Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1932. MODERN LANGUAGES AND TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 5, 3 December 1932, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1932. MODERN LANGUAGES AND TRADE.

Certain resolutions wliick were earned at the International Congress for Commercial Education, held in London last July, have been circulated to interested institutions by the Department of Education. One touches upon a subject of which much is likely to be heard since competition for world trade has become so keen. It relates to the knowledge of foreig-n languages. The Congress expressed the wish that young 1 people engaged in a business career should, after completing their theoretical training, be enabled to move freely from one country to another to study and engage in practical business. Thus, it pointed out, they would become acquainted with trade practices and the usages of foreign countries, learn foreign languages, and become citizens of the world, fit and qualified for the very important part they are called upon to play in international commerce. For the modern world commercial traveller a knowledge of foreign languages is a prime essential. Speaking at Oxford University but a few days ago, the Prince of Wales made a plea for a better knowledge of languages in view of their commercial importance. His Royal Highness has travelled far and wide, and his notable speeches on British salesmanship have been combined with his earnest desire that Britain’s salesmen should widen their knowledge bf foreign tongues. His experience in foreign countries and extensive education in languages gives him a special privilege in this matter, and it is significant that liis latest plea was spoken in the home of classical tradition.

This important question, it may be recalled, was raised two years ago in England when the Committee on Education for Salesmanship published an interim report. It stressed the importance of a knowledge of foreign lang-uages and discussed the reasons for the English neglect of them, and how it could be remedied. It was pointed out at the time that British manufacturers had been slow to appreciate the importance of this matter, and there should be developed a full realisation that the future of Britain’s export trade depended to a considerable extent on acquaintance with foreign tongues. Modern competitive conditions demand that manufacturers at Home and their representatives travelling abroad should thoroughly study the conditions of foreign markets; understand the characteristics of the people they trade with; have a sound knowledge of trade conditions and political and social factors, and correspond in the language of the people they are dealing with. This would be compliance with the resolution of the Congress that met in July last. Neglect to do so places a severe handicap .upon British trade and courts severe loss, and it is undeniable that this lias happened in the past, and still goes on. The time has passed when British manufacturers held a monopoly in. foreign markets. Stringent conditions in industry to-day and growing competition demand compliance with the authoritative pronouncements of

able judges on this important matter. The deficiency, it has been well said, is peculiarly British. Other races, the Germans, Russians, French and the Dutch, are quicker to speak foreign languages than the British, and the reason may be found in Britain’s insularity and in the increasing use of the British tongue. Yet it is said the Briton is not a bad linguist. He can learn like the people of other races, but is shy of using a language lie only partly understands. It is not so with the foreigners, and if Britain’s goods are to find a ready market the defect must be remedied. One way suggested is for her young men to take holiday courses abroad, and Home manufacturers have been urged to give preference to those who do so. The matter is of interest to New Zealanders too. Many of our youth have gone abroad to make themselves accomplished in their calling, and not always to countries where their own tongue is principally used. The need of a knowledge of foreign languages has then been impressed upon them. In the future. more so than now, will the full importance of the Congress resolution be realised.