DEFENCE OF FRENCH

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 17

DEFENCE OF FRENCH

• , (To tho Editor.) Sir, —1 had no intention oE referring again to the subject of Mr. Combs's letter in "The Evening Post" last week, - but after his further letter on "The Teaching of French," I' feel compelled, to write a few more words, as evidently :I have been taken.'up wrongly on several points. (1) When saying (in my last letter) that languages (and French in particular) "are an advance.in civilisation, and open won : derful, vistas to the mind" (which, fact is recognised all the world over),, it seems to me, by mentioning this fact and several others in connection,, that I did.rebut the charge made that : the teaching,'of French is a criminal waste, as well as "dry.rot," etc. It is i a bold., accusation; /implied, that education, all the world over, is wasting the time of thousands and thousands o£ students, all with the same necessities, problems, and outlook on life as the New Zealandcr, no doubt. . (2) Socially,, how can its .usefulness be, denied, unless New Zealand, in opposition to the' British spirit, wishes to be a nation of "stay-at-homes," or take little interest in all. the'world's'rapid strokes,of advance in' every '.direction ?< Only one's own language is not.sufficient.(alas! Latin, I see, comes "under the ban-as well), and, of course,' New Zealand, from what'l see of it, is not made of that stuff, as I know a large number of travellers, among them many 'students, who have: been abroad already,, and .deplored, in. many cases, 1 not having • learnt French,; but not having learnt it with more interest. ■ '... ■ 1 (3) Culture., I say that after a few months if study of the language, most people can read- French. Reading'it is perfecting it, and-'I don't think it could possibly be brought forward that ; the fine writing, and:..literature (prose . and verse of the French writers) - are not -.. worth reading.- iWhat ufttold joy one. can derive from reading works of that description in all languages!. -I have'-levelled; 'in the English Classics, at an early-age, and although a Frenchwoman* myself, I am a defender of 'English and other languages as well, and, of course, never did, suggest that French, should be taken up to the detriment of English. S.urely, I repeat, the, New Zealand student should be .capable of tackling both languages, as^ in so many other parts of the world. With interest in his; pai-t, and rational teaching ■on the part of .'the '■ teaeheiythe "acquiring of French: presents no, insuperable difficulties, as far as' writing,:reading, and talking correctly for ordinary purposes^ is concerned. And, for the studiously inclined (of which I hope there 1 are a few), to.take up and enjoy literature and classics at a further period. To' debar a:whole nation (as is, suggested) frorii learning one of the recognised, most useful, and artistic languages in existence, seems to me a tremendous responsibility. ■■'■ . ■ '■■-. I quite agree, with Mr. Combs, that'to ■ learn only in order: to teach is the narrow? est conception. of education, and ■ certainly a vicious 1 .circle,., which, very words I have often used' myself. Inculcate,, in the stu.dent enthusiasm /arid,'ambition in acquiring knowledge for 1 the possession of it (besides other reasons of necessity which may arise), and half the work, is done. lam all for encouragement, ■ which carries one over, the .top. My slogan is: ."Don't discourage tlie .Army -Corps."—l am, etc., ,-::■ ■/', .■: ■-"... B. M;' MAUNDER.','