...should have been spent in dichotomous discussion, and then analysis of our class discussions.
2. The discourse that took place in class on Tuesday was significantly different than today. What factors do you think were involved in the difference? Did you learn or think more on one of the days? Why?
I chose to answer the second question, since it seems that no one chose to approach it. Not that English Plus is not an interesting question (I'm actually all for English+); I just found the latter to be more worthwhile for me.
After consideration, I think that, in many ways, Tuesday set the stage for Thursday; we had been brought to the brink, so to speak, and were now facing the question in a more naked and intuitive way. We were ready to think critically about the issue, and to speak critically.
However, I believe another factor in the major shift between classes was the moderation by Tiffany. Her intervention fashioned our rag-tag blurts and shouts, into a conditioned, tempered , effective and affective forum, where, as far as I can estimate, communication occurred with actual consideration of the issues by both sides, even if it did not result in any sort of unanimous opinion being formed.
I can't say with any degree of certainty whether I learned anything new or not, but I absolutely know that my mind was going off with "fireworks" like the Fourth of July; it kept whirring like the wheels and gears of a machine, and I felt a bit of a intellectual "high". Perhaps this seems "lame" or "nerdy" to some of you who read it, but it was an exciting class, and it was probably one of my favorites for this semester.
Oh, yeah, and I'm against English-only initiatives, and always will be. :-D
Showing posts with label November 8--English as an Official Language. Show all posts
Showing posts with label November 8--English as an Official Language. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Only English - Not An Act of Unyson
I do not think that all languages should become “official” languages in the US. On the other hand, the proposal of making English the official language of the US is unnecessary; it creates divisiveness and disunity. If 97% of people of the United States speak English, it is obvious that English is here to stay--there is no threat to it and no need to make it official!
At the same time, I support the approach that if there is a certain percentage of immigrants in a specific region, accommodation by government agencies to ensure their understanding of services and their rights is an moral obligation.
A lot of immigrants want to learn to speak English, and many of them are trying very hard. But the reality is that when someone comes to this country as an adult, it is not as easy task to learn to speak English. These people should be given the opportunity to understand what is available to them for paying taxes and being law-abiding individuals.
It is also true that being exposed to foreign languages makes people of a specific country more knowledgeable, more open-minded and skilled to become part of the process of globalization; therefore, I would fully support the English-Plus proposal. In fact, it will make the US a more cultured society. Learning a foreign language opens up more horizons and an array of possibilities as well as it makes the individual more sensitive to diversity.
Jairo Toro
At the same time, I support the approach that if there is a certain percentage of immigrants in a specific region, accommodation by government agencies to ensure their understanding of services and their rights is an moral obligation.
A lot of immigrants want to learn to speak English, and many of them are trying very hard. But the reality is that when someone comes to this country as an adult, it is not as easy task to learn to speak English. These people should be given the opportunity to understand what is available to them for paying taxes and being law-abiding individuals.
It is also true that being exposed to foreign languages makes people of a specific country more knowledgeable, more open-minded and skilled to become part of the process of globalization; therefore, I would fully support the English-Plus proposal. In fact, it will make the US a more cultured society. Learning a foreign language opens up more horizons and an array of possibilities as well as it makes the individual more sensitive to diversity.
Jairo Toro
Language Plus Response to Carlene
Your sentence “It just makes us more diverse.” caught my attention. Diversity is the name of the game in these kinds of conversations. I believe that cultural exchanges give opportunities to think outside the box and to explore our true “humanness” Recognizing our social similarities and differences with the use of language can lead us to also recognize the similarities and differences of our human nature. This is only possible if challenged to look through a different lense.
Oh la la! Oui oui :)
Oh la la! Oui oui :)
Language Plus Response to Jake
No danger of floods here! Well said. Promoting English Plus in elementary schools would help bridge the gap and encourage children to feel part of society early on. Multi-lingualism would certainly give the average person more chances to be able to compete in the so-called “inevitable” global market.
