I think having any language as a universal is actually quite boring. Also, it's a bit lame to think that the other 60% of the world's GDP want to speak English...especially considering that they are in the majority.

I really want to pro-*test*-('") any notions of 'let's make English the world's only language'. It is boring.

I don't think his (Torres') argument has a very strong basis. His choices are very arbitrary and may be influenced by his personal preferences. As for English being the universal language, I think we should be more open-minded about this proposition. I think that it would be fairly reasonable to have English as a common language. Of course, everybody doesn't speak English. Although, given the way things are, learning English would definitely be a plus.

His choices are very arbitrary... All choices are ultimately arbitrary. I think that it would be fairly reasonable to have English as a common language. No more reasonable than Mandarin or Spanish. Although, given the way things are, learning English would definitely be a plus. No more of a plus than learning Arabic or Sanskrit.

1.Yes, I agree with you. Choice is ultimately arbitrary. 2.Well I did say, the way things are. In here English would definitely be helpful. In our country people learn English not because they want to, but because they have to for work, travel, communication etc. People who have college diplomas yet don't have good command in English are generally looked down on. I have seen that most who go to work abroad have to have a working command of English. Even working inside the country, it is a requirement.

In our country people learn English not because they want to, but because they have to for work, travel, communication etc. Which country is "our country"? People who have college diplomas yet don't have good command in English are generally looked down on. That simply makes the people looking down on others assholes, it does nothing to suggest that learning English, or for that matter, making English the universal language is a good idea. I have seen that most who go to work abroad have to have a working command of English. Go abroad from where to where? I would think that where someone goes has a lot to do with what language they need to learn.

1. Philippines 2. Darn you are good. and I have to agree with you. But what can we normal people do? We cannot change the status quo, sadly. 3. Saudi Arabia, actually, generally Middle Eastern countries, to work as skilled workers, whose employers are mostly whites who speak nothing else but English. You argue very well.:)I have to commend you for that. I have to go to bed now, though.

add: it's actually quite sad to see people knowing english yet having very bad command of their native language,considering that the Philippines has 100+ langs. Sadly, I think I may be one of those people.

But what can we normal people do? While I am not fond of the term "normal", I'd say the best thing they can do is be kind to others, regardless of the education level. We cannot change the status quo, sadly. It doesn't have to be the status quo, especially if the "normal" people don't subscribe to it. Saudi Arabia, actually, generally Middle Eastern countries, to work as skilled workers, whose employers are mostly whites who speak nothing else but English. Um, no. I've lived in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and I will soon be in Iraq, I know for a fact that many of the residents of these countries don't know any English, and many of them don't want to know any English. To suggest that English should be a priority over Arabic when going to live and work in a Middle-Eastern country is mildly ridiculous, and quite rude actually. You argue very well. I have had many years of practice.

I find English much more beautiful then Mandarin. So I prefer English. And English still is the language of computers, so I had to know it. And I suppose it would be good if the majority know English like me and you, and we can communicate. But about the Universe... If Russians will launch the spaceship to the planat, where aliens would be found and Russians will communicate with aliens - aliens should study Russian, and Russian will be the Real Universal Language (not very shy ^___^). And if that spaceship will be Portugese,... Now we know only Homo Sapiens who distinguish different languages. Other times the situation may change...

And English still is the language of computers, so I had to know it. I think you mean 'English is the language of the internet'. And even that is a stretch. And I suppose it would be good if the majority know English like me and you, and we can communicate. Well, by your own admission, your English isn't that good, and you continue to make very minor mistakes, including your above post, so there are varying degrees of communication to be had. If Russians will launch the spaceship to the planat, where aliens would be found and Russians will communicate with aliens - aliens should study Russian, and Russian will be the Real Universal Language (not very shy ^___^). And if that spaceship will be Portugese,... Um, I think you have made the point that I was alluding to...you've misunderstood the use of "universal". Universal Language ~ Международный язык

Take note also that I didn't mention English taking precedence over Arabic. Perhaps not explicitly, but you did say "I think that it would be fairly reasonable to have English as a common language.", which in a country that already has a 'common language', is pretty ridiculous. I must point out as well that these same Filipinos still get by speaking only English. And Tagalog. Bikol, Cebuano...etc. Few of them, if any, have contact with the locals. What country are you talking about? I lived in Qatar for a year and the Filipinos I saw had plenty of contact with the locals... They are only there to work, and that is the sad truth. Why is it sad? Everyone needs to work, right? Moreover, resources for Arabic language learning are few and far between in the Philippines. According to this article, you are mistaken. Compare that with English which is compulsory from Elementary to High School in all schools, plus the amount of materials available. So, because a language is compulsory, everyone learns it, and uses it, and should like it? That's sounds like a pretty fascist approach to me.

I didn't say that people should like English because it is compulsory, I merely stated that since the resources are there and it is already widely taught, why not go on with it? Quote:According to this article, you are mistaken. Note also that it says *Spanish and Arabic are auxiliary languages. While Arabic is pretty much alive in Mindanao, it is usually learned just by Muslims. The use of Spanish on the other hand has pretty much declined, so much so that I don't consider it an auxiliary language.