4 ms·

This really seems like excusing the underperforming education system in US and cultural glorification of language bastardization. Every language has some areas

by Aoyagi 12y ago

This really seems like excusing the underperforming education system in US and cultural glorification of language bastardization. Every language has some areas that are difficult to grasp and English is one of the easier languages, as most people who have learned more than two foreign languages (including English, of course) can tell.

Svip 12y ago
I too am not sure I buy the argument. While Danish has a institution 'controlling' the language, Danish is far more irregular than English is. This is also hindered by Danish having 18 basic vowels (most of any European language), although it has 9 (+4 from English) letters to describe the vowels. But even so, they overlap. Despite Danish's inconsistencies, problems and - some might say - generally awfulness (which I personally like!), Denmark has a 99% literacy rate.[0] [0] http://country-facts.findthedata.com/q/66/2395/What-is-the-literacy-rate-in-Denmark-a-country-in-the-continent-of-Europe http://country-facts.findthedata.com/q/66/2395/What-is-the-l... (Although, those data are from 2003.)
- joelwilliamson 12y ago
  A 99% literacy rate is nothing special. Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK all have 99% literacy rates.
  - Svip 12y ago
    Well, the article claims 20% of native English speakers cannot read or write properly. > Ultimately, about one out of every five English speakers are functionally illiterate, meaning they "cannot read or write well enough for everyday literacy needs," Bell said. That's the only reason I brought it up.
jonifico 12y ago
English is a foreign language for me and I think you're absolutely right. Every language has tough parts, but English is by far the easiest I've seen. Excusing the lack of proper education like that is just silly.
sthreet 12y ago
Everyone seems to agree that schools are garbage. Why doesn't someone do something about it? Also, this is off topic, but a decent place to ask: Why are there no programming classes in schools? (I've heard 'politics' before, but it has never been explained to me.)
- joshstrange 12y ago
  > Everyone seems to agree that schools are garbage. Why doesn't someone do something about it? If I had to guess it's because until/unless you have kids it "doesn't affect you" (I put that in quotes because it does but the consequences are not right in your face, see global warming). > Also, this is off topic, but a decent place to ask: Why are there no programming classes in schools? (I've heard 'politics' before, but it has never been explained to me.) I had a programming class (Java and a little c++) in HS but I realize you are probably asking about elementary/middle schools primarily.
  - sthreet 12y ago
    No, I'm talking about high school. Though I think with how simple the basics are, I think they should be in middle school at the latest, I have never seen a high school programming class. Two of our math teachers used to program a long time ago, the computer tech guy doesn't even do html I think he said.
    - joshstrange 12y ago
      Oh, well my school had 1 class and I've talked to co-workers that had similar classes at their schools but I agree that the vast majority of schools don't have anything like this.
- rhino369 12y ago
  My school had a programming class and a web design class. But generally, probably the same reason schools don't have engineering classes, accounting classes, actuarial classes, financial classes, legal, nursing, etc. etc. They are considered career specialties that you learn post high school.
theandrewbailey 12y ago
This is counter to all the anecdotes I've heard all my life (from everyday people to English majors) about the difficulty of English. I grew up and hang around American monolinguals.

by Aoyagi 12y ago

Svip 12y ago

I too am not sure I buy the argument. While Danish has a institution 'controlling' the language, Danish is far more irregular than English is. This is also hindered by Danish having 18 basic vowels (most of any European language), although it has 9 (+4 from English) letters to describe the vowels. But even so, they overlap. Despite Danish's inconsistencies, problems and - some might say - generally awfulness (which I personally like!), Denmark has a 99% literacy rate.[0] [0] http://country-facts.findthedata.com/q/66/2395/What-is-the-literacy-rate-in-Denmark-a-country-in-the-continent-of-Europe http://country-facts.findthedata.com/q/66/2395/What-is-the-l... (Although, those data are from 2003.)

joelwilliamson 12y ago
A 99% literacy rate is nothing special. Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK all have 99% literacy rates.
- Svip 12y ago
  Well, the article claims 20% of native English speakers cannot read or write properly. > Ultimately, about one out of every five English speakers are functionally illiterate, meaning they "cannot read or write well enough for everyday literacy needs," Bell said. That's the only reason I brought it up.

jonifico 12y ago

English is a foreign language for me and I think you're absolutely right. Every language has tough parts, but English is by far the easiest I've seen. Excusing the lack of proper education like that is just silly.

sthreet 12y ago

Everyone seems to agree that schools are garbage. Why doesn't someone do something about it? Also, this is off topic, but a decent place to ask: Why are there no programming classes in schools? (I've heard 'politics' before, but it has never been explained to me.)

joshstrange 12y ago
> Everyone seems to agree that schools are garbage. Why doesn't someone do something about it? If I had to guess it's because until/unless you have kids it "doesn't affect you" (I put that in quotes because it does but the consequences are not right in your face, see global warming). > Also, this is off topic, but a decent place to ask: Why are there no programming classes in schools? (I've heard 'politics' before, but it has never been explained to me.) I had a programming class (Java and a little c++) in HS but I realize you are probably asking about elementary/middle schools primarily.
- sthreet 12y ago
  No, I'm talking about high school. Though I think with how simple the basics are, I think they should be in middle school at the latest, I have never seen a high school programming class. Two of our math teachers used to program a long time ago, the computer tech guy doesn't even do html I think he said.
  - joshstrange 12y ago
    Oh, well my school had 1 class and I've talked to co-workers that had similar classes at their schools but I agree that the vast majority of schools don't have anything like this.
rhino369 12y ago
My school had a programming class and a web design class. But generally, probably the same reason schools don't have engineering classes, accounting classes, actuarial classes, financial classes, legal, nursing, etc. etc. They are considered career specialties that you learn post high school.

theandrewbailey 12y ago

This is counter to all the anecdotes I've heard all my life (from everyday people to English majors) about the difficulty of English. I grew up and hang around American monolinguals.