Everyone agrees that English is the dominant language in the economic market, but in order to truly communicate one should at least be familiar with and experience other ways of thinking. The economic inequalities are getting greater and greater, and since language is power then adopting another tongue will empower the one that chooses to do so
Everyone agrees that English is the dominant language in the economic market, but in order to truly communicate one should at least be familiar with and experience other ways of thinking. The economic inequalities are getting greater and greater, and since language is power then adopting another tongue will empower the one that chooses to do so
English Plus
1.) The discussion this week on English opened my eyes to the positive and negative affects having English as an official language. My position on English is that it should be the official language. I prefer English plus in the U.S. My stance on this issue is that we started this coutry with the English language. I personally feel a pride that comes along with being an American and speaking English. I beleive that no matter what country you live in that people should learn that dominant language if they want to be a part of that society. I do beleive that it is appropriate to have systems in place to help those people who do not speak english.
2.) The discourse that took place on Tuesday was different in my opinion because many people spoke their mind without filtering any of their thoughts. This raised a lot of conflict in the class that made the discourse very different. On thursday we all had a chance to think some of the issues through and speak our thoughts while keeping other in mind. I also think that because the class was circled up rather than sitting towards the teacher, it created a discussion rather than a debate. Having a circle enforced that we listening to all opinions and to be respectful. I personally learned more on thursday because I felt like the discussion was more open. At the same time I did not speak much, so I was very aware of what was going on as well as listening carefully.
2.) The discourse that took place on Tuesday was different in my opinion because many people spoke their mind without filtering any of their thoughts. This raised a lot of conflict in the class that made the discourse very different. On thursday we all had a chance to think some of the issues through and speak our thoughts while keeping other in mind. I also think that because the class was circled up rather than sitting towards the teacher, it created a discussion rather than a debate. Having a circle enforced that we listening to all opinions and to be respectful. I personally learned more on thursday because I felt like the discussion was more open. At the same time I did not speak much, so I was very aware of what was going on as well as listening carefully.
English Plus
After the week of discussion about English only, I found that I actually really liked the English Plus proposal. America is behind on knowing more than one language, and I feel that is to our disadvantage many times. There are many benefits to knowing more than one language, and if children are required to learn a second, it could help them out in other academic areas. Also, if many people speak two languages, maybe they could then see that having other languages present in American culture wouldn't ruin it, or make it unamerican. It just makes us more diverse. A little culuture in everyones lives wouldn't be that bad of a thing to happen to America.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
English Plus
English is so widely used today that I feel there is no need to change the laws of this country to protect it from the 'dangerous floods' of linguistic variety. We as a society should not amend our constitution to promote ignorance of culture, it would make more sense to promote english plus in elementary schools and have everyone eventually be multi-lingual. For immigrants this would be extremely beneficial, they would have the attainable means for learning english and they would not be quite as alienated from society when they first arrive in the USA.
November 8 -- English as an Official Language
I honestly don’t know if making English the only official language is the best way to go. I do think that a common language has a greater chance to unite communities. English spoken by the majority of people is meant (in theory, not always the case) to give all inhabitants a voice. In the Bill of rights’ amendment, the freedoms of speech, is guaranteed to all so that people can participate in political and social decisions making regarding issues that affects their daily lives.
I fully support educational programs which would enable non native speakers to proficiently learn the language of the dominant bloc. This would integrate people in all levels of social matters, which would in turn increase mutual understanding of opinions and values. Providing printed material and translators to speakers a foreign language should be offered since the U.S. is and has always been a country of immigrants.
One of the questions discussed in class was “Should we spend money to teach people to speak English?” According to Wikipedia.org, the President’s budget for 2007 is $2.8 trillion and we spend about 89, 9 billion on education and training. Perhaps we could take a closer look at the nation’s spending to determine how much can be spend on educating those of us that do not speak English and yet pay their taxes. This “money pool” where we all put our money in should provide all of us with access to education tailored to each one’s needs.
I fully support educational programs which would enable non native speakers to proficiently learn the language of the dominant bloc. This would integrate people in all levels of social matters, which would in turn increase mutual understanding of opinions and values. Providing printed material and translators to speakers a foreign language should be offered since the U.S. is and has always been a country of immigrants.
