Cancel those Chinese classes, folks

I wonder when the English language is going to phase out? Can anyone estimate!

Maybe never. English is the great equalizer even for foreigners talking to foreigners. I recall reading that at Renault-Nissan meetings all meetings are in english since it allows neither side to have an advantage of speaking their native tongue. Also possibly recall similar setup at Airbus possibly..not sure...

As to personal experience, I've travelled a lot in Europe and Asia w/o much local lingo (I typically learn how enough to say thank you, I don't speak X [tho in French I am told what I actually say is No, YOU don't speak french], and can I have 2 beers [why 2? in a social meeting of colleagues two is a good number - you can have a drink with your local contact - need more - use fingers - drinking alone, two will tide you over enough to not have to go through ordeal of ordering again too soon]

In the end you're always surprised who can speak to you. Taxi drivers in Switzerland - i can say thank you in the 3 languages plus english they speak there for putting bag in the trunk - invariably the guy will assume I speak whatever language i chose (often at random) and start nattering away at me in.

The most memorable experience my wife and I had was in iceland. We were in reykjavik far far from tourist central visting someone my wife new from time here in states. We realized after we left them that we had no idea how to get back to hotel. I wandered into a random gas station doing my best mime for a phonebook and a taxi number when the cashier asked me in perfectly good english if I needed him to call me a taxi.

The problem with China, is not wether they speak or will speak chinese or english in the future.

The problem with the Western world may face in the futur with China is to be confronted with a marxist Superstate , that now is conquering te western world economically (by the low prices shops) and, as History teaches us, there will always be, after an economic conquest, an attempt to fulfill that conquest in the political way. And the chinese army has already the money to buy powerful weapons...

Yes, but to the "clever" televisons and newspapers editors we have today, no editorials on this ( yes the nazi regime, also financed by Europe and the westernn world had also no editorials prior to the war!) these are smalls details for a page 23 or 47 inside middle or quarter page.

"I wonder when the English language is going to phase out? Can anyone estimate!"

It won't phase out completely, but history tells us maybe its got another 100 years left.

If the Martians are technologically and economically ahead of us, they wouldn't bother learning any Earthling languages. We would of course learn Martian so we can read their scientific journals and business case studies. After we absorb their ideas and is able to surpase them (you see, they won't ever bother to read Earthling publications because they think we are inferior and cannot invent), we will then decided Martian is no longer a valuable language.

We will then become cocky just like they were, and so while Earthly language dominate for a while, Martians or some other planets might make a comeback.

The human experience suggests this kind of cycle is roughly about 300 years.

The Chinese population makes up 23% of the world population. It means that more than 2 billion people are speaking Mandarin. Since China is a very promising country for its economy power and Mandarin is an official language of the United Nations, a Mandarin speaking skill is surely a must-have in the future. You are lucky, and your Chinese is good. If you are interested in learning more about Mandarin, visit the website http://www.learnchinese.bj.cn/

I agree that Chinese is not essential to success in tomorrow's business world because English has obviously become the most commonly used global language.However, as a Chinese, I think that if foreigners want to do business in China, it is essential for them to understand Chinese culture and especially to know our language. The process of learning a language is by no means just about the language, it must include making gradual progress in knowing the people and the culture.Never expect that your Chinese partner would speak and understand English to the extent that you can treat them as a native English speaker. And Never expect the Chinese people who can speak perfect English think and act completely in the western way.

Ofcourse people can do business in China without speaking Chinese. But it will be a plus for both the counterpart and the foreigner. Life, both social and business will be more colorful.And this is not only about learning Chinese.Here in Holland the highschools are running English, French,German and starting now also with Chinese language courses. Young persons do pick up much easier other languages and that's why Chinese classes should be kept.Our children (11,13,16 years old in a family with Dutch father and Chinese mother ) are fluent now already in Dutch,Chinese,English and are following German and French language lessons in school.

Ko Ruijter
Maarssen
Holland