>If there's to be a common language, >there's always going to be the native speakers that get the free ride, >whatever it is. Touché But Americans (and English) do seem to be notoriously reluctant to learn other languages. I mean - we can't even wrap our heads around the metric system. >If English-speaking countries became insignificant AND there was a >drop-in alternative waiting in the wings (maybe French? Isn't that the >runner-up?), then we might see a change. Well, there's a reason they call it the linuga-franca. French once was, and may yet be again. If the dollar continues its decline in relation to the euro, and international culture starts becoming more Eurocentric - as seems very likely right now - we may indeed see another language replace English. Then we Americans will really have to buck-up, swallow our pride, and join the rest of the multilingual world. (Let's just hope it does not end up being Chinese!) - Maluvia
