I feel i am privileged to live in a country with a language only spoken in a few parts of the world. We weren forced to learn foreign languages because otherwise we could trade with other countries. Here in the Netherlands is it normal for most of the youth to learn English in school and when they are luckey and want, they can learn more than one foreign language. But not only you have to learn them at a young age, because that is easier than when you are older. But also you have to practise them. I can read and speak English and German quite well, because I have german and english speaking friends and I read books in those languages. But I would think of translating a Dutch book in English not even a lace book. At this moment I am writing articles for Vuelta y Cruz in English. I try to write them in English right away, not first in Dutch and then translate them. For me this is the most convenient way to do. I don’t have to do the work twice and I am not getting confused by the two languages.
But we all feel the need to read also books originally written in foreign language and we have difficulties with it. The only way to solve that problem in the future is to assure our children and grandchildren how important it is to learn more than one language. So Americans and English people, assure your children about the necessity to learn also spanish, french or german. The same for the Spanish,French and Italian people and everyone who thinks that only their native language is enough. It isn’t anymore. Happy lacing and reading all the beautiful lace books. Gon Homburg, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where spring is coming. Trees are blooming and the tulips are showing themselves only with the leaves until now. - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
