Getting wrapped up in the whole immigration debate is the role that the English language plays in terms of culture, common sense and the law. Read article here from the Wall Street Journal’s online edition on legislation that would protect employers from prosecution were they to terminate a worker’s employment for not using English on the job.
Unfortunately, the article does not provide enough details for the exact reason why the Salvation Army fired two of its employees in the case that inspired the legislation. Were these employees fired because they were speaking Spanish among themselves or refusing to address customers in English? This is an important distinction that needs to be determined before judgement can be passed. (Besides, if the Salvation Army knew these people had sub-standard English skills, why did they hire them in the first place?)
At any rate, we are generally skeptical of these English-only related laws which along with school prayer and the Flag burning amendment seem to be pet causes in social-conservative circles.
Don’t be mistaken. We are huge fans of assimilation and the chairman of Azteca America, a Spanish-language TV station that broadcasts here in the States, agrees with us. Luis Echarte’s station will be broadcasting select programming in English because in his words: “In order to survive and get better jobs, they (his customers) have to learn basic English.” Right on, Luis! (Read article here from the local fish wrap). Live Better, Speak English. How’s that for a bumper-sticker issue?
And this common sense reason for speaking English here is why we are not fans of making English the official language of this country. We always took it as a point of pride that the most diverse nation on the face of the planet did not have an official language. We didn’t need an official language – it was always just assumed that in order to assimilate and to make a better life for one’s self and one’s family, one would learn how to speak the language of currency in the public arena.
And unfortunately, because of the situation this country has put itself in, any of these English-only laws do appear reactionary and do assume a nativist air about them. To wit, would this language culture war we are currently in be anywhere near the size and intensity it is if this country never made that fateful decision to print other-than-English ballots? We suspect it would not. A historical legacy of English-only ballots from day-one would be a strong but unspoken nod to a culture of assimilation in this country: If you want to participate in the most basic act of democracy in this country then it behooves you to learn our language.
Well, that ship sailed a long time ago and now we are in this current mess. But as much as we are skeptical of English-only laws and resolutions we have nothing but contempt for those who oppose them on the basis of cultural preservation, diversity or any other thinly-veiled anti-American and/or racist anti-white sentiment. The only thing these people wish to preserve is a third-world culture of victimology and generation-to-generation poverty among their “constituents”.
We know it will probably never happen, but we would strongly support a gradual phasing-out of other-than-English voting ballots. This would appear to be the least imposing but strongest practical and symbolic statement that this country could make towards a culture of harmonious diversity through assimilation. Now how’s that for some nice PC gobble-de-gook we can turn right back around on’em?
E Pluribus Unum, baby - E Pluribus Unum.
Unfortunately, the article does not provide enough details for the exact reason why the Salvation Army fired two of its employees in the case that inspired the legislation. Were these employees fired because they were speaking Spanish among themselves or refusing to address customers in English? This is an important distinction that needs to be determined before judgement can be passed. (Besides, if the Salvation Army knew these people had sub-standard English skills, why did they hire them in the first place?)
At any rate, we are generally skeptical of these English-only related laws which along with school prayer and the Flag burning amendment seem to be pet causes in social-conservative circles.
Don’t be mistaken. We are huge fans of assimilation and the chairman of Azteca America, a Spanish-language TV station that broadcasts here in the States, agrees with us. Luis Echarte’s station will be broadcasting select programming in English because in his words: “In order to survive and get better jobs, they (his customers) have to learn basic English.” Right on, Luis! (Read article here from the local fish wrap). Live Better, Speak English. How’s that for a bumper-sticker issue?
And this common sense reason for speaking English here is why we are not fans of making English the official language of this country. We always took it as a point of pride that the most diverse nation on the face of the planet did not have an official language. We didn’t need an official language – it was always just assumed that in order to assimilate and to make a better life for one’s self and one’s family, one would learn how to speak the language of currency in the public arena.
And unfortunately, because of the situation this country has put itself in, any of these English-only laws do appear reactionary and do assume a nativist air about them. To wit, would this language culture war we are currently in be anywhere near the size and intensity it is if this country never made that fateful decision to print other-than-English ballots? We suspect it would not. A historical legacy of English-only ballots from day-one would be a strong but unspoken nod to a culture of assimilation in this country: If you want to participate in the most basic act of democracy in this country then it behooves you to learn our language.
Well, that ship sailed a long time ago and now we are in this current mess. But as much as we are skeptical of English-only laws and resolutions we have nothing but contempt for those who oppose them on the basis of cultural preservation, diversity or any other thinly-veiled anti-American and/or racist anti-white sentiment. The only thing these people wish to preserve is a third-world culture of victimology and generation-to-generation poverty among their “constituents”.
We know it will probably never happen, but we would strongly support a gradual phasing-out of other-than-English voting ballots. This would appear to be the least imposing but strongest practical and symbolic statement that this country could make towards a culture of harmonious diversity through assimilation. Now how’s that for some nice PC gobble-de-gook we can turn right back around on’em?
E Pluribus Unum, baby - E Pluribus Unum.
(picture is of flag at the Mt. Soledad War Memorial here in San Diego)
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3 comments:
As you said, we have fostered non-english speaking people by making everything bi-lingual for so long, that I fear it is too late, without legislation, to try and assimilate them to the english language. Make English the offical Language, get rid of bi-lingual documents, (with a grace period of course) and if people don't like it, don't let the border hit them on the way out.
I think once we phase-out OTE ballots, things will start taking care of themselves whether or not "English" is officially recognized.
No Shirt. No Shoes. No Dice. -Spicoli
No Camisa. No Zapatos. No Trabajo. - Mongo
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