Communication is the foundation of all communities. Different languages drive various societies. The understanding of different aspects of culture prevents many misunderstandings. During the first interaction of the Spanish and the Andeans both lacked understanding each others customs and importance of certain things. Both sides did not fully comprehend each other and this lead them to feeling a sense of disrespect. In “An Inca Account of the Conquest of Peru” by Titu Cusi Yupanqui gives insight as to how the Spaniards were greeted,“However, when he offered our customers drink in a golden cup to one of them, the Spaniard poured it out with his own hands, which offended my uncle very much. After that, those two Spaniards showed my uncle a letter or a book (I am not sure exactly which), explaining to him that this was the quillca [word] of God and of the king. My uncle still offended by the wasting of the chica (which is how we call our drink), took the letter (or whatever it was) and threw it down,”(Yupanqui 60) the scene establishes how the Andeans experienced disrespect on the Spaniard side and gave it back.
Being able to learn different languages gives you the advantage of being able to navigate various communities. A sense of comprehension arises towards the culture held within a given community that speaks a specific language. Being able to learn a new language is never going to hurt you in a bad way. If the Spaniards had adopted the language of the Andeans and interact with them or if the Andeans would have had a chance to learn the language of the Spaniards, the feeling of disrespect would have never been felt. New Zealand is currently debating whether if they should incorporate the learning of a second language into their school curriculum. The long term effects of this action would truly benefit the youth. They would be able to interact with others outside of New Zealand. In a NZ Herald news article “Education Tauranga regional manager Anne Young said learning a second language at a young age was an opportunity for pupils to advance their learning. “It opens up a window to the world and allows them to communicate with more people,” she said. “It gives them a deeper understanding of culture,” Culture and Language have deep ties. With the learning of a new language the learning of a new culture is also included. The step of learning a secondary language should be taken. Soon only knowing one language will not be enough. Making it a requirement to learn a new language will better prepare the youth for the future. I myself know two languages, English and Spanish. It has been beneficial being able to communicate with two different communities.
The Spanish indeed had an interpreter but he is never going to be enough to fully understand the Andean culture. The Language would have be learned first by a few to establish a sense of understanding towards the Andeans culture. New Zealand pushing for a secondary language to be learned truly give insight into their mindset. They are not only thinking of the present but also of the future. Language is what enable us to navigate the world. The Spanish and the Andeans did not seem to see that without understanding each other they would get nowhere. The way they communicated was as if they were walking on glass. Not understanding each other leads to great disrespect and them figuratively walking on glass.
Work Cited
- Schriefer, Paula, and About Paula Schriefer. “What’s the Difference between Multicultural, Intercultural, and Cross-Cultural Communication?” The Spring Institute, 20 Apr. 2016, www.springinstitute.org/whats-difference-multicultural-intercultural-cross-cultural-communication/.
- By: Simon Collins Education reporter, NZ Herald simon.collins@nzherald.co.nz Share via email Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Show more Bookmark this article Share on Facebook facebook Share on Twitter twitter Share via email ema. “Bill Sparks Debate on Languages in Schools.” NZ Herald, www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11972491.
- By: Zoe Hunter Zoe is a reporter at the Bay of Plenty Times zoe.hunter@nzme.co.nz @ Bay_Times Share via email Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Show more Bookmark this article Share on Facebook facebook Share on Twitter twitter Sh. “Bay Education Experts Debate Learning of Second Languages in Schools.” NZ Herald, www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11975355.
- Yupangui, Tito Cussi, and Ralph Bauer. An Inca Account of the Conquest of Peru. University Press of Colorado, 2005.
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