Comments for Beyond Chile's Single Story

Comment on Larry Summers is Wrong: Why Learning Multiple Languages is So Valuable by Gonzalo Gandia

Gonzalo Gandia — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:38:05 +0000

Sorry, but I’m late to this party…I just discovered this site today! Great writing, btw…

I think you’re both right. Just like everything in life, context is necessary. I believe that there are too many things to master in life; the list is endless. You have to concentrate on what you do well, or better said, on what you do easily. If you have the ability to learn languages quickly, and obviously you do, then you should learn as many as you can. I speak 3 languages myself, but I am a product of pure luck. I don’t have the predeisposition to learn languages, and I struggle still with Spanish and French. Thankfully, when it comes to business, most people have related to me in English since I usually represented international companies.

All bets are off if you decide to live somewhere and earn your keep in said country. Just as you say, one comes off arrogant and condescending if you insist others speak english on their home turf…

Great stuff, looking forward to future posts…

Comment on Bus ConCiencia: A Brilliant Way to Share Science Education in Chile by “Una solución brillante para llevar ciencia a las escuelas” | Ideame Blog

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:28:09 +0000

[...] Para leer más: http://www.leslieforman.com/2012/01/bus-conciencia-science-education-in-chile/ [...]

Comment on Larry Summers is Wrong: Why Learning Multiple Languages is So Valuable by Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:38:22 +0000

Thanks so much for the mention!

Comment on Larry Summers is Wrong: Why Learning Multiple Languages is So Valuable by Curmudgeon-A-Day

Curmudgeon-A-Day — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:52:57 +0000

Thanks for this. I borrow from and link to you here: http://curmudgeonaday.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/larry-mofo-summers.

Comment on Larry Summers is Wrong: Why Learning Multiple Languages is So Valuable by Larry MoFo Summers « curmudgeonaday

Larry MoFo Summers « curmudgeonaday — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:29:48 +0000

[...] en vogue, from expanding critical ability, understanding your native language and culture better, or even making a living, despite the usual knock by boneheads like Summers that the humanities aren’t [...]

Comment on Larry Summers is Wrong: Why Learning Multiple Languages is So Valuable by The World has Changed: Foreign Languages Make a Huge Difference - Stacie Berdan

The World has Changed: Foreign Languages Make a Huge Difference - Stacie Berdan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:52:30 +0000

[...] came from a young entrepreneur, Leslie Forman, who wrote that “being able to speak more than one language has had an immeasurable … on her life. Originally from California, she moved to China and now lives in Chile as she builds [...]

Comment on Larry Summers is Wrong: Why Learning Multiple Languages is So Valuable by Leslie

Leslie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:59:41 +0000

Agreed! The opportunity to deeply connect and understand is the most important reason to learn languages. I am so grateful to have had these multilingual opportunities, though I also know that a lot of people have several languages within their own families, which makes exposure to many languages at a young age so much easier. I know a Chilean couple with two adorable little kids. The dad (who grew up in England) always speaks English to the kids, and the mom speaks Spanish. His daughter started to speak at around two and a half, which is slightly older than most kids raised in only one language, but now she says, “Daddy, book!” and “Gracias mama.” Very cute!

Comment on Larry Summers is Wrong: Why Learning Multiple Languages is So Valuable by Akhila

Akhila — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:07:53 +0000

Nice critique! I think learning languages is exceedingly important, and you’re lucky you had the opportunity to get it wired in your brain at such a young age. I, unfortunately, seem to never have gotten the aptitude for languages, but I also haven’t lived abroad as much (perhaps as a consequence of that). I think that to TRULY delve into other communities and cultures, we have to learn languages. If we subsist on English, sure, we can survive, but can we really deeply connect and understand? No, we can only gain the shallowest of experiences and understandings.

Comment on How to Link to Your Latest Blog Post in Your Email Signature by Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:16:51 +0000

Hi Erika,

Thanks so much for your comment. That sounds super frustrating and I hope that anyone else who finds this post reads your comment. I hate tech-y timewasters!

I tried WiseStamp with Gmail, and it worked there, but I found myself always deleting the WiseStamp link from my email signature. I have yet to re-install it since I upgraded to new Gmail, but I plan to do it soon.

Have a great day!
Leslie

Comment on How to Enjoy a Long Layover in Mexico City by Leslie

Leslie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:01:31 +0000

Thanks Jim for giving me the guidance to make the most of a short trip. I hope to be back soon… for more than one day!

@Anwar, glad you like them! I hope you get to visit some time soon, and hopefully for more than one day. I would have loved to explore more neighborhoods and sample more of the delicious food.