As An English Speaker, Do I Really Need French?

It is sometimes said, with some justification, that English is now so widely spoken around the world that an English speaker hardly needs to bother about learning any other language. No matter where you might go around the world,it is said, there is always a chance of meeting someone who either speaks perfect English or can, at least, manage a smattering of English. So,they say, "you do not really need any other language;not even French". Is this really true? Would knowledge of French be entirely useless to an English speaker?

I don`t think so; particularly as regards a major world language such as French. In Europe and apart from being universally used in its motherland, France(which happens to be one of the UK`s closest neighbours), French is spoken in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. In Africa, French is one of the most widely used of languages,deeply entrenched as the official language in more than half the continent`s countries. On the American continent, French is spoken in Canada and in a number of Caribbean nations including Guadeloupe, and French Guyana. Even in Asia, you will find places such as Vietnam where you would feel particularly at home if you can speak French.

Quite apart from the above summary of the geographical spread of French world-wide, it is to be noted that French is (along side English) one of a handful of seven or so languages which serve as the working languages of most major international organisations around the world, beginning with the United Nations, NATO, the World Bank, World Health Organisation, the European Union, to name but few.

Admittedly, one can very well travel to any of the French-speaking countries named here-above or attend meetings in any of the organisations mentioned, without needing to master a single world of French. After-all, it is always possible either to employ a translator/interpreter or to use those provided during the official sessions of international meetings; but who wants to go spending money on a translator or interpreter if you can handle the language first-hand, unassisted? More over, and on a more personal level, nothing can ever beat the pleasure and satisfaction of being able to take an active part in a conversation with friends or acquaintances; or to book one`s flight, or speak to the doctor,the police, customs etc.

Of course , this sort of private use of language becomes even more useful and desirable as and when it happens to do with a confidential or particularly important matter which we might prefer to communicate directly on a one-to one basis rather than through a translator or interpreter.

These and more are some of the reasons why I personally believe it would be very useful for anyone to learn French, even if they master enough English to get by in most countries of the world. It would therefore be a serious mistake to think otherwise.