TAMPA, Fla. — The U.S. presidential candidates could learn a lesson from the history of the Ybor City neighborhood, once known as the Cigar Capital of the World. The district’s multicultural background – which dates from its establishment by businessman Vicente Martinez Ybor and others in the mid-1880s – underscores the importance of foreign-language training and knowledge.

Now, the leading candidates certainly have mentioned foreign languages. On the Democratic side, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois recently stressed that American students should learn one or two foreign languages to give them a competitive edge, and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York has long advocated expanding access to foreign-language courses. The presumptive Republican nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, has expressed his desire to enhance America’s understanding of foreign cultures, as well as to increase the number of experts in strategic languages such as Arabic. But the candidates have yet to elevate the matter of foreign-language training and knowledge to the high priority that it deserves. Nor have they made such an effort with the related area of foreign policy – from positions on critical issues to a global strategy – which should be a deciding factor in the fall election.

Back to Ybor City. Originally, the district was populated mostly by immigrants from Cuba, Spain and Italy, along with smaller numbers from other countries. A popular figure in the early days was el lector (the reader), who helped entertain cigar-makers in factories by reading aloud from newspapers, magazines and books. Some lectors could scan a publication in English or Italian and immediately translate it into Spanish. La Gaceta, a trilingual newspaper started nearly a century ago, is still published in Tampa.

Clearly, knowing more than one language enabled people to make the most of their Ybor City experience in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Similarly, knowing more than one language enables people to make the most of their global experiences in the 21st century. Unfortunately, too many Americans resist the opportunity, believing that English, the “language of choice,” has essentially “won” in the global marketplace. I would hardly contest English’s dominance in business and on the Internet, not to mention its prominence in diplomacy. But to suggest that the language game is over and that English has permanently secured a position at the top ignores reality – especially in an evolving world of emerging powers.

Besides, there is much more to foreign languages than simply communication. Most significantly, foreign-language training and knowledge broaden one’s awareness of the world, from history to culture. That, in turn, promotes understanding and encourages respect for others; today’s tumultuous environment could use more of both. In addition, the study of foreign languages sharpens one’s intellect. Further, it provides a distinct advantage, facilitating business, travel, diplomacy, education, cultural exchanges and entertainment (from films to books).

Thus, the candidates should do more than occasionally visit the foreign-language question. In a rapidly shrinking, increasingly interdependent world, Americans should be fluent in at least one other language. Political leadership, especially at the presidential level, can make it happen.