I graduated from a Catholic High School in 1959. I was told by the pastor that Latin was the only foreign language I’d ever need to know. It was the only language option at that school. Later, in the military and as a civilian, it was discovered through testing, that I had a capacity for learning languages. Since then I had college courses in French, and was professionally trained in Hebrew and Spanish. Personally I’d like to study Arabic just for the intellectual exercise.
Yup... similar deal here. When overseas I try to earn enough to know the gist of whats been said at least.
Good for self preservation and a heads up when your translator is giving away information instead of getting information!