Chirac warns of risk from U.S. culture
Thursday, October 7, 2004
HANOI President Jacques Chirac of France warned Thursday of a catastrophe for global diversity if the United States' cultural leadership goes unchallenged.
.
Speaking at a French cultural center in Hanoi before the opening Friday of a summit meeting of European and Asian leaders, Chirac said France was right to stand up for cultural and linguistic diversity.
.
The French president warned that the world's different cultures could be "choked" by U.S. values.
.
This, he said, would lead to a "general world subculture" based around the English language. This, he maintained, would be "a real ecological catastrophe."
.
Citing Hollywood's overwhelming leadership in the movie industry as an example, Chirac asserted that only with government assistance could countries maintain their cultural heritage.
.
Vietnam is a former French colony, but only 375,000 of its 81 million people speak French. English is considered by most people a far more valuable and practical second language, particularly among those in business. HANOI President Jacques Chirac of France warned Thursday of a catastrophe for global diversity if the United States' cultural leadership goes unchallenged.
.
Speaking at a French cultural center in Hanoi before the opening Friday of a summit meeting of European and Asian leaders, Chirac said France was right to stand up for cultural and linguistic diversity.
.
The French president warned that the world's different cultures could be "choked" by U.S. values.
.
This, he said, would lead to a "general world subculture" based around the English language. This, he maintained, would be "a real ecological catastrophe."
.
Citing Hollywood's overwhelming leadership in the movie industry as an example, Chirac asserted that only with government assistance could countries maintain their cultural heritage.
.
Vietnam is a former French colony, but only 375,000 of its 81 million people speak French. English is considered by most people a far more valuable and practical second language, particularly among those in business. HANOI President Jacques Chirac of France warned Thursday of a catastrophe for global diversity if the United States' cultural leadership goes unchallenged.
.
Speaking at a French cultural center in Hanoi before the opening Friday of a summit meeting of European and Asian leaders, Chirac said France was right to stand up for cultural and linguistic diversity.
.
The French president warned that the world's different cultures could be "choked" by U.S. values.
.
This, he said, would lead to a "general world subculture" based around the English language. This, he maintained, would be "a real ecological catastrophe."
.
Citing Hollywood's overwhelming leadership in the movie industry as an example, Chirac asserted that only with government assistance could countries maintain their cultural heritage.
.
Vietnam is a former French colony, but only 375,000 of its 81 million people speak French. English is considered by
Full article >>>>
iht.com |
