If a person who speaks two languages is bilingual, and a person who speaks three languages in trilingual, what is a person called who speaks one language?
An American.
There is a movement across the college landscape in our country encouraging students to study abroad, learn another language, and experience a different culture. Americans are at a distinct disadvantage in terms of international business, ethics, and potential diplomacy. Our inability and worse our complete disinterest in learning other languages and experiencing other cultures has a damaging effect on the image of America around the world.
We need to end this ridiculous notion that exists which claims that to learn and speak a second language somehow makes us less of an American. To reclaim America's top position in the world, perhaps its time America truly becomes part of the world.
To that effect Goucher College in Baltimore is the first college in the country that requires all students to study abroad in order to graduate.
Thoughts?