One of the questions discussed in class was “Should we spend money to teach people to speak English?” According to Wikipedia.org, the President’s budget for 2007 is $2.8 trillion and we spend about 89, 9 billion on education and training. Perhaps we could take a closer look at the nation’s spending to determine how much can be spend on educating those of us that do not speak English and yet pay their taxes. This “money pool” where we all put our money in should provide all of us with access to education tailored to each one’s needs.
The Cosmopolis is a Tower of Babel
I will state in brief that I am opposed to making English or any other language official in the legal sense. I believe the official postion of the United States Government should be one of neutrality, as in matters of religion. Any national legislation of language I believe is unnecessary and destructive. The issue of whether a document should be published in other languages should be decided on as local a level as possible, for reasons pragmatic and expedient, and not a matter of symbolic politics ("our language is officially recognized or legally enforced, and therefore we are an important and powerful group", etc.).
The best argument put forth by the Official English advocates is usually some variant of the "Tower of Babel". This states that a society needs one language shared by all, at least in public matters if not in private, in order to function efficiently and coherently. I think these people misunderstand the causality between language and civil society. Do we associate because we have a common language, or do we have a common language because we associate? I think it is the latter.
In the LSA's resolution on "English Only", Geoff Nunberg states, "American unity has never rested primarily on unity of language, but rather on common political and social ideals." True, and I would add that unity of language derives not from political ideals but rather practical social goals held in common: in a word, commerce. From Marckwardt's American English we learn that most foreign words enter the lexicon from some form of trade. Most cosmopolitan and multilingual cities throughout history have been centers of trade. This is how languages change. It is the reason native English speakers are not speaking a minor variant of German, and native Spanish speakers aren't speaking Latin.
The best argument put forth by the Official English advocates is usually some variant of the "Tower of Babel". This states that a society needs one language shared by all, at least in public matters if not in private, in order to function efficiently and coherently. I think these people misunderstand the causality between language and civil society. Do we associate because we have a common language, or do we have a common language because we associate? I think it is the latter.
In the LSA's resolution on "English Only", Geoff Nunberg states, "American unity has never rested primarily on unity of language, but rather on common political and social ideals." True, and I would add that unity of language derives not from political ideals but rather practical social goals held in common: in a word, commerce. From Marckwardt's American English we learn that most foreign words enter the lexicon from some form of trade. Most cosmopolitan and multilingual cities throughout history have been centers of trade. This is how languages change. It is the reason native English speakers are not speaking a minor variant of German, and native Spanish speakers aren't speaking Latin.
Official Language of the U.S.
I could go either way on this debate. I think that English, being the dominant language in the U.S. could be made official which may encourage more people to learn it and practice it. On the other hand, removing all other languages may cause problems for the minorities that are growing everyday. Working at a bar where mexicans work in the kitchen and dont know much english, makes it fun for me to learn more and they get excited as well to try and speak english. I believe if we had more community centers that would teach english to the willing, at no cost could be very beneficial to those that dont have the money to learn it on their own. It's hard for me to pick a side because I can relate to both in some way.
freedom of language!
There seems to be a debate going on that I can't get fully on either side of. I think languages can be viewed as similar to religions, and I don't think either should be strictly enforced by a government.
That is to recognize that everyone has their own version with their own meanings, and even for their own reasons. And, some people interpret certain ones to be superior to others, and some heavily advocate that theirs is for everyone. But, the only actual authority that language and religion have are in the numbers of people practicing any specific one.
I don't support any effort to try to fill the needs of a small minority. If 98% of a community speaks English and the other 2% are a mixture of languages with speakers in the .0-something percent range, than the official language of that community is English, no law is even needed. I don't think that community is responsible to put street signs up in anything but English.
But, if there is an area that has a population speaking something like a 60/40 ratio of two languages then I think that it becomes important to use the amount of communication it takes to communicate with a large majority of the population. Maybe the constitution should be made available in that other language. I think official language use would be best decided at a local level. Our large federal government does not have any place telling a local community to use English.
Also, I don't necessarily think that a place needs to be an English speaking place to be a part of the United States. I think I could be in support of places like Puerto Rico becoming actual states, if the local people wanted it first. And, I don't think that places in the southwest that have a high percentage of Spanish speakers should secede from the United States because of their language. But, I think it does put more responsibility on the government to be accountable for providing necessary communication to the people of that area.
