown a keen interest in the Mother tongue of other nations, it seems most nations do not reciprocate this.
The same article from The Local features data published by the Institute for German Economics in Cologne which shows that since 2002, the number of EU students studying German and been falling steadily everywhere except in Bulgaria and Slovenia.
So is German in danger of becoming extinct?
Well no, I mean there are at least 80 million Germans who are no doubt fluent in their Mother tongue. Furthermore, German on average is the third most leant language. True, it lags quite significantly behind English and French (in that order) but still, third is nowhere near bad.
Or is it?
While German itself is not in the firing line (yet) UNESCO has found that Northern German languages such as Saterlandic and Northern Frisian are 'severely endangered'. .Source
Without some immediate conversation work, it seems that linguicide will indeed strike again.
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Being able to speak more than one language, no matter what the language, is always impressive to me.
Interesting post.
Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle
I took German in college, and still brush up on it from time to time. I found it relatively easy to learn, probably because it has so mnay cognates with English.
Comment by Wynona Lavota
Generation Y Life
Janet Collins, I actually know very few native English speakers who've made the effort to learn another language. That makes me sad.
Comment by Brian McCrea
Pro Football Betting
I am going to learn German, just starting out. Can anyone recommend any websites or self study plans?