what is the purpose of studying foreign language?

There are many purposes for studying foreign languages. Some of the more common reasons are to translate one language into another, to work or live in a country that interests you, to attend school in a foreign country, to learn about the different cultures of the world, and finally for personal social reasons.

When I visited Central Asia several years ago, the children approached us to talk with us - to practice their English. Many have told us they speak multiple languages such as English, German, French, and their native tongue. Some also speak some of the Asian languages. They impressed me very much, because I have lived in the US most of my life, and my primary language is English, and I can speak, write, and read a little Japanese.

With language, if you don't use it, you lose it.

Why could studying a foreign language be useful?
1. Business: One can help facilitate importing and exporting of consumer goods and services by talking to one's potential clients in their own language.
2. Academics: One can study another country's history, culture, and politics by diving into that country's original documents and source material.
3. Residence: One can move to another country and assimilate to that new country by learning to speak the native language.
4. Politics and diplomacy: One can become familiar with another country's official language in order to help your own country's political and cultural standing with another country and their respective government.
5. Cultural: One can help with the exchange of literature and cinema by translating other country's works into your own native tongue or vice versa where you translate your country's work of fiction to another language so the speakers and readers of that language can be exposed to the cultural works from your own country that make you proud.

Heyas glad you stared a topic hmmm i belive the answer with that would be for comunication. Weather or not its considered foreigh well thats to the eyes of the beholder. Whatever the means may be in laguage or writting or any other method passing your communication

White man speak with forked ear !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzrGfStK62U&NR=1