THE FOLLY OF ISOLATION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 13

THE FOLLY OF ISOLATION

Sir, —I read with pleasure “J.B.’s” letter, which appeared in your columns recently. . . . "J. 8. is probably aware that the English language offers many difficulties to the foreigner, but in spite of these he makes it part of his business to acquire a knowledge of it, not because its claim is incontestable, but because we as a nation are hopelessly out of the running where foreign languages are concerned. The English governess, whom “J. 8. mentions, is engaged by Continental parents to teach our language, which is also taught in foreign schools, because it is recognised that times have changed during the st ten years, and commercial expansion requires a knowledge of languages, otherwise competition with others cannot be faced with success. Great Britain formerly held a virtual monopoly of the world’s markets while other nations were at war, or had to face revolutions, besides political and financial problems. But at present Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and other countries have settled down, and have become hives of industrial activity. Their trade is expanding by leaps and bounds, and a knowledge of English enables them to compete successfully with a powerful rival. In this way intelligent and experienced men are being sent out to study the requirements of the markets, in which Great Britain was once supreme.

Mr. F. W. Goodenough, chairman of the Government Committee on Education for Salesmanship, drew attention .lately to the fact that British firms still conduct their correspondence with foreigners in English, quote in English currency, and send,out catalogues in English, with prices, quantities, and terms in English, and it is not to be wondered at if business does not come their way. He also stated, at one of the meetings of the committee, that he saw in France and Belgium large posters worded entirely in English—a sheer waste of money so far as 99 per cent, of those who saw them were concerned.

While sticking to my opinion, already expressed in “The Dominion,” that French is a language which is too important to be overlooked, I quite agree with “J. 8. that New Zealanders should learn Spanish if we recognise the potential trade of South America, which is our nearest non-English-speaking neighbour. We know that Great Britain is losing contracts, amounting to many millions per annum, because her salesnien imagine that they can get along successfully in South America without the slightest idea of Spanish, or of Portuguese if business is wanted in Brazil, whose imports for the month of January last were £7,958,000. I feel certain that our methods in New Zealand will be up to date, but it must be remembered that success against experienced rivals requires modern equipment, initiative, energy and a determination to succeed. It has been said in the London Press that the British manufacturer, except for a few happy exceptions, sits at home, either oblivious to the existence of the great continent of South America, or content to dump the merchandise he is unable to sell elsewhere, on that valuable market.

The folly of isolation rests with those who fail to recognise the importance of languages, especially when dealing commercially with other countries. They create a better understanding with those from whom we propose to get business. The foreigner has undoubtedly materially strengthened his position commercially, industrially, and socially, by making himself conversant with the English language, and the knowledge so acquired helps him to meet the present world-wide competition successfully.—l am, etc., SCOTTY NO. 1. Wellington, July 30.