Returning a value from a function

well I have a function in my index.swf that goes like this


function getLanguage(language):String {
var sLang:String = language;
return sLang;
}

and I have an external swf that gives a value to language when a button is pressed


//....
_root.getLanguage("eng");

my question is how can I make other external swfs get the value of sLang?

I’ve tried doing


//...
if (_root.getLanguage() == "eng") { //obviously that returns undefined
//also tried _root.getLanguage == "eng" but that doesn't return anything
//....