So I guess to me, making any language the official one by law, would be similar to making a law for an official god. It is definitely not as clean cut as the separation of church and state idea. But, I do think language use SHOULD BE a choice that everyone is entitled to make on their own terms.
That is to recognize that everyone has their own version with their own meanings, and even for their own reasons. And, some people interpret certain ones to be superior to others, and some heavily advocate that theirs is for everyone. But, the only actual authority that language and religion have are in the numbers of people practicing any specific one.
I don't support any effort to try to fill the needs of a small minority. If 98% of a community speaks English and the other 2% are a mixture of languages with speakers in the .0-something percent range, than the official language of that community is English, no law is even needed. I don't think that community is responsible to put street signs up in anything but English.
But, if there is an area that has a population speaking something like a 60/40 ratio of two languages then I think that it becomes important to use the amount of communication it takes to communicate with a large majority of the population. Maybe the constitution should be made available in that other language. I think official language use would be best decided at a local level. Our large federal government does not have any place telling a local community to use English.
Also, I don't necessarily think that a place needs to be an English speaking place to be a part of the United States. I think I could be in support of places like Puerto Rico becoming actual states, if the local people wanted it first. And, I don't think that places in the southwest that have a high percentage of Spanish speakers should secede from the United States because of their language. But, I think it does put more responsibility on the government to be accountable for providing necessary communication to the people of that area.
So I guess to me, making any language the official one by law, would be similar to making a law for an official god. It is definitely not as clean cut as the separation of church and state idea. But, I do think language use SHOULD BE a choice that everyone is entitled to make on their own terms.
Friday, November 9, 2007
English as an Official Language
Question for all,
If other languages are used in civic and educational discourses, does that mean that they too become "official" languages in the US?
Please let me know what your thoughts are.
Thank you - Merci - Gracias - dankie - chokrane - toda - dhanyavad - akun - spas - khob chai - takk - dziękuję - hvala - dakujem - mauruuru - ขอบคุณคะ - ngiyabonga - a dank
:)
If other languages are used in civic and educational discourses, does that mean that they too become "official" languages in the US?
Please let me know what your thoughts are.
Thank you - Merci - Gracias - dankie - chokrane - toda - dhanyavad - akun - spas - khob chai - takk - dziękuję - hvala - dakujem - mauruuru - ขอบคุณคะ - ngiyabonga - a dank
:)
I believe and always will that English should be the official language in the US. It has been the language in use for over 200 years. It is the language of power and let's not use this term or interpret it as a forceful or dictating act. Some may See it that way but than we will have to argue the same towards other nations that are diverse in culture and language. We can't go in people's home and start barking at them and demanding changes because you feel out of place or don't feel included. We are a nation of immigrants no argument there however and don't recall any arguments from the German descendants or British or Irish or Dutch or French that they wanted their languages to be used in the drawing of official papers or special accommodations. All these great cultures integrated and became this great nation. We have accepted the fact that we are all descendants from either Europeans, Asians, Africans etc..........., that's why we celebrate our heritage with the Irish festival or the Oktoberfest and many more. I never heard any type of indignation on the part of descendants from any of these groups, and trust me i have been to them all, on how frustrated and mad they were because Greek or Swedish or German was not being used. NEVER on the contrary they are proud Americans and proud of their language.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
November 8--English as an Official Language
Hi all,
Here are the questions for the week (choose one):
1. Based on the discussions this week, what is your position on English as an official language? Do you prefer English Only, English Plus, or no policy on English in the U.S?
2. The discourse that took place in class on Tuesday was significantly different than today. What factors do you think were involved in the difference? Did you learn or think more on one of the days? Why?
Thanks,
Tiffany
Here are the questions for the week (choose one):
1. Based on the discussions this week, what is your position on English as an official language? Do you prefer English Only, English Plus, or no policy on English in the U.S?
2. The discourse that took place in class on Tuesday was significantly different than today. What factors do you think were involved in the difference? Did you learn or think more on one of the days? Why?
Thanks,
Tiffany
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)